I loved the Nara park, there are so many place to see, temples, museums, shrines and much more. Best part was the deers, they were everyday where and mostly friendly to people. If you are feeding food to deers beware they will chase you around.
An absolute highlight of our trip! A magical experience for kids.
We had a wonderful day exploring Nara Park with our kid, and it was easily one of our favorite family experiences in Japan. The blend of beautiful nature, ancient history, and friendly animals is perfect.
The park grounds are massive and stunning, leading you directly to magnificent shrines and temples. Seeing the incredible wooden structures and walking through the peaceful paths felt like stepping back in time.
The biggest hit for our kid was, of course, the free-roaming deer! You can buy special deer crackers (shika-senbei) from local vendors all over the park for just 200 yen a pack. My kid enjoyed feeding them so much—it was incredibly fun to watch the deer politely "bow" their heads to ask for a cookie.
Tips for Parents:
The deer are generally very gentle, but they can get enthusiastic if they see you holding cookies! If your child gets a bit startled, just hold your empty hands up to show the deer you're all out, and they will walk away.
The park involves a lot of walking between the different temples and shrines, so comfortable walking shoes are a must for everyone.
It’s an unforgettable, interactive day out that both adults and children will love. Highly recommend making the trip here!
I’ve always dreamt of coming here. Going to a national park where deer come up to you, bow and basically ask for food.
I took the metro to Nara, from there it was just a 5 min walk to get to the first deer. There are so many tourists at the entrance of the park already at 8:30 in the morning. You buy the deer crackers for little money before you enter the gardens and the park.
Please, as a courtesy to the locals, the deer and the traffic, only feed the deer inside the park!
Walk up the Mountain View point to have less people, but deer are everywhere.
There are amazing temples, tomb stones, prayer gardens all around. Be mindful, and respectful.
Have a great time!
I stayed for around 3 hours and did about 10.000 steps. It was amazing.
4 Stars, because of the immense amount of crowds in front of the main temple entrance.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nara Park was one of the highlights of our family trip to Japan! Visiting as a family of 10 across three generations, we all had an amazing time.
The famous deer were everywhere and were surprisingly friendly. Feeding them with the deer crackers was such a unique experience, especially for the kids, who couldn't stop laughing whenever the deer bowed for food. Even the grandparents enjoyed interacting with them and taking photos.
The park itself is beautiful, spacious, and well-maintained, with plenty of scenic spots to explore. The atmosphere was peaceful despite the number of visitors, and it was a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy nature. We also enjoyed walking around the nearby temples and historic sites, which added to the charm of the visit.
If you're visiting the Osaka or Kyoto area, Nara Park is definitely worth the trip. It's a fun and memorable experience for both children and adults, offering a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, and wildlife. Highly recommended for families and animal lovers alike!
One tip: hold on tightly to your maps, brochures, and snacks—the deer may think they're food too!
Deers are so friendly, monks and devotees are trust these deers are messengers from the God's. When you try to feed deers dont feed outside food and they show a humble loyalty with heads. After deer park visiting Great Buddha Temple is fabulous experience it may takes you to 1500 years back feeling
