Nara Park, established in 1880 as one of Japan’s first urban parks, is a vast public park located in the city of Nara, Japan. The park spans approximately 502 hectares (about 107 times the size of Tokyo Dome) and is famous for its large population of tame deer, considered sacred in the Shinto religion and allowed to roam freely throughout the park. Nara Park is also home to several important cultural and historical sites.
One of the most popular activities in Nara Park is feeding the deer. Visitors can purchase special crackers called “shika senbei” from designated vendors within the park and feed them to the deer, who often bow their heads as a gesture of gratitude. The deer have become a symbol of the park and are a favorite subject for tourists’ photographs.
In addition to the deer, Nara Park is home to several significant cultural and historical landmarks, including Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Kohfuku-ji Temple with its iconic five-storied pagoda, and the Nara National Museum. The park is also a popular spot for picnics, jogging, and other outdoor activities, such as visiting the picturesque Ukimido pavilion on Sagi Pond. Visitors can also hike up the adjacent Mount Wakakusa for a panoramic view of the Nara cityscape.
Nara Park is particularly beautiful in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a stunning pink and white landscape, and in the fall when the leaves change colors, painting the park in vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow.
Getting there
From Nara Station to Nara Park:
| Bus | Nara Station ↓ Bus Number 2 ↓ 5 minutes (4 stops) Kenchoazuma Bus Stop Nara Park (Cost 250 yen) |
| Walk | About 22 minutes (1.5 km) |
Details
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Phone | +81 742-22-0375 |
| Address | Nara, Nara Prefecture 630-8211, Japan |
| Official Website | https://www3.pref.nara.jp/park/ |
