Nara Park

We really enjoyed Nara park, just a tip don't feed the deeds that are hanging around where the crackers are, they're the hungry ones and they can bite! Buy your crackers, put them away and move into the park and approach the relaxed deer 😆

We travelled from Kyoto to Nara Park. There were deer everywhere. Hundreds of them. Super friendly deer too. We all loved the experience. So cute how they bow for food too. Highly recommend making a trip there.

Nara Park is a really fun place to visit. There are deer walking around everywhere and you can see them up close. You can buy special crackers to feed them for 200 yen, just make sure to bring cash. The deer are very cute, but they can get a bit pushy when they want food. If you bow to them, they bow back. It’s really fun to see! Most of the deer are near the entrance of the park, on the side closest to the station. When we visited, it was very hot, but luckily we could cool down a bit at the nearby shops. We also got stamps, the man at the counter was very friendly. Nara Park is definitely worth a visit. We really enjoyed our half-day there!

Full of deers and there is no where to hide from them. One either runs into a hungry one looking for food , aggressive one wanting to butt / bite , polite one wanting to bow , noisy one singing , calm one sitting under a tree. What you cannot miss is the crowd and the deer poop. Interesting experience but not really a super chill place.

Deer you, what are you waiting for? Visit now! We had so much fun meeting the deers, feeding them, and watching them bow. But what really fascinated me was seeing them crossing the roads! When we were in the highway, they would really wait for their turn, or if there are no cars passing by before they start walking. Nara is such a beautiful, serene place. The train station is near, very accessible to the park.

Lovely animals, wasn’t too busy today. I would absolutely avoid feeding them unless you want your clothes to be bitten at and to be chased. Giving children the deer biscuits is a terrible idea! I had a lovely time just walking around and petting them occasionally

Incredible time. The shrine is one of the most spectacular in Japan and the deer are bonkers. If you have read about the gentle deer bowing to you before you feed them, forget it. It is a great experience feeding the deer, but they are aggressive and will bite your booty if you don't feed them quick enough. It's a lot of fun though.

I visited on 6/11/2025. there is a LOT of deer, so be careful if you buy too many deer biscuits at one go. Probably should go to a different area where there is less deer if you want a calmer feeding session. I felt like I got attacked… but I am fine. However, my heart is not fine, it got stolen by somebody with glasses 😲

Nara Deer Park is an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Japan! It's an incredibly unique and unforgettable experience. Walking amongst the freely roaming deer was truly magical. They are so graceful and curious. A word of caution: While the deer are generally gentle, it's crucial to be mindful. They can become quite assertive, especially if they sense you have food. Keep your snacks securely tucked away and be prepared for a playful (but sometimes a bit pushy) encounter. Despite this, the park is beautifully maintained and offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I highly recommend spending a day here, it's a truly special place.

We spent the morning here on the way from Osaka to Kyoto. You really only need an hour at the park, maybe another hour to visit the market on the way to the park. You hike up a road through the torii gates and towards the end of the first part of the park there is a vendor selling packs of barley crackers to feed the deer with. As soon as you get a pack you have to hide it in your pockets or something, and don't let the deer see where you are hiding them because they will start biting your jacket trying to get to them. You can make the crackers last longer by breaking them in half so that you can feed more deer. The crackers were even too big for some of them, especially the fawns. The deer will start bowing to try to get you to give them the crackers, and some of them will end up following you for more. Just don't start running from them because they will chase after you. We didn't spend too long at the park at all so it doesn't even need to be a half day trip; you really only need a couple hours unless you want to visit the Kasuga Taisha which we didn't do since it started to rain. It was a really fun experience though! I'd come back just to explore the little shops and maybe feed the deer again.

Yelp Review 2025 #32: If you're in Kyoto or Osaka, you need to take a side quest to Nara Park to see the deers. You'll see videos of these cute creatures all over the internet. But are they that cute in real life though? Depending on what time of the day you visit...they're hungry and aggressive in the morning and will chase you and jump if they see you with senbei (crackers). You can buy crackers from vendors in the park. In the afternoon, they're napping, moving slowly or pooping everywhere. You're bound to step on deer droppings so, don't wear white shoes. Tourists need to be trained how to properly bow and give the deers senbei. You simply don't just give crackers right away. You and the deer have to bow and then, the deer gets a cracker. Some tourists try to be slick and make the deers bow and they don't even have crackers for the deers. Deers are considered sacred. You'll notice the deers here don't have antlers (except for that one deer I saw). Their antlers get cut every year I'm assuming to protect people with no common sense that can't read signs warning you that bucks can charge you and to stay away from baby deers because their mom would think their baby's in danger and attack you because that's animal instinct for you. The deers are scattered all over the park. Near shops, temples, museums, crossing the street, chilling under a tree. I'm not big on touching animals that isn't my pet or a friend's pet. Wild animals are smelly and dirty. I'd see tourists petting deers and with the same hand, grab food and eat! No, thanks!

Nara Park is a must-try, and well worth the hype. Even at its busiest, it's so large that it manages to maintain a sense of serenity despite crowds (and I've never seen any here anyway). Bathrooms and benches are plentiful all around, and it's relatively clean. There are lots of sightseeing locations around the park, such as the Kasuga Taisha temple, Ukimido Pavilion, and Nara National Museum. Entry is free and a bundle of 10 crackers (break them into pieces to maximize your deer feeding potential) is 200 yen from the vendors - look for their umbrellas to find them. Of course, the deer are the main attraction. Avoid the male ones (larger with antlers) as those tend to be aggressive and will bite, crowd, or headbutt you for food. You can raise the cracker to have them bow to you (don't tease them and don't forget to bow back!). Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes, and don't forget to check for deer poop underfoot. Otherwise, the deer are abundant everywhere in the park, almost to the point where it's hard NOT to find deer.

This is a popular destination in Japan. We took the train from Osaka to visit the park. Once you enter they have tons of deer just roaming around. The deer bow to you hoping for food. We visited March 2025 and deer crackers availability seemed limited. We had to walk all the way in part of the park where all the small business stalls were. One sold out by noon and we found another further down. Crackers are 200 yen for a package of 10. Be aware the males and older deer are aggressive and will bite and butt you for the crackers. Also when they see you with crackers, they rush you so be prepared. I freaked out a bit and just threw the crackers on the floor. Daughter wanted to try again so second time, we look for younger deers that were away from groups or with a mother. They were more shy and not aggressive. As soon as you are out of frackers, put your hands up in front of you and they seem to understand you have no more. It was quite a unique experience.

Fantastic. The deer here are fed and watered, but the crackers (available for purchase) complete the experience. There's nothing quite like small deer nudging you for a treat, then "bowing" afterward. Interestingly, there are no fences in this large park. Even more interesting is that a large bus terminal sits across the street. Though I saw a few deer roam into the roadway, it just seemed like the norm. Traffic slowed as necessary. Even if you opt to forego the cracker purchase (200 yen), this attraction is a must-see. We spent a couple of hours here, but we could have easily stayed longer.

Visiting Nara Park is a fun 1/2 day trip and easy to reach from Osaka via the Kintetsu-Nara line commuter train. From the station is a short walk up the hill to the park where you will soon be assaulted by hordes of hungry Sika deer that call the park their home. They are the attraction for the city of Nara and there are about 1200 of them roaming the grounds. These deer have grown accustomed to being fed by humans and even adapted some human behaviors, like the signature bow. They are still wild animals though and can get aggressive, especially the bucks. You should only feed them the deer cookies offered for sale at multiple stands around the park. They are made from rice & buckwheat flour for the deer's diet and a pack of 10 is only ¥200 (US$1.33). You should break them up for distribution or they will be gobbled up before you know it. But life is a process and everything that goes in, must come out, so watch out for the deer dookie all over the place, especially the fresh steaming piles. The park is pretty big backed up against the side of a mountain and we saw maybe 20% of it. We also visited the Buddhist temple, where the deer roam freely among the tourists and the Nara National Museum with a lot of historic and religious antiquities.

Very known landmark and tourist attraction site. This park is filled with deer that are not scared of humans. They do not run away when you close by them. They roam free in the park. It seems they have been conditioned to this and they are used to humans as well. One thing that i noticed is that most of the deer bow at you multiple times as a way to beg for food and it seems they been conditioned to this behavior and it shouldn't be natural. The baby deer seem to learn by observing the adults do so. Sad Some of the deer are quite aggressive and they jump into you as soon as they see you holding crackers in front of them. Some of them will bite at your clothes, purse, and whatever you have to find food on you. I saw couple of deer tearing thru people's shopping bags looking for food. Be wary of their aggressive behavior and be mindful of your belongings, and of where you're keeping the crackers The less aggressive deer are the younger ones. The fawn are quite shy and wouldn't approach you even if you have food on your hands. You can get the crackers at multiple places in the park. They are sold by the stores and individual stands. At the time of this review (June 2024) each pack of cracker cost about 200 jpn yen a package that comes about 10 crackers Be wary of the ground bombs they leave on the floor. They can be somehow disgusting and sticky to your feet The park is huge and has temples, terrace, and points that you can explore and hike to. They wont be short of deer. They are basically everywhere inside the park! There is one section of the park that you go up hill and that is quite the hike. It had three zones. The uphill battle was quite hard given it was summer, hot, and sunlight was shining strong on that day. We got to the second zone and we were already tired from the stairmaster. We didnt go to the third zone... The park is about 15 mins by bus from the train station. The bus should take it straight to the park without much need of walking. Follow Google Maps instruction on how to reach there Nara city is reachable by train from either Osaka or Kyoto. It takes approx an hour to both destination. I'd suggest to spend at least half of day in here because there might be much to cover and experience in Nara. Might want to leave enough time to enjoy a nice meal after lots of walking and hiking in Nara Highly recommend this as it could become a once in a lifetime experience : )

Nara is definitely a place to bookmark when you visit Kyoto. So fascinating and interesting worth the trek. Don't miss this one! Waffles for 200yen = $2.00 U.S. was available for vendors for feeding for the deer. Don't feed other items as we were reminded. "Bow" is a familiar word to the friendly deers and they will replicate the people of this nation as they've watched through the centuries. Very dearing to see in person. As you walk through the beautiful grounds filled with deer everywhere, they're all hungry. Visiting the beautiful gardens throughout the various temples nearby was also worth the free walk, self guided tour. Bring your walking shoes, definitely a must throughout this trip. Weather was perfect for us in April 2024 for Japan. Beautiful cherry blossom trees everywhere!

The deer here are so aggressive. They kept biting me and poking me lol. Some of them did do the head bow and that was cute but they are otherwise not afraid of humans. The stack are crackers are about 200 yen each and the deer go crazy for them.

If you come to Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara are the big 3. Nara Park has lovely gardens and the big Buda. The deer however, for many people are the star of the show. Personally I found them bordering on being domesticated and very far from being wild. They tried to eat my friends matcha ice cream. lol

The deer really make this a one of a kind park! Visitors can buy some deer crackers/cookies that look to be rice based that cost 200 yen for 12 pieces. Then you can feed the deer by bowing to them. They'll be back to you! But some of the deer are quite eager, and will not be afraid to lightly headbutt you to prompt you to give the cookies. Be careful of the ones with horns when they bump you! They mean well but the horns may be sharp - just watch out! In terms of the park itself with the greenery and plants, it's honestly not too special. On one hand it's impressively large, but there isn't too much in terms of natural park features. There are some temples and museums nearby that are worth going to though!

On dear, this is definitely a place to visit. So many deer wander freely about. Sometimes rushing those with deer crisps in hand. Very peaceful environment. Well maintained but watch out for deer land mines! A must visit for animal lovers and kudos for Japan taking such great care of their parks!

This review is to highlight my experience back in 2019 on my spontaneous trip to Japan with a friend. I absolutely adored this park. Many vendors lined the street for your to purchase little thin biscuits and they give you a handful to feed to the deer! These deer don't mess around! They will headbutt you for goodies and treats. They're really not scard of people and you can even pet them. I love that the city and people are respectful of these animals and people wait for them to cross. The admiration for wildlife here is amazing. I hope I could go back someday!

No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to Nara Deer Park. Despite having been here on two separate trips, I only just realized now that I've never written a review for this amazing place! There are few things quite as cool as having wild deer come up to you and proceed to bow incessantly in the hopes of getting a little treat. There are over a thousand deer roaming the grounds all over Nara Park, so you'll certainly have no trouble finding them. The deer in Nara Park are considered sacred deities, and have been designated as a national monument. And despite being wild, these deer have been so accustomed to humans that they have no problem approaching, or being approached by humans for pets, photos, and treats. There are several vendors throughout the grounds selling packs of deer cookies that you can feed to the deer. Be prepared though, for as soon as the deer spot you with any of these cookies, they will instantly swarm you. Surprisingly however, they leave the vendors alone despite the stacks of cookies on their carts. Pro-tip: Break each cookie up into pieces to make them last longer, and give you the opportunity to feed more deer. Some deer can get really aggressive and head butt you or bite your butt to get more food. Hide your remaining cookies at that point and put both of your empty palms in front of them, and they'll usually back off. When walking around the grounds, be sure to keep an eye on where you are stepping as there are piles of deer poop all over. There are no shortage of merchant booths and shops lining the entrance of the park. And you'll be able to find a lot of unique, deer-themed food and gift items that are not found outside of Nara.

What a dream to have visited this place! I feel like the heart of every trip to Nara is Nara Park and for good reason. It is a public park with no entrance fee, located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. Established in 1880, it is one of the oldest parks in Japan and the home to over 1,000 wild deer that freely roam around everywhere. Literally. After visiting nearby temples along the way, we finally made it here to the delight of my son and I. There were SO many deer and we had fun bowing to them and seeing them repeat the action to get treats. You can buy the biscuits at multiple vendors around the park for 200ish yen if I remember correctly. It was also pretty entertaining to watch people get surrounded by big groups of deer and start running way. Lol. Tip, don't panic. If you want to be careful and/or have a child with you like we did, we found smaller, more isolated groups of deer to pet and give biscuits to. We found that the deer are moreso reactive to the action of getting the biscuits out of your bag vs. the scent of the biscuits. We hid them in our pockets until we were ready to feed them so that it was easier to access. That worked like a charm for us and not once were we chased or nipped at by deer, which they can sometimes do. An opportunistic deer did steal my itinerary right out of my jacket pocket though while my back was turned and decided to have it for lunch. I tried grab it out of its mouth, moreso for it's safety, but his grip was too strong, lol. All in all, we ended up spending more time here than I planned and skipped out on the rest of the temples for the day. Haha. If you get hungry, they have eateries across the street. There's one specific vendor that has Cremia ice cream. If you see it, GET IT. Life changing. If you're staying in Osaka or Kyoto, Nara is an easy day trip from these cities and absolutely worth it!

A unique MUST for any animal lovers out there. I placed Nara at the top of my list for my trip to Japan. I'm so glad I did, as it did not disappoint. So much more than I'd even hoped for. First off, the deer are virtually endless. I expected to encounter some, and I'd hoped to receive a bow or two, but what a gift for this animal loving lady. You honestly have to experience the deer for yourself to appreciate the nature of this town. Be ready though, as not only are deer everywhere for seemingly miles, if you opt to partake in feeding them you should be prepared for some that don't take "only one piece" for an answer! I got a few shirt tugs and wound up fleeing a few of the more pushy cuties. So worth it though! I received bows from nearly every deer I offered a treat to, and there were adorable babies everywhere. Beautiful grounds, stunning temples & shrines, good food, an endless supply of deer...Nara had it all. Yes, as a result it's packed with more people than deer. But although some areas were a tight fit, the area is large enough there is plenty of room to roam for hours and hours if you'd like. Don't like crowds or very close encounters with deer, avoid Nara. But if you want a truly unique experience with so much fun and beauty to offer, I'd highly recommend Nara!

honestly i'm not too fond of birds or rodents or goats or anything as such, and i was afraid i'd chicken out... but the deers were actually pretty and cute! they're like super cultured and trained to bow to you before you feed them the biscuits. they want moreee than just biscuits maybe they're tired of them so this one deer smelled my onigiris HAHHA

Visiting Nara Park was a unique and unforgettable experience! We took the train from Kyoto and the park was about a 20 minute walk from the train station. One of the most surprising aspects was seeing deer roaming freely throughout the park. Unlike what I expected, there isn't a fence keeping them away from traffic, which adds to the charm and authenticity of the experience. For ¥200, you can buy biscuits to feed the deer. Be warned, though, some of the deer can be quite aggressive and have an uncanny ability to detect when you have biscuits. I found that if you want them to walk away, you need to wave both hands--an effective and amusing trick. It was also adorable to see the deer 'bow' in anticipation of a biscuit. One important tip: be mindful of your footwear. With so many deer around, there's also quite a bit of deer poop. Make sure to choose shoes that can handle the terrain without worry about what your stepping on. Overall, Nara Park is a must-visit. The interaction with the deer is both fun and memorable, and the natural beauty of the park makes it a fantastic day out. Just come prepared, and you'll have a wonderful time!

I made my way from the Greater Tokyo Prefecture down via the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) down to the Kyoto area. From there, a 1 hour tram to Nara. You may walk from Nara Station to the Nara Deer Park in 20 minutes. On this walk, you'll see the darling little town that is Nara. There are several deer mascot souvenirs and little shops and restaurants you can enjoy. I was even able to now find my new favorite shoe shop (I'll do a review on them). The Nara Park was established in 1880, and is one of the oldest parks in Japan. The entirety of Nara Park along with the temples and shrines all surrounding it are all recognized globally as a World Heritage Site. As a World Heritage Site, this is understandably known as a place that will be protected during a time of crisis and not. As you approach the Nara Park, you will see more deer alongside the roadways. It is absolutely remarkable. The deer now how to utilize the cross walks, and when they approach people, they even know how to bow! You may buy a small stack of deer snacks for roughly 300 yen ($2.00USD). The deer can be a little forward when you have a snack, so keep that in mind. Keep you palm open when providing snacks for the deer as they may nibble. The Park itself is very well taken care of. It is lush with Cherry Blossoms when they are in season and very green. Taking a stroll here and disconnecting my phone is my favorite thing to do in all Japan. I highly recommend it should you decide to live here or even visit!

Let's face it, you didn't really come all the way to Nara just to visit the biggest indoor Buddha did you? I'm sure the idea of feeding deer with tiny thin biscuits for your social media was really what you were craving, huh? It's okay, acknowledge it because that's how everyone that visits the Nara (Deer) Park honestly feels, and I live. On your way into the city, it is impossible to miss this little park. For ¥300, you can purchase some biscuits to feed the deers who also bow to you like the wonderful Japanese deer they are. Given the number of tourists, the deers are used to people and are quite friendly. If you love deers, this is really the mecha of your time in Japan. Feel free to spend as much time as you'd like surrounding yourself with other tourists and friendly deers. They truly go hand-in-hand here in Nara.

Nara Park totally caught me off guard, it's like a serene retreat where you can kick back and soak in the beauty of nature while exploring Japan's rich history. There's so much stuff to check out, there are deer everywhereeee, you can feed them, they have so many temples and shrines. Whether you're into nature walks, history, or just taking it easy, Nara Park is the perfect spot to chill and vibe with the beauty of nature and history. Definitely exceeded my expectations.

Nara Park is one of my favorite places in Japan. I was here first on November 10, 2016, and enjoyed it so much that I decided to come back. It was a beautiful day in late October but it was difficult to savor because there were so many people, including group after group of schoolchildren who kept running me off the path. There were far fewer people when I came in November, but a few,weeks earlier during peak fall season makes a difference, and certainly more people are traveling since COVID-19 has become more manageable. There was an udon/soba restaurant at a corner that I don't recall being there in 2016, but everything else was the same, which was comforting in these days of rapid change. Regardless of when you visit, and how many people there are, it's worth a trip to Nara Park. It's quite large with several museums and I know I've explored barely any of it.

Who would of thought you would get to come close to deer and have them eating out of your hands literally?!?!?! We've been here before but our friends who were traveling with us never been so we took them all and everyone had a great time, feeding the deer (note when walking up deeper into Nara park, you wont see people selling those deer crackers so I highly advise you to buy a bunch as they are only 200 yen for a handful but the deer will easily grab a whole one right from your hand and if you want to get really good video and pictures, you will need to have those special crackers aka deer crackers or senbei. The deer are known to bow before you and then you can reward them with a cracker. So when staying in Osaka or even Kyoto, it is a quick day trip to come to Nara and I highly recommend coming to the capital city of Japan's Nara Prefecture. There is lots to do, see and eat in Nara. I recommend going to Nakatanidou which has mochi pounding every 30 minutes and Melon De Melon which has the famous baked melonpan. So good. In the park area you can see the famous Kofuku-ji (5 story Pagoda), some temples, shops to do some shopping as well as places to eat. Also beware of the male deer as they might nudge you if you ignore them and not give them some treats.

Deers free roaming everywhere They will bow to you! The deers are so respectful and will not hurt you. Just don't fall for the hype and buy the "deer food (crackers" that is on the street walking up to the park" they will not want that food because they get that all day. Instead, bring any food outside of that and you will have deers lined up to bow and eat food (safely) from your hand

Visited Nara Park on 2 separate visits, 8 years apart. It's a short walk on a slight incline from Nara station. Not much has changed except the cost of the crackers. Cute deers are everywhere. Watch for deer poop. Most are friendly unless provoked. On our last visit we didn't buy any crackers to feed them but we encourage you to do so if it is your first time. We enjoyed just watching them. If you want to avoid the crowd walk a bit further out. As mentioned, deers are every where. They have a bike share dock in the park and I recommend renting them to explore further out.

Nara Park is one of the popular things to do and see, if you want to get up close and personal with deer this is an awesome place to just do that. Most of the deer are friendly and they even come up to you to get deer food. I did see two deer that were fighting with each other but none were very violent towards people. It is a fun experience and I do feel like many people will enjoy this from children to even older adults.

Nara Deer Park is a must for anyone visiting the Japan! I've been there twice and still feels like I'm living a storybook dream every time! Picture this: A herd of wild deer, over a thousand of them, casually strolling around like they own the place. And guess what? They kinda do. These deer aren't just any deer; they're sacred legends in Nara and even hold the title of a national monument. Got deer cookies from the vendors? Brace yourself. These little fellas have a sixth sense. They spot those cookies, and bam, you're the most popular person in the park. A quick tip for the uninitiated: ration those treats. Breaking the cookies not only ensures they last longer, but it also allows for more equitable distribution of deer love. And should you encounter a particularly feisty deer, the universal sign of showing empty hands usually does the trick. Oh, and watch your step. Deer do their business wherever. Literally. Before heading out, make a pit stop at the merchant booths. Unique deer-themed goodies await! Trust me, you won't find 'em elsewhere.

20 minutes walk from Nara Station. During your walk, just the neighborhood itself there is so much to see. Little shops, plenty of family and 7 eleven marts. It was a sprinkly morning and this was on our "things to do". So so worth it. Bought a stack of crackers and you can only find these beautiful bowing deers here in Japan. They literally come up to you whether you have a cracker for them or not. Beware though, they kick, butt, knock and bite. Bae ran out of his crackers and one of them nipped his rear a bit. lol. Many of them are just laid out and I see kids chasing them. This is their habitat. They don't smell even after feeding them and them licking you. They're super kawaii! Just clean and you've got mama, dada and baby deers all over the park.

We came here on a Sunday afternoon around 1pm, and the deers were all napping and not hungry anymore. It might be better to come a little earlier if you want them to come up to you for food. It was easy to stroller around the park. There was a lot of gravel in some areas, but my stroller had no issues. To feed the deers, you buy the crackers at multiple locations across the park for 200 yen. Some deers are aggressive, so be careful with young kids. My toddler got knocked back by one, after it took the food. And we saw some kids get chased too. A lot of people dressed up for photos in the park, and you can also rent a boat too! It was 1000 yen for 30 minutes. We came as the cherry blossoms were falling, and it was beautiful.

Deer and kiddies? The perfect day of fun, screams, tenderness, giggles and awe filled joy. We caught the train from Osaka Station to Nara for an hour's worth of country side viewing, beautiful old tiled roofed homes and going through tunnels on the way. At the station we boarded a number 2 bus and got off at Stop 6. Crossing the street you feel a sense of wonder as you first spot the deer roaming free. Many deer have had their antlers sawed off, an attempt to possibly prevent injury to themselves and visitors. Join the line at the ice cream stand to not only purchase ice cream but senbei looking round disc shaped crackers for the approaching and bowing deer. We had instructed the kiddies to bow to the deer, and when they bow to you, reward them with a cracker. In the morning we had given each kiddie a 1000 yen note to buy deer food. We started off with 6 stacks then again and again and again for more deer food. Try to come by 11 am while the deer are up, friendlier, approachable and most active. By noon many are seeking shelter from the sun and begin siesta time. When hubs and I last visited we stayed such a short time. Have grandkids or significant others? You will stay here for hours plus after feeding the deer, take s break by having lunch and feeding the deer again. There is s temple directly across the street with beautiful cherry blossoms and a natural photo op. Visiting the deer is a must if you have the chance.

Having walked through most of Nara Park, I can definitely say that things get more interesting the further into the park you go! It's no secret that the deer at Nara Park have become quite used to humans. Feeding and taking pictures with them is probably the biggest reason people come here. Visitors can buy some rice crackers (200 yen) from various vendors to feed the deer with. Because most visitors congregate near the western entrance of the park, that's where the deer are getting fed the most. Thus, there are generally four types of deer you'll encounter here, with each subsequent type located further into the park. The types are: Type 1: This deer is getting fed by so many people that it basically has constant food coma. You'll find it reclining on the ground, uncaring of being pet or any food you shove in its face. Type 2: This deer might be behind a fence (seeking sanctuary from all the humans) or walking around aimlessly. If you stick food in its face, it'll stare at it and then maybe reluctantly eat a little. Type 3: Further into the park are the deer that don't get bombarded with food constantly. If you're close to them and hold up a cracker, they'll probably come up to you and eat a whole cracker or two happily. Type 4: Furthest into the park, these deer seem to always be hungry. Even if you're just taking their picture, they'll think you have food. When you're feeding one, any others within 25 feet will quickly come over and swarm you. They are pushy, but gentle. In addition to tons of deer, Nara Park has so much to offer. This place is massive, and there are many scenic paths, historic Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and more to see. And the east side of the park has hiking trails connecting to Mt. Wakakusa as well as the Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest. We did the Mt. Wakakusa hike and it was quite nice, and the summit there has a wide, sweeping view of the city. There are also a bunch of deer there as well, Type 3 (bordering on Type 4). I wish I had more time and lived closer, because I would love coming here often and enjoying all this area has to offer!

An absolute must visit in Nara, not only is Nara Park famously known for its free roaming deer, but is all around just a lovely and huge park to enjoy. As mentioned, the park is really large; large enough that there are pagodas, building, and temples. All are architecturally beautiful and worth checking out. The main attraction, though, are the thousands of free roaming deer that are also protected as a national treasure. The deers are domestic for the most part but may try to nip at you or head butt you if you have treats. They may also try to pull any bags or purses off of you. Scattered around the park, you'll find vendors that sell deer crackers that are pretty cheap. These cracker will go quickly though as the deer are hungry and will start to follow you around as soon as they smell them. That being said, it's incredibly fun to be able to interact with these animals up close and feed them.

So many deer everywhere! My trip to Nara Park was definitely a memorable experience. Definitely a spot to stop if you like animals! Currently the crackers for the deer are priced at ¥200. If you want deer to swarm you, knowing full well they're only interested in treats and not your warm personality, then go for it. Know that they can get a bit rowdy and nip if you don't present them with their treat quickly. Also, depending on the season, they can become particularly aggressive. One of the deer let me go right up to her and pet her. The deer are very cute and she was particularly sweet. The majority of the others didn't seem to want to get an inch away from you unless there was crackers involved. Know that they'll be within feet of you even without the crackers. The deer really are everywhere you look. Don't wear shoes you would mind getting dirty.

We arrived close to late afternoon here. Our objective really is the see the Deer around the area. The place was beautiful to walk around in. My biggest regret is perhaps not arriving earlier to enjoy the temples and shopping. The area got dark pretty quickly (within 1-2 hours after we arrived). There is some beauty when the place goes dark (just be cautious as some areas are not lit up as well and well there are deer around and can be hard to see). I do recommend arriving earlier to see more (but worth it for a quick visit to see the deer).

The place to go where to get bit in the butt by a deer! A beautiful park full of bowing deer. Be careful they will bite you out anger. If you love deer, worth a visit.

Nara Deer Park in Nara, Japan, is an enchanting and unforgettable destination. Our visit left us in awe of its unique charm and natural beauty. The sight of wild Nara Deer freely roaming the city, especially within the park's confines, was a heartwarming experience. The park itself exudes a sense of tranquility and serenity. Its picturesque landscapes, adorned with lush greenery and historic landmarks, create a serene backdrop for your visit. As you explore, you'll encounter vendors offering delightful deer-themed merchandise and a wide array of souvenirs, allowing you to take a piece of this magical place home with you. The surrounding area boasts a selection of restaurants and businesses, making it convenient to enjoy a delicious meal or shop for local treasures. Don't miss out on the delectable ice cream offerings - a delightful treat to savor while admiring the park's scenic beauty. The park is free to enter and never seemed overcrowded while we were there. You can buy crackers for the deer to eat but be careful as they are not afraid of you once you have food. There is plenty of signage warning you of this as well. In summary, Nara Deer Park is an absolute must-visit if you find yourself in Japan. Its unique blend of nature, culture, and wildlife creates an enchanting experience that will stay with you long after you've left.

Ohhh Dear! i mean DEER....This magical place is a city full of deers and you can feed them too! Some of them will bow to you for treats too! It was and is a once in a lifetime experience and an amazing memory to have been able to journey here. I hopped on a bus to get to the center of the park and right away noticed the deer. As I peered outside the bus windows, I saw deer in the median, deer on the sidewalks, and deer crossing the streets with people. It was surreal and very enjoyable. You can buy cookies at vendors on the streets for a few BUCKs lol...and so not to worry, The deer are gentle and used to human interaction. I had a phenomenal time walking the park and feeding the deers.

Love this park. The deer were so chill and the food in the area was great. Make sure you charge your batteries cause you will want to take a lot of pictures

So cool to be able to interact with (more or less) tame deer! Watch out! If you give them too many of the crackers, they'll start to beg. In some cases, they'll even nip at you until you give them treats! A certain deer kept nibbling at my shirt and even left me with some holes! The other thing to consider is that their hair is VERY oily. If you plan on petting them, remember that you will definitely need soap to wash your hands- or have some wipes with you. It's a really cool place to visit and I recommend renting a bike to be able to fully enjoy the park from all aspects.

Nara park was an unexpected highlight of the trip to Japan and now I recommend it to everyone as a must visit if you're in that part of country. It was magical. It's not like watching deers in a national park,it felt like what would it be if deers were part of our society and causally live among people. And there were so many of them! And the park itself is gorgeous. You can spend there many hours. We went there on a rainy day and it actually added up to the atmosphere of the park.

Oh deer... where do I even begin? This was the most pleasant and happiest moments I will forever cherish. Seeing all the deers roaming around got me smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Bought snacks from a guy with a cart and fed the deers. Watch out though because once they know you got some food, they'll follow you until they're given some lol. Even got attacked until I gave one another snack smh. This place is definitely worth a visit. Cuteness overload.

Very easy to locate and there's deer everywhere! Beware and do not purchase all of your cookies at once because you'll have a swarm of deer around you and they can get pretty aggressive. There's a temple along with a gift shop further back in the park.

Nara wasn't initially in my travel plans, but my friends insisted we had to go and I'm glad we did. I ended up loving the temples and all the deer everywhere aroudn Nara park. It's relaxing even if you just people watch on a bench and see people trying to feed the deer and all the interactions (and playful screaming). Nara is kinda wild as a destination, but so cute. I think it makes good memories with people you care about and there are plenty of mountains nearby to go hiking or parks to visit. You won't run out of stuff and it's not far from Osaka or Kyoto if you want to jump on a train out of town for something open a little later as well. The town is just starting to come back to life with travel reopened, but I guarantee you it will be back to normal soon enough and packed with tourists and international visitors. I was surprised at all the restaurants around the park and cafes. There's tons of shops too so bring cash or card to purchase gifts for others or yourself. It's a really special place. I'll go back. :)

Really nice to see deer roaming free. They were friendly. There were a lot of visitors and one tip- look down, there's a lot of droppings

Had a blast here. You should try to come before noon when the deer are hungry. They come close to the train station and descend back when they're full. There's only the mean deer left in the afternoon, watch out for them biting pockets. If you put your hands up to show that you have no crackers left, they'll leave you alone. Crackers are sold everywhere for 200¥.

Such an awesome park!!! As a kid my idea of a perfect park would be one with the most challenging jungle gym and mountain slides. As an adult, this is perfect, more than I could have imagined. I'm a big animal lover and when I learned there is a park in Japan that is populated with cute deers, I said hell yes, I'm going. And let me say, you cannot come here and not feed the deers, I visited during the beginning of Covid and these cuties were already very hungry as the drop in tourism had already began. My friends and I got about $20 worth of cookies for them (sold all over the park) and before I could secure my purchase, an eagerly awaiting deer near by had already started nibbling away at my bag! The deers are for the most part very domesticated and friendly, they know how to bow if you bow with them =) There is a temple here as well that is off limits and a very, very clean public restaurant. Highly recommend you put this on your to visit list if you are traveling to Japan.

Recently I went to this place and I really enjoyed it. Most of the deer are nice and bow to you for the Nara Cookies, I would've gave this place 5 stars but my issue was there was deer poop everywhere, it is almost impossible to leave this park without poop somewhere. In the overall I recommend going to this place as long if your fine with leaving a little smelly.

One of my favorite places in Japan... I heard about the wild deer at Nara Park, so I was extremely thrilled that this adventure was included on our tour of Japan! The bus dropped us off and our tour guide warned us about watching where we stepped. I think she didn't want us to track anything on our shoes and onto the bus...lol! Anyway, my friend bought a pack of special senbei (crackers) to feed the deer. We bowed to the deer and they bowed back. We gave them a piece of cracker as a reward. They're so cute! However, since they are wild, their coats aren't the most shiney nor the smoothest. In fact, some deer had bald spots which looked unnerving - dry patches like psoriasis or something! Spooky! So I searched for deer who seemed healthier...and I did wash my hands after petting them! It was a fun experience and one of the highlights of my trip!