Nara Deer Park is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan and most travellers head to Nara to see the iconic sika deer.
Nara Park lies on the eastern edge of the city at the foot of the forested hills and is filled with shrines, temples or ponds.
Sacred Japanese deer
The city of Nara is particularly famous for its huge numbers of free-roaming sika deer, also known as Japanese deer.
These animals are revered as sacred in the Shinto religion and are believed to be messengers of the gods.
Sika deer move freely throughout Nara and are not shy at all. They are most concentrated in Nara Park, where they descend from the surrounding forests in search of readily available food.
Remember that all the deer in the park are wild. They are not afraid of humans, but it is not considerate of them to touch them on purpose.
Feeding the deer
There are vendors selling special crackers designed for deer in several areas of the parks. This food will do them no harm and once the deer see that you have crackers in your hand, they will come to you on their own.
You can purchase these animal treats for 200 jpy (cash only).
We strongly caution you not to feed the deer any food other than what you purchase at the park. If you give them regular human food, you could seriously harm them.
Viewpoints and hiking trails
The meadows of Nara Park rise up into the hills above the city and offer beautiful views, especially in the early evening at sunset.
Iconic views include those from Nigatsu-do Shrine.
Nara Park itself is large, but you can walk through it in about half an hour.
However, there are many trails that take you further into the wooded hills, where you can walk around all day.
Sights in the park
Nara Park is full of shrines, temples, pavilions and there is even a street at the top of the park with several souvenir shops and restaurants.
The two most important sights in Nara Park are described in detail under the following links:
Entrance fees and opening hours
The park is freely accessible 24/7 and some of the trails at the bottom of the park are illuminated at night.
Entrance is free.
How to get there
Nara Park can be reached by train from both Kyoto and Osaka. Two different train companies run to two different stations near the park.
- Kintetsu Nara - station 1,100 metres walk from the park
- Direct Kintetsu trains from Osaka-Namba Station or Kyoto Station
- Cannot use JR Pass
- JR Nara - Station 2 100 metres walk from the park
- Direct JR trains from Osaka, Osaka-JR Namba or Kyoto Station
- JR Pass can be used
For detailed information on transport to Nara, please refer to the chapter How to get to Nara.
City buses run directly to the park, which can be used to shorten your journey from the train stations or your hotel.
Fares are 220 jpy per ride and can be paid with cash or one of 10 Japanese transport cards.
- Nara JR-Station direction - lines 1, 2, 6, 7, 77, 78
- Kintetsu Nara direction - lines 1, 2, 6, 7, 77, 78
- Toshodaiji and Yakushiji Temple - lines 77, 78
Accommodation nearby
In the hills above the park you will find beautiful luxury hotels in the middle of the forest. Stay here if you want to enjoy the park all to yourself in the early evening and morning.
Then you'll find cheap standard 3* or 4* hotels more around Kintetsu Nara Station.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Nara.
