Japan has exactly what every visitor is looking for. If you feel the need to look for something completely new and probably unique next to all the skyscrapers or temples in Tokyo and Osaka, we can recommend a visit to Nara Park .
Just under an hour by train from Kyoto is the city, which is probably nowhere else to be found. Typically Japanese, there are of course a few enchanting temples like Tōdai-ji, Kasuga-Taisha or Kōfuku-ji. But most visitors actually come for a different reason.
The Nara Park is with its 8km² the home of over 1’200 wild deer. Already on the 20 minute walk from the train station towards the park you will see one or the other deer in the middle of the road.
Magical!
Arrived at Nara Park you can’t believe it’s really happening. Left, right, front, back. Deer all around you! Almost has something of the movie Bambi. The deer are incredibly sweet and leave you alone for now. They are generally relatively well accustomed to daily human visits and do not harm anyone. The male deer also have their horns clipped every year so they don’t hurt anyone. Don’t worry, everything here is very animal friendly and no animal gets hurt in the process.
If you want to get a little closer to the deer, you should also offer them something to eat. They love dry cookies and rice cakes. You can also buy the latter at several locations in Nara Park. You should be a little careful when feeding them, as the deer are still wild animals. As soon as they notice that you have something to eat, they circle you from all sides and do not let up until they really realize that you have nothing left in your hands. It can also happen that male deer try to nudge you with their horns out of pure instinct. But since these are shortened, nothing should happen to you.
Nara Park certainly offers visitors an unforgettable experience and is a must-see for any visitor to Japan. It is certainly important to remember to treat the animals with love and respect. Thus, it is possible to experience a wonderful day that will surely remain in your memory forever.
Nara is perfectly located to visit during a day trip from Kyoto. Therefore, it is not necessary to book a room on site. Prices are per person.
Train (from Kyoto): $22 / return
Ticket: $5 / event
