Discover top attractions in Nara and book a nearby hotel for extra convenience.
Nara Park
蓝蓝翔在逃挖掘机2Historical and cultural significance
Nara's deer are regarded as messengers of God. Legend has it that when Kasuga Shrine was founded in 710 AD, gods rode deer, so they have a sacred and noble symbolic meaning in the local area, carrying a thousand years of historical and cultural connotations.
Unique living habits
Nara's deer are wild, but they coexist harmoniously with humans. They will bow to tourists and beg for food. This unique habit stems from their instinct to "nod" before fighting, but is regarded by tourists as a cute interaction.
Rich viewing experience
There are about 1,200 deer in Nara Park. They are in various poses, or lying leisurely, Whether playing and chasing, or strolling, visitors can buy deer senbei and get in close contact with them, feed them, touch them, and feel the closeness of nature and animals.
Seasonal changes
Nara's deer change their fur twice a year. In spring, they change to beautiful sika deer fur after the cherry blossom season, and in autumn, they change to warm brown fur. You can see the different appearance characteristics of the deer in different seasons.
Surrounding monuments
Near Nara Park are Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and other monuments. The vermilion buildings and emerald trees complement each other, and the deer shuttle between them, forming a picturesque historical and cultural landscape.
Tōdai-ji
UuztzuzTodaiji Temple is the main temple of the Kegon sect in Japan, also known as the Great Kegon Temple, the Golden Light Four Heavenly Kings Temple, etc. Located in the eastern east of Heijyo, it is one of the seven great temples in Nanto, with a history of more than 1,200 years. It is the largest wooden building in the world today. Walking in Todaiji Temple, there are many Asian tourists who worship Buddha and pray. Tourists can get close to the majestic appearance of the treasures in a foreign country.
Mount Wakakusa
Aawu45If the deer in Nara are a must-see feature of a trip to Kansai, Japan, then watching the sunset with the deer on Mount Wakakusa is definitely the most romantic place in Kansai!
📝Check-in guide: From Nara Park ➡️Kasuga Taisha ➡️Todaiji Temple ➡️Mount Wakakusa, there are deer everywhere. You can buy some deer biscuits and take photos with them. If you are afraid of being hit by deer, you can avoid some male deer with horns. Generally, if you don’t tease them maliciously, they will bow to you and ask for cookies🍪
🚗Transportation information: It is not far from Kyoto or Osaka by JR. Get off at JR Nara Station and take a bus to Nara Park. When you see the deer everywhere on the roadside (don’t doubt that they are sculptures, they may appear in any place you can’t imagine and pose in a "static frame" state, waiting for you to get close to give you a surprise), get off immediately!
The small road at the entrance of Mt. Wakakusa is open to vehicles, which means that if you are in a hurry or can't walk, you can take a taxi directly to the entrance of Mt. Wakakusa. I happened to meet a guy who sprained his foot that day, so I just called a taxi to JR Station. It is quite convenient here, but Japanese taxis are notoriously expensive. It is better to walk down the mountain and take the bus unless you have no choice!
📌Price and other tips:
1️⃣ About buying deer biscuits: There are 2-3 fixed stalls in Nara Park. The salesmen here are more dignified. Deer biscuits are sold open on the table. The deer lying next to them dare not grab them, but they will not be polite to the ones in your hands [sweat]; there is a small shop on Wakakusa Mountain that also sells deer biscuits. The price is the same, 200 yen per bundle (about 8-10 pieces), but they will be locked in an iron cage here to prevent deer thieves
2️⃣ From Nara Park ➡️Kasuga Taisha National Treasure Hall ➡️Todaiji Temple ➡️Wakakusa Mountain, there are deer all the way, so don’t expect one pack of 🦌biscuits to be enough. It is recommended to buy 2-3 packs, hide two packs in a plastic bag first, break the pack you feed into several small pieces before feeding, otherwise when the little guys come around, I’m afraid that the big piece will be cleared all at once
3️⃣ The ticket price for Mount Wakakusa is 150 yen for adults and 80 yen for children (over 3 years old). The business hours for Mount Wakakusa are 9:00-17:00. The middle door is for exit only. You can exit from this door after watching the sunset. The other doors will be closed. Although it is just a gate, generally no one will evade the ticket from here. It all depends on your quality and self-consciousness.
4️⃣ The grass slope of Mount Wakakusa has a certain slope. Remember to keep your feet steady when climbing and feeding 🦌, otherwise it will be embarrassing to twist your feet or roll down the slope
Kasuga Taisha
走走遍天下XZSpring Day Club, located on the Spring Day Mountain in Nara Park, although it is a mountain, it is actually a little slope. It has a history of more than 1,300 years and has been listed by the United Nations on the World List of Cultural and Historical Heritage Protection. It is the temple of the Fujiwara family, which is a prominent Japanese history, and is dedicated to the patron saint of their family. The Fujiwara family has manipulated the Japanese royal family for more than 300 years, and is also an active promoter and practitioner of the Chinese political and social system and has been fully transplanted into Japan. The never-cut spring mountain, the purple alfalfa that symbolizes family names and ethnic surnames, the mysterious apple tree, the moss-covered stone lanterns, the sticky fawn are all worth seeing.
Toshodaiji
暝暝逝Many people must have heard of the term "Jianzhen's voyage to Japan", which tells the story of a Tang Dynasty monk who traveled to Japan to spread Buddhism and the advanced culture of the Tang people. The Toshodaiji Temple in Nara was built by the Japanese for Jianzhen after his arrival, and the original structure and many historical sites are still preserved.
Nara National Museum
游游侠半仙The Nara National Museum is divided into an old building and a new building. Photography is not allowed inside the museum, only the Vajra Hercules statue in the special exhibition can be photographed.
The Nara National Museum is located in a corner of Nara Park, adjacent to Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, etc.
In a relaxed and comfortable environment, you can feel the charm of Buddhist art and the rich historical and cultural essence behind it.
Naramachi
AAKO.ANara City, Japan, is an important tourist city in Japan, famous for its deer farming.
Kofuku-ji
MMiasmileRemember 2019.11 Kansai Late Autumn Walk~ Xingfu Temple is very close to Kintetsu Nara Station, just a few minutes walk away, and there are deer along the street. The highest temperature on this day in late November was 20 degrees. The huge venue of Xingfu Temple was just a few times in front of the temple and the high tower. I had been sweating. I came back and checked the information before I knew that Xingfu Temple contained so many buildings: there were Zhongjintang, Dongjintang, Nanyuantang, Beiyuantang, Five-Tower, Triple Tower, Dayutang, etc. At that time, I didn't carefully distinguish it, but I bought tickets to enter Zhongjintang to visit. You can't take pictures inside, everyone visits quietly and prays, and there are not many tourists. The monastery always gives people a sense of tranquility and peace, and feels relaxed and happy. Dongjintang is next to the five-fold tower, and Nanyuantang is a building with a hexagonal spire. Each temple should be purchased separately to enter.
Joukyou-ji Temple
还还不曾去过倒悬山!It is said that it was the previous six Poloping house, Ping heavy win layer here lit dozens of lights to pray for peace.
Todai-ji Namdaimon (Grand South Gate)
Ffooler0809Nandaemun is a gate in the Todaiji Temple area. It looks like a very old gate, and many tourists come and go. There are some statues similar to door gods inside, and the color of the wooden components is very dark.