Should you feed the deer in Nara?


Should you feed the deer in Nara? Special crackers (shika senbei) that contain ingredients safe for deer to eat are for sale in packs of about 10 for 150 yen. Just look for the carts/kiosks scattered throughout the park. Do not feed the deer any food meant for human consumption.


Why do the deer in Nara bow?

Yusa has the following hypothesis about this: "A long time ago, the deer in the capital Nara were afraid of humans, so they might have started bowing as a result of being stressed. However, the city gradually became a sightseeing spot and the deer learned to bow to people to get Shika Senbei rice crackers.


Is Nara Deer park free?

Admission is free, but you will most likely wish to purchase deer crackers during your visit. A pack of ten crackers costs 150 yen. The Todaiji Temple is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm during the months of April through October, and 8 am to 4:30 pm from November through March.


Are Nara deers aggressive?

I always imagined deers to be too uptight and ready to flee upon sensing the presence of people, but these deers made me appreciate them up close, so friendly. Be careful though feeding them, because once a deer gets a piece of acorn or deer food, the rest would gang up on you, crazy.