Oh deer! Set foot in Nara Park and you shall soon find yourself surrounded by Japan’s sacred deer. Established in 1880, Nara Park is home to hundreds of free roaming deer and in the Shinto religion, these deer are seen as messengers of the kami deities. In fact, animals often embody the spirits of the gods and serve as messengers between the divine and human realms. A most important message these deer will not hesitate to convey is that they would like a cracker.
Of course, one of the great wonders and joys of Nara Park is the opportunity to feed the sacred deer. You may purchase deer crackers or shika senbei at multiple spots throughout the park for 200 yen. However, it is most important to respect the sacred deer. One way to show respect is to bow to them and if you are lucky, they may bow to you. Now, to ensure you and the sacred deer of Nara Park may prance in harmony for years to come, be sure to follow these five tips:
Do not chase the deer or shove food into the deer’s mouths. Moreover, be sure your little ones do the same, for no matter how adorable they may appear, wild animals can act unpredictably. Therefore, you would do well not to spook or irritate the sacred deer of Nara Park.
Beware not to taunt the deer with food, as this can cause the deer to become frustrated and behave aggressively. For example, if the deer return a bow, be sure to reward them with a cracker lest they become crabby. Furthermore, deer will often come bounding up from the furthest corners of the park to snatch those delectable crackers if they see you so much as motion towards your pockets (even if you do not have crackers). If the deer do surround you, slowly move away and show that your hands are empty. You can wave “bye-bye” as well, as the deer are quite intelligent!
Be sure to only feed shika senbei (deer crackers) to the deer. The crackers are specially made for them while human food is not. By doing so, you can help make sure the deer do not fall ill or become dependent on human food.
Be careful to pack away any trash or place it in the bins. This will help prevent the deer from accidentally ingesting the garbage and becoming ill. Keeping the park litter-free will help to maintain a clean and pleasant environment for both you and the deer for years to come.
In this age of social media, it seems as though every aspect of our lives must be documented lest it be missed by an oh so important someone. However, our desire for photos can lead to foolish behaviors. Remember, do not chase the deer, do not tease the deer, and certainly do not attempt to ride the deer for a photo, as you shall regret it.
Thankfully, Nara Park is quite easy to find. You can opt to take the train to Kintetsu-Nara Station, and from there, it’s a short walk (~5 minutes) east. If you find yourself at JR Nara Station, it is a bit of a longer walk (~20 minutes), but the way is straight along Sanjo-dori Street. The city center bus is another option as nearly all stop in and around Nara Park.
Finally, if you do partake in feeding the deer, it is wise to hide the crackers in your bag or pocket once purchased from the vendor, for the deer know these are the keepers of the crackers. The deer may follow you and may nip you, but showing your empty hands can help ward them off. Keep little ones close at all times. There are fewer deer around the further edges of Nara Park, and here, you may feed the deer at your leisure.
Not all who wan-deer are lost (apart from me…occasionally). Now, if you happen to wan-deer to Nara Park, you shall be treated to a one-of-a-kind destination and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience of feeding the sacred deer of Japan. As long as you treat the deer with both respect and vigilance, you shall enjoy a merry time at Nara Park.
Here was a sneak peek at Nara Park, home to Japan’s sacred deer. Keep an eye out for more swooping out of the sky.
I hope you enjoy, and I look forward to sharing more unofficial wonders with you. Happy exploring!
The Unofficial Florence
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