<strong>Nara Deer Park:</strong> Established in 1880, this is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Located in the city of Nara, it sits at the foot of Mount Wakakusa.
Nara Deer Park: Established in 1880, this is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Located in the city of Nara, it sits at the foot of Mount Wakakusa.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Visiting the park: </strong>The deer, wild and out in the open in the park, have grown accustomed to interacting with human visitors.
Visiting the park: The deer, wild and out in the open in the park, have grown accustomed to interacting with human visitors.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Snack time:</strong> In search of treats, the animals confidently approach visitors.
Snack time: In search of treats, the animals confidently approach visitors.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Photo opp: </strong>Many visitors like to share photos of themselves feeding the deer.
Photo opp: Many visitors like to share photos of themselves feeding the deer.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Shika-senbei: </strong>These special deer rice crackers available from vendors at the park can be purchased upon arrival.
Shika-senbei: These special deer rice crackers available from vendors at the park can be purchased upon arrival.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Retreating: </strong>Some get the deer sign-language better than others. The animals can become pushy when visitors begin to back away.
Retreating: Some get the deer sign-language better than others. The animals can become pushy when visitors begin to back away.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Safety signs: </strong>The Nara Prefectural Government has installed updated safety signs throughout the grounds.
Safety signs: The Nara Prefectural Government has installed updated safety signs throughout the grounds.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Smart creatures:</strong> In search of more treats, the most conniving deer make their way to the entrance near the temples and distract tourists from making it too far into the grounds.
Smart creatures: In search of more treats, the most conniving deer make their way to the entrance near the temples and distract tourists from making it too far into the grounds.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>All ages:</strong> Baby deer are hard to resist; stock up on treats so you have enough to go around.
All ages: Baby deer are hard to resist; stock up on treats so you have enough to go around.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Home sweet home:</strong> The deer are nearly always impressively tame and welcoming to visitors, who are just that — visitors in the deer's abode.
Home sweet home: The deer are nearly always impressively tame and welcoming to visitors, who are just that — visitors in the deer's abode.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>The park's popularity:</strong> Foreign visitors to the park have increased nearly 10 times between 2012-2017.
The park's popularity: Foreign visitors to the park have increased nearly 10 times between 2012-2017.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Trip highlight:</strong> The deer are generally peaceful, and their impressive bows are a delightful sight to behold.
Trip highlight: The deer are generally peaceful, and their impressive bows are a delightful sight to behold.
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Rare opportunity: </strong>How often does one get the chance to hang with dozens of roaming animals in an unenclosed space?
Rare opportunity: How often does one get the chance to hang with dozens of roaming animals in an unenclosed space?
Joshua Mellin
<strong>Saying goodbye:</strong> When you run out of snacks, that's when you know to it's time to wave bye-bye.
Saying goodbye: When you run out of snacks, that's when you know to it's time to wave bye-bye.
Joshua Mellin