Nara Kōen (奈良公園, Nara Park) is one of Japan’s most charming and historically rich destinations. Famous for its freely roaming deer, it also houses some of the country’s most important temples and landmarks.
- It is home to over 1,000 sacred deer who live freely in the park. In Shinto belief, these deer are messengers of the gods, especially for Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
- The deer are surprisingly polite - many will bow before or after being fed, a behavior they've learned from years of interacting with humans!
- Nara Park is home to Tōdai-ji Temple, where you'll find the Daibutsu, or Great Buddha. The temple itself is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.