Nara Park: Where Deer Roam Free

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Discover ancient temples, serene gardens, and friendly wild deer in Nara Park, a historic treasure in the heart of Nara, Japan.

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Nara Park

Nara Park is a spacious public park in Nara, Japan, known for its friendly wild sika deer that roam freely. Established in 1880, the park is also home to significant cultural landmarks like Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The deer, considered messengers of the gods, are a major attraction, and visitors can purchase special crackers to feed them.

A brief summary to Nara Park

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Nara Park.

Buy deer crackers (shika senbei) to feed the deer, but be aware that they can be eager and persistent.
Visit during the daytime to fully appreciate the park's attractions, as many temples and museums have limited hours.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the park is large and requires a good amount of walking.
Be respectful of the deer and avoid teasing them, as they are still wild animals.
Check out the traditional Japanese gardens, such as Isuien and Yoshikien, for a peaceful escape.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

Todaiji Honbo (Abbot's Quaeters, Temple Office)

Todaiji Honbo: A Spiritual Sanctuary in Nara

Todaiji Nandaimon (Great South Gate)

The Majestic Great South Gate of Todaiji

Todai-ji Museum

Explore the Cultural Treasures of Todai-ji Museum

Getting There

Walking

From Kintetsu Nara Station, Nara Park is a short 5-minute walk. Exit the station and turn right, walking east. You'll soon see the entrance to Kofukuji Temple on your right, followed by the park entrance. From JR Nara Station, walk east along Sanjo Dori Street for about 20 minutes until you reach the park. Sanjo Dori is a broad shopping street that's easy to recognize. No cost for walking.
Public Transport

From JR Nara Station's East Exit, take the Nara City Loop Bus #2 from bus stop 2. The fare is ¥210 for adults and ¥110 for children. The bus will take you to Nara Park in about 10 minutes. From the west exit of Kintetsu Nara Station, cross to the northern side of the street and catch the number #2 bus service from bus stop 1. There is a flat fare for adults of 210 yen and 110 yen for children.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available outside the East exit of JR Nara Station. The taxi fare to Nara Park is approximately ¥730 and the journey takes around 8 minutes. From the West Exit taxi ramp at Kintetsu Nara Station, the base fare is ¥660 for the first 1.5 kilometers, with an additional ¥90 for every 307 meters thereafter.

Discover more about Nara Park

Nara Park, established in 1880, is a sprawling public park at the foot of Mount Wakakusa in Nara, Japan. The park covers approximately 660 hectares and is one of the oldest parks in Japan. It is home to several of Nara's main attractions, including Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the Nara National Museum.The park is most famous for its over 1,200 wild sika deer that freely roam the grounds. These deer are considered messengers of the gods, stemming from a legend that Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine, arrived in Nara on a white deer. Until 1637, killing a deer was punishable by death. Today, the deer are protected as a natural treasure. Visitors can purchase special deer crackers (shika senbei) to feed the deer, making for a unique and memorable experience.Nara Park offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The park's landscape includes temples, unspoiled woods, and a lake filled with turtles and carp. The temples and shrines in Nara are much older and more unique than those in Kyoto. The park is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season in the spring.