The Bald Traveler Review:
One of the most famous parks in the Osaka region is the Nara Deer Park. It sits close to Todai-Ji which is the largest Bronze Buddha in Japan. The Deer are known for bowing when you approach. The do this as they have been trained that when they bow people will give them a cracker. These crackers are for sale around the park and are made for the deer. However, the deer will also try and grab anything in a white plastic bag as they know that’s where the crackers are. If you are going to Todai-Ji or another shrine buy some crackers and enjoy the bowing deer.
When to go
The park is open 24 hours a day but the crackers are sold normally between 9AM and 5PM. In late March / Early April the Sakura Blossoms are in bloom and in November the leaves will be the most colorful in their change.
What is Nearby?
Nara has a lot of shrines and shops around the park and between the park and the train stations.
How to get there
From Osaka if you have a JR Rail Pass you can take the Yamatoji Line to Nara Station. Or if you want a quicker route not on JR you can take the Kintetsu-Nara Line from Osaka-Namba Station to Kinetetsu-Nara Station. This puts you closer to Nara Park.
From Kyoto you take the Nara Line to Nara Station from Kyoto Station. The Nara line passes by Fushimi Inari shrine which is a nice stopover either out to or back from Nara via Kyto.
Hours of operation
The park is open 24 hours a day as it is a public park. The cracker vendors typically sell between 9AM and 5PM.
Cost
The park is free, you will need to money to buy crackers for the deer which is ¥150 for 10 crackers. There is also shopping and food around the park.
Website
https://www.visitnara.jp/destinations/area/nara-park/
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Cheers,
Dave…