Nara and its sacred deer: what to feed them, how to get a bow, safety rules, prices for Todai-ji and the Great Buddha and how to plan a day from Kyoto or Osaka.
You hold out a hand with a biscuit, the deer looks you in the eye for a second or two — and bows low, almost ceremonially, lowering its antlers to the ground. A moment later there are already five deer around you, all bowing, all wanting a treat, and someone is gently tugging at your sleeve, and you realise that you have landed in the strangest and most charming zoo without cages in the world. Nara is Japan’s ancient capital less than an hour from Kyoto and Osaka, and its main star is neither a temple nor the Great Buddha but thousands of tame deer that roam the park like owners.
Sacred messengers
Nara’s deer are not random residents of the park but a national natural monument of Japan, known as “Nara no Shika”. For over a thousand years they have been considered sacred messengers of the deities of the Kasuga Taisha shrine: according to tradition, the god arrived here riding a white deer, and since then killing the animals has been forbidden. Today their number is growing: according to the latest census of the conservation foundation, 1,687 deer were counted in Nara in 2026 — 411 males, 990 females and 286 fawns, 222 more than a year earlier.
How to feed and how to get a bow
The main rule: deer may be fed only shika senbei — special biscuits sold at kiosks across the park for 200 yen a pack of ten. Bread, crisps, vegetables and any other food are harmful to the animals and cause illness. To make a deer bow, raise the biscuit slightly above its head: the habit of bowing is the result of many years of “training” by tourists, and this sight has become a Nara classic. Don’t tease the deer by showing food and not giving it — they may get nervous and butt or bite.
Safety rules
The deer look cute but remain wild animals. Keep paper, maps and spare food in a closed bag: they love to chew everything, and paper bags and tickets vanish in seconds. Keep your distance and don’t grab the deer by the antlers. Particular caution in autumn, during the rut: males with antlers become aggressive, and are best given space. If a deer comes too close, calmly show your empty hands and step away: it will understand there is no food.
Todai-ji and the Great Buddha
The park’s main sight is Todai-ji Temple with a giant bronze Buddha in the Daibutsuden hall, one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Entry to the main hall costs 800 yen, and a combined ticket with the museum 1,200 yen; other pavilions of the complex (Hokkedo, Kaidan-in) are paid separately at 800 yen. The temple is open from 7:30 to 17:30 from April to October and from 8:00 to 17:00 from November to March. It is better to come at opening: there are fewer tourists in the morning, and deer wander along the path by the Nandaimon gate.
Kasuga Taisha and the park around
From Todai-ji a path runs through the forest to the Kasuga Taisha shrine, known for thousands of stone and bronze lanterns that are lit twice a year. The way takes about half an hour, and the path passes through a quiet park where deer are met at every step. Nearby stand the five-storey pagoda of Kofuku-ji and Sarusawa Pond, so half a day is easily spent on a walk around Nara — and you can still return to Kyoto or Osaka by evening.
Practical tips
From Kyoto and Osaka it is easy to reach Nara by train in 30–50 minutes, and most tourists come for a day. Take comfortable shoes: the park is large, and underfoot there are traces of the deer’s presence. Allow at least 4–5 hours for the whole route. Don’t come at weekends and holidays if you want quiet: then the park is full of tourists and school groups. Take a reserve of 100-yen coins for the senbei kiosks, and for photos — patience: deer rarely pose but readily come up on their own.
FAQ
What can I feed the deer? Only the special shika senbei biscuits at 200 yen for a pack of ten — other foods are harmful to them.
Are the deer dangerous? They are wild: they can bite or butt if teased with food; behave especially carefully in autumn, during the rut.
How much is entry to Todai-ji? 800 yen for the main hall; the combo with the museum is 1,200 yen.
How do I make a deer bow? Raise the biscuit slightly above its head — the deer will nod in expectation of the treat.
How much time do I need for Nara? At least half a day: the park, Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha take 4–5 hours without rushing.
Prices, opening hours and deer numbers may change — check current information before the trip.
