Nara Park

Expansive public green space at the foot of Mount Wakakusa where over 1,200 wild sika deer roam freely among visitors, bowing politely in exchange for the shika senbei (deer crackers) sold throughout the park. The park encompasses some of Japan's most significant cultural sites, including Todaiji Temple with its colossal bronze Buddha, Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its thousands of stone lanterns, and the Nara National Museum. In spring, cherry blossoms frame the deer and temple rooftops, while autumn brings fiery maple foliage to the surrounding hillsides. The park is open around the clock and free to enter, making it perfect for an early morning walk when the deer are calm and the light is soft.