Nara Park

Park

Last updated September 07, 2026 Reviewed by the Japan Voyage editorial team

Part of Nara

Prefecture

Nara

Type

Park

N/A

0 reviews

English Staff Restaurant Train Access Cafe Vegetarian

About This Destination

Historic park home to over 1,000 freely roaming sacred deer and several UNESCO World Heritage temples.

Nara Park is a sprawling 502-hectare public park that serves as the cultural heart of the ancient capital of Nara. The park is famous for its population of over 1,000 wild sika deer, considered divine messengers in Shinto tradition and designated as national natural treasures. Visitors can purchase special deer crackers to feed them. The park encompasses several of Japan's most important cultural sites, including Todai-ji Temple with its Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofuku-ji Temple, all designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Location

Prefecture: Nara

Address: Nara, Japan

Nearest Station: Nara

Best time to visit: Year-round; cherry blossoms in spring and foliage in autumn, with the bowing deer a draw in every season

View on Google Maps

Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: Many restaurants and cafes around the park; mochi and local Nara cuisine available

Access

Nara, Japan

Get Directions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Nara Park?

It is about a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station, or around 20 minutes from JR Nara Station. The park spreads east toward Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha.

How should I behave around the deer?

The roughly 1,300 sika deer are wild. Feed them only the official shika senbei crackers, do not tease them, watch your bags and paper items, and be careful with small children during the autumn rutting season.

Is Nara Park free, and what's inside it?

The park itself is free and always open. Within or beside it are Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji and the Nara National Museum, which charge their own admissions.