Todai-ji
Nara, Japan
Nara Park
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Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, always open
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; temples and museums in the park keep their own hours
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Deer
- About 1,500, roaming freely
- Senbei crackers
- About ¥200 a pack
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - In the park
- Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Taisha, museum
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours — half a day with temples
- Getting there
- Kintetsu from Osaka ≈ 40 minutes; 5 minutes on foot from the station
Key facts
1,465deer counted in summer 2025 — a record
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nippon.com1880the year the park was founded
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en.wikipediaMonumentNara's deer are a protected Natural Monument of Japan
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en.wikipediaMessengersin legend, the deer are messengers of the Kasuga gods
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en.wikipedia≈ ¥200a pack of shika senbei crackers
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travel guidesUNESCOthe temples around the park — Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
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en.wikipediaFreeentry to the park
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en.wikipedia5 minuteson foot from Kintetsu-Nara station
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travel guidesWhat is Nara Park?
Nara Park, Nara-koen, is a large city park on the eastern side of central Nara, founded in 1880. It isn't a fenced park with gates but a huge open area of lawns, woods and ponds that holds the main temples of the ancient capital: Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Taisha shrine and the Nara National Museum.
The park's highlight is its deer. About 1,500 sika deer roam freely: in summer 2025, 1,465 were counted — more than ever before. In legend the deer are messengers of the Kasuga shrine's gods, and today they're a protected Natural Monument of Japan. They aren't tame in the usual sense, but they aren't afraid of people.
How to feed the deer
Shika senbei — round crackers of rice flour and bran — are sold at stalls throughout the park for about ¥200 a pack. The money goes to deer conservation. As soon as you buy crackers, deer will gather round, so hand them out one at a time.
Many deer bow to ask for a treat: bow back, and they'll bow again. When the crackers run out, show your empty palms — the deer understand. There are few bins in the park, so take your wrappers with you; deer may eat them.
What to see
- Deer — on the lawns and by the temples.
- Todai-ji with its Great Buddha.
- Kofuku-ji with its pagoda at the park entrance.
- Kasuga Taisha and its avenues of stone lanterns.
- Sarusawa Pond on the southern edge.
- Mount Wakakusa — a view over the park.
How to get to Nara Park
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Todai-ji is about 11 min away on foot.
- Kasuga Taisha is about 14 min away on foot.
- Nara National Museum is about 11 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Osaka — Kintetsu from Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu-Nara, about 40 minutes; then 5 minutes on foot east.
- From Kyoto — Kintetsu with a change or a direct limited express, about 45 minutes; or JR to Nara station.
- From JR Nara — about 20 minutes on foot along Sanjo-dori, or a city bus.
- Around the park — on foot; about 20 minutes from the station to Todai-ji.
- Loop bus — links the stations with the main temples.
Nara Park or Arashiyama in Kyoto
| Nara Parkyou are here | Deer and ancient temples | Free | ≈ 40 minutes | Half a day with temples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arashiyama | Bamboo grove and river | Free | ≈ 1 hour | Half a day |
How long do you need?
A walk round the park with the deer takes 1.5 hours. Add Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Taisha and it becomes half a day — the classic trip from Osaka or Kyoto.
The best time is morning: the deer haven't been overfed yet, the temples are just opening and there are fewer groups. In autumn the park turns red with maples, in spring the cherry trees bloom, and in October the traditional antler-cutting of the stags takes place.
An easy route: from Kintetsu-Nara station past Kofuku-ji, across the park to Todai-ji, then to Kasuga Taisha and back to the station via Sarusawa Pond. Along the way there are plenty of lawns and shady woods to sit and watch the deer.
Is Nara Park worth visiting?
Yes: deer among ancient temples are the most unusual sight near Osaka and Kyoto, loved by children and adults alike.
The YesGo take: by the main cracker stalls the deer can be pushy and jostle, which may scare small children. Head deeper into the park, where the deer are calmer and there are fewer people. And don't stop at the deer: Todai-ji and its Great Buddha are worth the trip on their own.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Nature walks: compare and choose
Parks and natural sights rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Nara Parkyou are here | 48 | 1 h 30 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasuga Taisha | 37 | 1 h | outer area free; corridors ¥700 | 11 min walk |
| Mount Wakakusa | 35 | 1 h 30 min | ¥150 | 21 min walk |
Nara in a day
The deer and Kofuku-ji in the morning, Todai-ji's Great Buddha at midday, and the lanterns of Kasuga Taisha in the afternoon. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Kofuku-ji1 h · grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900
- 20 min walk from the previous stopNara Parkyou are here1 h 30 min · free
- 9 min walk from the previous stopTodai-ji1 h 30 min · ¥800
- 20 min walk from the previous stopKasuga Taisha1 h · outer area free; corridors ¥700
4 places · about 5 h 49 min with walks · 49 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Feed the deer only senbei crackers.
- Bow — the deer will bow back.
- Show empty hands when the crackers run out.
- The deer are calmer in the morning.
- The main sight nearby: Todai-ji.
Questions
Is there an entry fee for Nara Park?
No, the park is free and always open.
How many deer are there?
About 1,500: 1,465 were counted in summer 2025.
What can I feed the deer?
Only shika senbei crackers, about ¥200 a pack.
Are the deer dangerous?
They can push or nip, especially stags in autumn; don't tease them.
How do I get there from Osaka?
Kintetsu from Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu-Nara, about 40 minutes.
What is there to see in the park?
Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Taisha and the National Museum.
How long do you need?
1.5 hours for the park, half a day with the temples.
Why do the deer bow?
That's how they ask for crackers; bow back to them.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Nara Park — founding, the deer as a Natural Monument, the messenger legend
- nippon.com — the deer preservation foundation's July 2025 count
- Travel guides — cracker price, access, deer tips (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q1186358 — coordinates
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