NARA DEER

The city of Nara, Japan is located east of Osaka, Japan and south of Kyoto, Japan. It can be reached by about a 50 minute train ride from Osaka or an hour train ride from Kyoto. Nara is well known for the Todai-ji Buddhist temple. While the temple and its statute of Buddha are well worth seeing, many tourists also enjoy visiting the Nara deer.
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What are Nara Deer?
The deer found in Nara are known as sika deer. The deer are wild and are a protected species in Japan. You can find sika deer in other locations across Japan such as Miyajima Island. The deer in Nara are fairly tame and used to people visiting the area.
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Where can I see Nara Deer?
The Nara Deer can easily be found at Nara Park. The easiest way to reach Nara Park by train is to get off at Kintetsu-Nara Station and head directly east. You will pass by Nara Park while heading towards Todai-ji temple.
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Nara deer

Visiting the deer in Nara Park

Can You Touch or Feed Nara Deer?
​There are special crackers available for sale around Nara Park to feed the deer. You are not supposed to feed them anything else. Use caution if you want to pet them as they are wild animals. 

Nara Park in Nara, Japan