#112 Nara, Japan

I feel kind of sad for Nara, because it’s actually an entire Prefecture, and most foreign tourists (including me) only make time to go to one tiny area – Nara (deer) park.

However, the park is amazing. When I went I had spent already spent a few days in Kyoto and Osaka, it was my last day, my feet had blisters and I was physically exhausted. I would recommend against this, and encourage people to try leave some spare time (if they can) so you can relax and truly enjoy things instead of rushing around.

Cost

Entrance to the park and grounds is completely free. You can buy special deer cookies from vendors in the park for 100yen (I bought two packs). Maybe this is a bit mean, but to make the cookies last longer I actually broke them in half and quarters. You hear stories about the deer getting a little irate and attacking you, but I didn’t really see this happen. They’re quite small, and not many have antlers so the obvious thing to do is avoid the antler ones as they’re the ones that will hurt if they try headbutt you. I had a few corner me as I tried to go into one of the gift stalls, but it was more cute nudging than fearing for my safety. *If you have small children you need to be careful and watch them constantly, although the deer are small they could easily knock them over.

The park is also home to the world’s largest wooden structure – a big temple called Todaiji. You have to pay entry to this (500yen), and it is kind of hidden away so if you want to get a photo but not enter it’s a little awkward (but not impossible). Although it wasn’t expensive, I was tired and my main aim of the journey was to take a few deer selfies, which I had accomplished, so I decided not to walk any further and to head back home.

I have found during my travels in Japan (or around the world) that some places can never quite live up to your expectations, or the heavily photoshopped photos all over the internet. However, I am glad to say Nara is not one of these disappointments. The deer park absolutely lives up to expectations, it is magical, peaceful, fun, and quintessentially Japanese. A must-do if you are in Japan.

Access

Nara is easily accessible from both Kyoto and Osaka. I went from Osaka, it took about one hour and cost 800yen, but it usually requires changing trains at one station. From Kyoto it’s also one hour, and there is a direct JR train for 700yen.

To get to the park requires maybe 15min walk, and then walking around the park itself, so factor in a few hours if you want to do this at your leisure (and I would 100% encourage you to bring a picnic). There are shops and restaurants lining the streets from the station to the park, and at the station there is a lot of information for foreign tourists.