Nara Park

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Nara Park

A popular park in Japan.

4.38 25

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Supervised by :  Nara Park

Nara Park is a scenic area surrounded by historical and cultural treasures, including Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kohfukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, the Nara National Museum, and Shoso-in. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of its expansive greenery while exploring these iconic landmarks. The park is located in the center of the city, making it easily accessible to various tourist spots.

The vast Nara Park spans approximately 511 hectares, extending to include the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a Special Natural Monument. The park is also home to wild deer, designated as a Natural Monument under the name "Nara no Shika" (Nara Deer). These deer have grown accustomed to people, and visitors can enjoy feeding them with special "shika senbei" (deer crackers), which are available for purchase. Note: Feeding them anything other than deer crackers is strictly prohibited!

Nara Park also hosts various events throughout the year, adding to its charm. One of the most spectacular is the Wakakusa Yamayaki, where the night sky is dramatically illuminated by the burning of Mt. Wakakusa. For event schedules and details about Nara Park and its surroundings, visitors can check the official website, "Nara Park Quick Guide", which features an annual event calendar—a useful resource for planning a trip.

Highlights

  • Located in the center of the city with easy access, you can enjoy the rich nature.
  • There are many historical and cultural heritage sites around the city.
  • One of the park’s unique features is the presence of wild deer, which roam freely in and around the area.
  • Although deer are accustomed to people, they are wild animals and should be treated with caution due to their spontaneous behavior.
  • Be mindful of park etiquette—make sure to take your trash with you and enjoy responsibly.

Photos

  • Deer in Nara Park

    Deer in Nara Park

  • You can also enjoy feeding the deer

    You can also enjoy feeding the deer

Reviews

25

Some reviews are AI-translated.

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    Nara Park really is a place that represents the scenery and atmosphere of Japan. If you visit Nara on a weekday, I highly recommend coming by train. There are relatively fewer tourists, making the whole trip more leisurely and comfortable.

    After arriving at the station, there’s a charming shopping street on the right. If you’re hungry, you can first find somewhere to eat and browse the small shops. If you want to head straight to Todaiji Temple, follow the main road on the left. You’ll gradually start encountering sika deer along the way. Although it takes a little while to walk there, the scenery is beautiful, the streets are pleasant and lively, and there are plenty of shops to browse at your own pace. Another route takes you past Kohfukuji Temple first, and after walking through the temple grounds, you’ll enter Nara Park.

    When more and more sika deer start appearing in front of you, it means you’re almost at Todaiji Temple! *Something that felt special about this visit was that, unlike what I remembered from before, the deer weren’t all gathered around Todaiji Temple. Instead, they were scattered throughout the park, strolling around at their leisure, which made the overall atmosphere feel much more relaxed.

    Of course, there’s one small thing to keep in mind at Nara Park: watch out for the “deer poop” underfoot! And if you buy deer crackers to feed them, you really need to be prepared. The moment they see food, they’ll all rush over at once. So this time, I just watched other people feed them, haha〜

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    When feeding the deer crackers, remember to hold on to them securely, and keep an eye on the deer around you so you aren't startled by their sudden enthusiasm. I highly recommend setting aside half a day to walk around here. It's a spot near Osaka where both adults and children can have a great time!

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    What I was looking forward to most in Nara was Nara Park! As soon as I entered the park, I saw so many deer wandering around. Some were leisurely grazing, while others walked right up to visitors to ask for deer crackers. They weren't afraid of people at all.

    Feeding the deer up close for the first time was both exciting and nerve-racking. As soon as I held out the deer crackers, I was surrounded. The deer also kept nodding their heads as if to say, “Give me another one!”

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    Nara Park is much bigger than I imagined, and once you enter, you can see deer everywhere. Some walk slowly along the roadside, some lie on the grass to rest, and others stand right next to visitors, as if they're already used to everyone coming to see them. The park has many tall trees and green lawns, along with old buildings and stone lanterns. It's very pleasant to walk around, and the whole atmosphere is relaxing.

    When you visit Nara Park, you have to buy deer crackers to feed the deer. It's practically become a must-do activity. When you first get the crackers, you may think the deer are cute and gentle, but as soon as they notice you have food, they'll immediately come over. Some keep staring at you, while others may follow you, nudge you with their heads, or bite your clothes to hurry you into handing over the crackers.

    Be a little careful when feeding them, because more and more deer may gather nearby, and before you know it, you can be surrounded. Although it can be startling when a deer suddenly approaches, it's still fun to watch them eat. When you're done, open your hands to show them there's no food left, and they'll usually slowly walk away.

    Besides feeding the deer, it's also pleasant to stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery. Overall, Nara Park is a great place to explore at a leisurely pace, and it also lets you experience Nara's distinctive history and culture.

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    This vast open park is not only a free-roaming paradise for more than a thousand wild Nara deer, but is also surrounded by many world-class historical sites. As you stroll along the lush approach, you can encounter the clever deer at any moment. Buy a pack of special deer crackers, and you'll instantly become the most popular person around. Watching them politely bow while also seeming a little impatient as you feed them is truly both adorable and amusing.
    Besides interacting with the deer, the area around the park is home to the magnificent Todaiji Temple, with its enormous Great Buddha, the mysterious Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and scenic Sarusawa Pond. Whether you're walking along stone lantern paths beneath towering ancient trees or sitting on the grass enjoying the sunshine, every corner is rich in culture and nature.
    I highly recommend setting aside half a day to a full day for Nara Park when visiting Kansai. Whether you plan a relaxing walk or fully enjoy interacting with the deer, it will definitely leave you with soothing and wonderful memories of your trip!

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Details

Name in Japanese
奈良公園
Postal Code
630-0000
Address
Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Tel
0742-22-0375 (Nara Park Office)
Admission
Free
*Please refer to the official website for information on admission fees for each facility.
Regular Closures
None
*Please check the official website for the regular closing days of each facility.
Access
About 5 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa