Japan is known for its weirdness, quirkiness, and as a place for new experiences, but nothing can prepare you for your first time at Nara Park, where a thousand curious wild deer roam free around you!!
In the Japanese Shinto religion, deer are considered to be messengers of the gods, and this is still reflected today by the respect and protection given to the deer of Nara.
The deer have become quite used to visitors, and most stay around the park despite being free and not fenced in whatsoever. They are curious and friendly, especially if you are carrying "deer crackers" that can be bought in the park to feed to these guys!
But watch out! With these crackers, or any other food in your hand, you will quickly become surrounded by eager deer looking for a snack!! I even saw one trying to eat someone's map!!
Aside from the wild deer, which have become a symbol of the town, the park is also the home of stunning historical temples, all of which can be explored in a beautiful natural setting!
The Tōdai-ji Temple is one of the most famous and historically important temples of Japan! Constructed to be a head Buddhist temple in 752, it's main hall is currently the world's largest wooden building! For me however, the most memorable part was the 15m tall bronze Buddha statue that this hall contains! Looking up and marvelling at this statue leaves you with an impressed, but deeply peaceful feeling.
Another highlight for me was the Kasuga Taisha shrine. Dedicated to the deity responsible for protecting the city of Nara, what sets this shrines apart are the lanterns; hundreds of bronze lanterns hang from it's buildings, and many stone lanterns line the path you walk to reach this shrine.
Following a path lined by these historical lanterns, combined with the presence of the deer here give this walk an atmosphere like no other.
Nara is located within an hour of Kyoto and Osaka, in the Kansai region, and is easily accessed by the train. A short walk through the little town will bring you right to Nara Park, where you can easily spend days visiting the many temple and museums, or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
So, by now you've probably made the same conclusion; Nara is like nowhere else in the world!!
Interacting with these wild deer in a natural setting is just incredible, and on top of this, you can experience several UNESCO listed Buddhist temples and beautiful Japanese gardens!
Nara was the highlight of my trip to Japan, and I could have spent days here experiencing the unique atmosphere and exploring all the temples and museums! Seeing so many deer free in the park is nothing short of incredible, and I know your jaw will drop here just like mine did!!
If you've visited the friendly deer of Nara, tell me about it below!!
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