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Deer in Nara ParkDeer in Nara Park
Cities and regions · Nara

Nara, the deer

Less than an hour from Kyoto or Osaka, the old capital fits into a day: the park and its deer, the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha.

Nara at a glancea day trip
One dayhalf a day for the essentials
5 min on footfrom Kintetsu-Nara to the park; 15 min from the JR station
47 min from KyotoJR, Miyakoji rapid, 720 ¥
38 min from OsakaKintetsu from Namba, express, 680 ¥
  1. 01
    The Great Buddha of Todai-ji

    The huge wooden hall and its Buddha. Audio guide in English: 500 ¥.

    800 ¥7:30 am – 5:30 pm, April to October
  2. 02
    Kasuga Taisha

    The grounds are free to enter; the main shrine is open 9 am to 4 pm.

    freemain shrine 700 ¥
  • With the deer
  • Their crackers, shika senbei, sold in the park: whole, arm outstretched, without making them wait.
  • Keep your wrappers: there are no trash cans in the park.
  • Never
  • Touch them, or feed them bread or cookies.
  • Approach the males from September to November: it's rutting season.
PlanJapanCities and regions · Nara
PlanJapan · Japan, the complete guide · 2026–20271