Nara Deer Park – Our Guide to Visiting the Bowing Deer of Nara

Entering Nara Deer Park

The deer park is huge, and there are kind of tourist information places around where you can grab a map so find your way around. On entering the side of the park coming from the main Nara street, there were already plenty of deer around, and it’s really quite a sight! We had never seen so many before, and despite the huge numbers of tourists (I’m not going to lie about this, it was busy), there were plenty of deer for everyone to spend time with! There were even deer wandering into the roads, but they are treated with so much respect, so that it didn’t seem to be issue for drivers, who were pretty chilled about it!

Feeding the Bowing Deer of Nara

One main fact to know about these Japanese deer – they are the politest around! If you bow (nod your head) to them, they will bow back, and then there is obviously the expectation that you will feed them the infamous deer crackers. Now, this is where we had a bit of a panicked issue at first – everywhere close to the main entrance to the park had sold out of deer crackers by the time we arrived at mid-afternoon. I was absolutely gutted. BUT, thankfully, the panic didn’t last for long. We kept strolling through the park, and stopped and asked a few people who seemed to be clutching fresh piles of deer crackers, and they informed us that there was parade of shops selling them at the far end of the park. Map in hand, we headed towards there, which was actually a bit more pleasant anyway as it was quieter, and were so relieved when we could find a couple of different shops selling them. The crackers themselves are sold in a big bundle, are known as shika senbei and cost approx 200 Yen for 10-15 of them. 

Then the fun began! On walking out of the shop with the crackers, we looked up, and suddenly a whole host of deer nearby seemed to perk up and head towards us, knowing straight away that we might have the goods! The way they perked up was comical! We fed a few, but I will say, feeding the deer is not for the nervous (Our littlest took a while to warm up as some of the deer were quite big and scary for him).

Most of the deer are fine, and do wait (fairly) patiently for you to get a cracker out, bow, and feed it to them. Others are big bully deer, and have zero manners whatsoever! We had a few that started pulling on our clothing with their mouths, and butting our legs to get us to feed them more. Thankfully we didn’t have any jumping up at us, which apparently can happen. The bowing aspect is so cool, and it’s incredible that the deer do this. We got some great photos and video, and all 3 kids (and us) really enjoyed our day here. 

I shared a video on my Instagram account of ‘Instagram Vs Reality’ when it came to feeding the Nara deer – it’s pretty funny! I have loads of our Japan travel in my highlights, so please do take a look.

Other things to do in Nara

Beyond the deer, Nara has so much to offer that it’s easy to spend a whole day, or even longer, exploring. We could’ve spent more time in Nara easily, and it had such a lovely vibe. One of the highlights isTōdai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a giant bronze statue housed in one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. The scale of both the statue and the hall is breathtaking, and it’s a must-see for first-time visitors. Nearby, you’ll find Kōfuku-ji Temple, once one of the most powerful temples in Japan, famous for its elegant five-story pagoda which often features in classic Nara photos.

For something a little more peaceful, you can head to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a Shinto shrine tucked away in the forest. Its winding paths lined with hundreds of moss-covered stone lanterns make for a truly atmospheric walk, especially if you arrive early in the morning before the crowds. The shrine itself is striking with its bright vermilion buildings and intricate details, and the surrounding nature adds to its sense of serenity.

If you’d like to explore more about Nara’s history, the Nara National Museum is a great stop, with an impressive collection of Buddhist art, statues, and artifacts that help put the city’s temples and shrines into context. For families, the museum is manageable in size and gives a nice break from walking between the larger sights.

And finally, simply wandering Nara’s streets can be an experience in itself. The old merchant district of Naramachi is full of traditional wooden townhouses, craft shops, and cozy cafés where you can rest your feet and try local treats like kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves). Whether you’re into history, culture, or just soaking up the atmosphere, Nara has much more to enjoy than just its friendly (and greedy) deer!

FAQs about the Bowing Deer and Nara Deer Park

Do the Nara deer really bow?

Yes! Many of the Japanese deer in Nara have learned to bow their heads when offered food. It’s not a guaranteed trick, but if you hold a cracker up and pause before giving it, some deer will give a polite little nod first. We found that pretty much all the deer bowed for us.

What can you feed the deer in Nara?

You can only feed them special deer crackers, called shika senbei, which are sold around the park for about 200 yen a pack. These crackers are safe for the deer to eat, and you mustn’t feed them anything else.

Are the deer in Nara dangerous?

The deer are generally friendly, but they are still wild animals. Some can get a little pushy (especially if they see you holding crackers!). Younger children may find it overwhelming when several deer crowd around, (our 7 year old son really wasn’t keen on this, so we sort out solo deer for him!), so keep an eye out and try and feed them one at a time.

Where can you buy deer crackers in Nara, and how much do they cost?

Deer crackers (shika senbei) are sold by street vendors and small stalls and shops all around Nara Park. If you go in the morning, you won’t have to look far, but come mid-afternoon you will likely have to walk to shops further across the park. A pack usually costs about 200 yen for around 10 – 15 crackers. They come bundled with a strip of paper, so you can carry them easily while feeding. Just be aware: the deer know exactly what the paper means, so as soon as you’re holding a pack, they will mean business!

Where is Nara Deer Park located?

Nara Park is in central Nara, just a short walk from both JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station. The park stretches out around famous landmarks like Tōdai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

How do you get to Nara from Kyoto?

You can reach Nara from Kyoto in about 35 – 50 minutes by train. The JR Nara Line has both local and rapid services, and the Kintetsu Railway is often the fastest option. PASMO and Suica cards work on both, so you don’t need to buy separate tickets.

How far is Nara Deer Park from the train station?

From JR Nara Station, it’s about a 10 – 15 minute walk to one of the park entrances. If you arrive at Kintetsu Nara Station, you’ll be even closer, just a few minutes on foot.

Do you have to pay to enter Nara Deer Park?

No, the park itself is free to enter. You’ll only need to pay if you want to visit the temples and shrines inside, such as Tōdai-ji Temple.