Nara Koen Park, Nara

Nara Koen Park boasts an extensive site of 4 kilometers in the east and west, 2 kilometers in the north and south and 660 hectares in which the venerable shrines such as “Todaiji” and “Kasuga Taisha” are built. There are rich greeneries in the surroundings, and 1100 deer inhabits the park. It is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn.
Recently, the number of tourists increased with the “1300th Anniversary celebration of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital” in 2010, and as a holiday it will be a popular spot with a queue and it may be kept waiting. For this reason, it is recommended not to visit everything in Nara Park, but sightseeing by focusing on what you are interested in. In addition, Nara Park does not have many restaurants unexpectedly for its famousness. Therefore, it is better to check the places you can eat in advance.

Nara Park is a place changed as a park in the Meiji era as the place which has been maintained from the Heian period as the precincts of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji Temple etc. which are registered in World Heritage Sites. After that, Wakakusa Mountain and Kasuga Primordial Forest etc. were also incorporated and it became the current area.
Currently there are numerous events throughout the year at Nara Park, and there are cultural facilities such as the National Museum and Shosoin in addition to the above world heritage in the park. In addition to the famous “Nara park deer” in nature-rich parks, many other wild animals such as raccoons and mussels are inhabited. It is a comprehensive park where you can enjoy history, culture and nature. Access to Nara Park is free of charge 24 hours 365 days.

Many deer greet

Nara Koen Park which many deer greet is a tourist resort popular also as an autumnal-leaves spot.
Trees, such as a maple, a ginkgo tree, and a Chinese tallow tree, color all at once in autumn, and a tasteful nature walk can be enjoyed. It is nice that there are 21 places of rest stations, 140 benches in the park, so you can take a rest substantially. How about enjoying the time made leisurely carrying out a walk or giving the deer food?

Surrounded by the deer

It will seem “This person buys Shika Senbei (baked snack for deer)” only by taking out a wallet around a Shika Senbei counter, and will be surrounded by the deer. Seemingly, deer think “people, who have not seen before, give food.”, it seems that therefore, a tourist is crowded with the deers and be run after by them.

Attacked by high probability

When giving a Shika Senbei to a deer, there are notes.
If it divides and give them a half after being seen a whole Shika Senbei first, it will be attacked by high probability whether the deer thought that they is irritated.

Foundation for the Protection of Deer

Incidentally, even if a deer eats the inspection sticker which has bundled this Shika Senbei, it is made of pulp and soybean ink 100% so that it may be OK.
The inspection sticker of the mark of a deer to a white ground is sold by the Foundation for the Protection of Deer in Nara Park. These sales serve as an activity fund of this foundation, and are also allotted to the injured rehabilitation hostel management of a deer and auxiliary activities of childbirth.

Deer may return a bow

Presenting quickly is safe if you think that you will give Shika Senbei. Then, if you say “thank you” with bowing by raising a hand highly, a deer may return a bow.

Information