Four Itchy Feet

September 22, 2025. Nara, Japan.

Today we took the train from Kyoto to Nara, Japan. Nara is a city steeped in history and culture. It served as Japan’s first permanent capital from 710 to 784, a period known as the Nara period, which saw a flourishing of Buddhist culture. The city is home to numerous temples and shrines, many of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites under the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” listing. These include Tōdai-ji Temple, which houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns.

The first thing that is striking about Nara, as soon as you leave the train station, are the deer. There are over 1,000 wild sika deer in the park, and they are everywhere! The deer of Nara Park are considered sacred and have been protected for centuries. According to local legend, the deity Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, one of the four gods of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, rode into Nara on a white deer. As a result, the deer are regarded as divine messengers and symbols of the gods. They are accustomed to human interaction and are often seen approaching visitors, especially those with food. Tourists can purchase special deer crackers, known as shika senbei, to feed them. The deer have even learned to bow to visitors to request food. A word of caution from first hand experience: they know you are carrying these crackers and will bite, headbutt, and bully you into giving them up.

Nara Park is a vast public park that encompasses many of Nara’s most famous attractions, including the aforementioned temples and shrines. It’s a beautiful, expansive space with pleasant walking paths, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery that changes with the seasons. We both got to sit and sketch in the park, a very peaceful time. Overall, it was a great experience. Expect large crowds, but there is still enough space to find calm and quiet areas in Nara.