Nara Park
Nara Park

in Autumn

Nara Park

in Autumn

Nara Park 01
Nara Park 02
Nara Park 03

Deers

Nara Park

奈良公園

Nara Park

奈良公園

Nara Park is what many think of as "Nara." Stretching over about eight square kilometers, it encompasses major sites like Todaiji Temple, Kohfukuji Temple and Kasugataisha Shrine, along with museums and almost 1,200 deer. The approach to Todaiji Temple is lined with cafes and souvenir stores, as well as rickshaws (jinrikisha) and their drivers, eager to take you on a tour of the area.

There is a legend that in AD768, the first of the four gods of Kasugataisha Shrine was invited down from Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture just North of Tokyo. The deity traveled all the way to Mt Mikasa on a white deer. Thereafter, deer were considered sacred, and killing one was punishable by death. After WWII, the deer were officially stripped of their sacred status, but are still protected in Nara.
Although they are essentially wild, they are partial to the “shika senbei” or deer crackers, which is the only food tourists should give them. They can be pushy if you are holding crackers, but if you have no food, they will usually leave you alone.

The park itself offers pleasant strolling paths with plum and cherry blossoms in the spring and beautiful multi-colored leaves in the autumn. Just outside the park, the view over Sarusawa Pond (at the top of Sanjo Dori) towards the pagoda of Kohfukuji Temple is beautiful, especially around sunset.

KANSAI NARA Treasure Travel

An unforgettable tour of Kansai: Kyoto to Nara to Osaka

NaraExperience.com

Deer Gathering at Nara Park

Last update: 2023-11-09

Venue Details & Access Info
Address

469 Zoshicho, Nara

奈良市雑司町469

Access

From Kintetsu Nara Station:
- 5 minutes on the foot from the station.
From JR Nara Station:
- 15 minutes on the foot from the station.

Related EventsBasara Festival
Deer Antler Cutting
Nara Rurie
Nara Tokae
Nara Park Baby Deer
Light-up Promenade Nara
Rokuen
Shikayose
Summer Shikayose
Yamatoji Winter Shikayose

Name/address in local language

  • 奈良公園 Nara Park
  • address 奈良市雑司町469 469 Zoshicho, Nara
  • Address
Contact Details
Tel

0742-22-0375

results

Filter
  • Opening day
  • Budget
  • [[::o.name]]
  • [[::o.name]]