Chao, I’m Eiryu, the developer of JapanNow.
On June 5 2025, I visited Nara Park, and I share what it was like in this blog.
Nara Park was established in 1880, and it was Japan’s first public park. Inside the park, there are three world heritage landmarks, which is Todai-temple(founded in 738), Kohuku-temple(669), and Kasuga shrine(768).
Besides, this park is famous for its free-roaming deer. You can encounter them even inside the landmarks and while eating food in food stands.
As soon as I entered the park, the first thing that caught my eye was the deer strolling along the walkways and playfully bothering tourists. Some even used their antlers to poke the backsides of people waiting for the bus:) You can buy senbei crackers in the park and feed them.
In this 5 km² park, deer can be found everywhere, and you can interact with them directly. They cross roads and lounge around just like people—there are no barriers separating humans and deer. It is estimated that there are over 1,300 deer in the park!! It’s truly astonishing.
The deer here have been protected as sacred deer at this site for over a thousand years.
At the park’s entrance, on the lawn in front of the Nara Prefectural Office, the deer were lounging around as if it were their own home 🙂
After spending time with the deer, I made my way to Kasuga Taisha, one of the park’s three World Heritage sites.
This shrine was built in 768 to safeguard Heijō-kyō—the imperial capital of Japan from 710 to 794—and to ensure the prosperity of its people. Inside the shrine, you’ll find deer on the road.
After walking along the approach for about ten minutes and arriving at the main hall, I spotted another deer! It caught my eye and began to approach me…
Wait!!!
OMG:)
There’s a charge to enter the inner sanctuary of the main hall. While about half the visitors turned back, I paid the fee—and it proved to be well worth it.
The sacred tree standing inside the main hall is especially striking—be sure to experience its power firsthand. (It’s about 1000 years old!)
Next, I headed to Tōdai-ji, the second UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara Park. It was founded in 738, and its Great Buddha statue once held the world’s largest bronze Buddha.
As my experience, this temple was absolutely amazing. First, the scale of the buildings is truly monumental. On top of that, the craftsmanship is incredibly delicate—you can see the massive, awe-inspiring Kongō Rikishi statues standing guard at both ends of the gate.
After passing through the gate, you’ll find the entrance to the Great Buddha Hall on your left. There’s an ¥800 admission fee to enter, but as the highlight of Nara Park, it’s absolutely worth seeing.
After visiting Tōdai-ji, I planned to head to the third World Heritage site, Kōfuku-ji… but I arrived after closing time(5 pm). So here’s a photo I found on a stock image site. This temple was originally founded in 669 in Yamashina and relocated to Nara in 710. The oldest structure among world heritages in Nara Park.
Finally, I want to share about Ukimido Pavilion, which I stumbled upon by chance. Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, its reflection on the water looked like a perfect mirror—it was truly breathtaking. The spot is quiet, with benches and a small kiosk, making it a wonderfully relaxing place.
Overall, it was a truly wonderful trip. You can experience an even older era of Japan in Nara than in Kyoto. It’s also close to Osaka, so a day trip is highly recommended.
It’s about a 45-minute ride from Namba Station on the Kintetsu Line with no transfers. Be careful not to board the Limited Express by mistake, as it charges double the fare. The fastest train you can take without any extra fee is the Rapid Express (RAPID EXPRESS).
If you’re curious about other attractions in the Kansai region, be sure to explore the links below—they even include travelers’ firsthand experiences!
Lastly, if you visit Nara Park, please share your experience on Japan Now!
Do you know what hambāgu is?
In Japan, the patty that you’d normally find in a hamburger is made larger and juicier, then served with rice.
During this trip, I had lunch at Bikkuri Donkey, the most famous hambāgu chain in Japan. Both the exterior and interior décor are so distinctive you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into the world of Donkey Kong.
Their soy-based onion sauce perfectly captures a Japanese flavor, so you can enjoy hambāgu the Japanese way!
Since this is a nationwide chain, you can find Bikkuri Donkey anywhere in Japan—be sure to stop by one during your travels!
