Nara Deer Park

Nara Park located in the city of Nara and is one of the oldest parks established in Japan. The official size of the park is about 1,240 acres, which includes the grounds of the surrounding Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The deer in Nara are regarded as divine creatures, being in relation as a messenger of God, thus being loved and protected by locals. It is said in ancient times, people have witnessed Gods descending from the sky on a white deer, and is believed that the deer in Nara are the descendants of that white deer. All the deer that roam the area are wild deer, with the population around 1500 and growing each year. Tourists can feed them a special kind of deer cracker which is sold by nearby vendors near the Nara Park. Signs surround the area notifying tourists that wild deer can bite, or chase you for their special treat.