One Day Itinerary in Nara

Nara is all about two things: Deer and Shrines and in that order.  The deer have over run not only Nara Park but the surrounding area.   Both can easily be seen in a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto as it is located about an hour from either city.  You can use the JR pass to travel there from either city.  I don’t even think you need a full day in Nara as you can easily see the main sites within 4-5 hours depending on how many photos you take since everything is within a couple of mile radius.  When you arrive in Nara, I would take a bus that is located right outside the station to Nara park.  If you would rather walk, it is about 20 minutes by foot.

Even though you don’t need a full day, I would get an early start.  Nara isn’t very crowded in the morning but by the afternoon it is swarming with tourists.  I would suggest arriving to the city around 8am when Todaiji Temple opens. Today Temple is the main attraction within the area and where I would suggest starting your day.  It is also known as Great Buddha Hall.   You can easily see how it gets its’ name when you go inside and see the Giant Buddhas.

You won’t have made it inside of Todaiji Temple without first seeing the deer.  Since Todaiji Temple is the biggest tourist attraction, the deer gather here to get food from tourists  and are most aggressive in this area.  Some simple rules will help you get along with the deer nicely.

1. Don’t run from the deer!  If you start running then they will start chasing you.
2. Don’t tease them with food.  This can be said for all animals.  If you are going to feed them, then place the food on the ground or let them eat from your hand.  But don’t put it out towards them and then pull it away.
3. If you don’t have food or don’t want to them near you, then wave your hands with your open empty palms towards them making an x. They have been trained to understand this hand signal.  I was amazed at how well it worked to get them to back off.
4. Feed them only the deer crackers which you can purchase there for 150 Yen.  
5. When feeding them, watch out as all other deers will smell the food and start surrounding you.
6. Give the deer food to them directly after purchasing it.  Don’t carry it around with you because the deer will smell the remnants in your bag.  I witnessed many people make this mistake and the deers would keep coming up to them sniffing their bags even after they had run out of deer crackers.  Luckily, they don’t seem to pick up the smell of human food.  I had some snacks in my bag and they never bothered me.
7. Get the deer to “bow” to you.  They have been trained to mimic the movement of bowing in order to receive the food.  Now granted this looks more like them shaking their head up and down signaling yes but it is the effort that counts!  It was really cool to watch a child and a deer bowing back in forth in the park.
8. They do remove the bucks from the deer because occasionally they will nudge people using their head when they are trying to get food.  This will only happen to you if you don’t follow the rules above.  You can only imagine how many injuries would occur if they had their antlers!  It is very sad that they are removed but it is necessary since they interact so much with people.  

   

After you get done with Todaiji Temple and playing with the deer surrounding it, then I would just spend your time wandering the surrounding area.  There are several other shrines which are well marked throughout the park.  Or you can use one of my travel tips and favorite them all in Google maps so you can easily navigate the area even if you don’t have data.

My second favorite temple was Nigatsu-do.  It is free to climb up and there is a beautiful view of the park.  I visited in November when the leaves were just starting to change colors and the view was amazing.

Wakamiya Shrine  and Kasuga-taisha Temple are two other major attractions in the park.  I didn’t pay to go inside but instead I just wandered around the outside of these areas enjoying the scenery and random deer.   I also got to glimpse some families and a geisha worshipping.  Sometimes it is more interesting in watching the culture then the big attractions.

You have probably worked up an appetite walking around the park so it is time for lunch!  I ate at Wakakusa Curry which is famous for its’ Japanese curry.  What I loved was that you actually try four of their curries all in one dish.  All of them were amazing!  Wakakusa Curry is on your walk back to the train station which made it convenient as well!

Hope you enjoy your day in Nara as much as I did!