Hi friends! This week we’re talking about something I was excited to do before I even left home! Nara Park: A place you can feed, pet, and take pictures with deer; see beautiful temples and shrines; and spend time in nature.
Nara Park aka “Deer” Park
Nara Park is located in central Nara. I was established in 1880 and is 1240 acres in size. However, that doesn’t include the temples and museums, which would add another 360 acres. The size alone kind of blows my mind, but to see everything the park has to offer… For now, we’ll stick to the park. I’ll get to the other areas we saw in future posts.
The park is home to over 1,000 deer with a lot of them being free roaming. Since the deer are considered to be messengers of the gods, they are a national treasure and treated with the utmost respect. Near the entrance special rice crackers are for sale, so patrons can feed the deer. Just be aware that while the deer are tame, they can be aggressive (I would say pushy) if they think you have food to share.
This info is from my experiences and Japan Guide. Credit where credit is due.
Accessibility of Nara Park
Parking
There is a paved parking lot on the premises. We took the train and then got taxis from the station to the park. We did have to walk from where we were dropped off to the entrance, but it wasn’t far.
Bathrooms
There was a bathroom near the entrance. It was busy, so I didn’t get to look at it closely accessibility wise, however, I believe there was a handicapped stall. Depending on where you approach the bathroom from, there are stairs, which you can see in the picture of me sitting with the deer. I believe it is accessible from another way that doesn’t have stairs.
My Experience at Nara Park
Nara Park was a fun experience that I would suggest you make time for if you’re in the Kansai region. We didn’t explore the park in it’s entirety, however, the parts we did see were beautiful. As we were walking between sites, I was surprised to see a sandy area with a pond and apparently there are turtles and carp. It would have been cool to see turtles and fish, we know from past experiences I love them.
When we got inside, I (along with a lot of my group mates) purchased the rice crackers. They aren’t kidding when they say the deer get excited. I got surrounded, but I wasn’t scared. While they aren’t gentle, per se, I wasn’t any where near bitten. I would assume that it is a possibility, since they are animals, so be mindful of where your fingers are. When my food supply gone I showed them my empty hands and they moved on. That being said, when they were looking for more I got bumped, lightly headbutted, and my jacket got nibbled on. Me being me, I just looked down at them and said, “No.” They moved on.
The goal was to pet the deer and I got to, so was satisfied. Just make sure you visit the bathroom and wash your hands when you’re done.
Things to note
Most of the terrain was either stone or what I typically call natural path (i.e. dirt, sand, other natural matter). So if you or your wheels are good with those, you’re golden.
Deer have deer ticks. I am from Minnesota, so I am familiar to various types of ticks and the diseases they can carry. I had no concerns about them since I know how to check myself for ticks (cue Brad Paisley song… :-D) and what bites look like. Despite being surrounded, I only had one crawling up the back of my jacket and one of my new friends got it for me. I didn’t even get the jeebs, but that’s probably because it wasn’t crawling under my clothes…
My rating
If I had to put a rating on this activity, I would say it fall into the easy category. The area of the park we were in were relatively flat, there were places to sit, and the deer were overall gentle. If you’re unsteady on your feet, you’ll have to be mindful of your needs so your butt doesn’t end up on the floor. None of the bumps or nudges were all that hard, but if you’re not expecting it you could be caught off guard.
Stairs, inclines, and a lot of walking are a thing, but they are more toward the other areas I mentioned and will talk about in future posts.
Unfortunately, Cardybear did not come on the Japan adventures. I wanted to bring him, but he takes up my whole backpack. He was definitely there in spirit though.
Be safe out there and remember your passport! Seeyalaterbye <3
Also, if you feel called to help a sista out with her travels, check this out!
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