Deer Cindy in Nara, Japan

One of our favorite places we visited in Japan was Nara because of the bowing deer. According to legend, the sacred deer are messengers of the gods. When the deity Takemikazouchi no Mikoto came to Nara, it is said he arrived on a white deer which led to the deer being revered as divine envoys. 

They estimate there are over 1,300 deer living and roaming free in Nara. They are known to be friendly and approachable, often interacting with tourists who feed them special wafers that are sold by vendors in the park.


When a deer approaches you, you bow to the deer and the deer bows back. Sometimes they keep bowing. Be sure to have some wafers available before you bow to a deer. Some deer are known to charge when they aren't rewarded with a wafer, after being prompted to bow.


Deer is so abundant in Nara and they can be quite naughty. They will nip you or butt you, if they are hungry and you aren't courteous to them. They are wild animals.


This tourist is popular or does she have all the deer wafers?


Nara is a must-visit place in Japan. When in Osaka or Kyoto, be sure to make an excursion to Nara to visit the deer. We plan on visiting Nara again because of the proximity to Osaka. 

Have you been to Nara? If so, please leave us a comment.







Location: Nara, Japan

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