Meeting the Nara Deer: Best Tips to Enjoy Your Deer Experience

Meeting the famous deer in Nara and looking for some tips? Here’s everything I learned (and what you should know) to stay safe and make the most of this unique and adorable animal encounter.

Intro: Nara Park

Nara Park is where all the free-roaming deer are located. And let’s be honest, the deer are the main event when visiting Nara! They are adorable, intelligent, chaotic and also pretty hilarious. If you’re lucky and get to visit in June/July, then you get to see adorable baby deer during their baby season!!

There are so many deer in Nara Park so I wanted to provide several tips so that you can have the best experience with these adorable deer.

Nara deer everywhere! • photos by Jeanie A

1. Feed Deer Only Special Deer Crackers

You can buy deer crackers made specially for the deer. They are called shika senbei and can be purchased on-site with yen cash.

2. Bow And Reward Deer Bowing back

Most deer have learned to bow, so if you bow at them and they bow back, then in return, they usually expect a cracker treat.

Bow and reward Deer if they Bow back • photos by Jeanie A

3. Show Empty Hands

If you are not planning to continue feeding crackers, or simply run out or don’t have any crackers, show both your empty palms outward at them so that they see you do not have any crackers to give them

4. Hide Crackers

When you are not actively feeding the deer, hide crackers in your pocket so that they don’t follow or chase you.

5. Stay Calm At All Times

Some males can be a bit aggressive and may seem like they are charging you. Just stay calm and show them your empty hands to prove you have no crackers to give them.

6. Be Aware of Antler’d Deer

Most deer antlers should have been harmlessly removed so that they are not long and pointy, but some may still have long-ish antlers. Just be careful around these guys and stay calm.

7. Be Gentle

Some deer may be okay with being petted, but if you choose to do this, approach them carefully and gently. Do not try to go and pet at them aggressively to not scare or frighten them.

8. Respect the Deer

With any wild (and even semi-wild) animals treat them with respect and compassion.

Free-roaming Wild Deer in Nara • photos by Jeanie A

Final Words

Visiting the Nara deer is a bucket list item when visiting Japan. To make the most of your experience, know how to feed and treat the adorable deer and follow these Nara deer tips. You will sure to leave Nara with lasting memories of these cuties.

Have you met the deer in Nara? What was your favorite memory?
Let me know in the comments below!