A Trip to Nara Deer Park: A Journey of Deer, Temples, and Amazing Food

One of the first trips my girlfriend and I took in Japan was to the Nara Deer Park, a place famous for its friendly (and sometimes pushy) deer, stunning temples, and delicious local cuisine. This adventure was full of unforgettable moments, from a deer chasing my girlfriend to me suffering through a painful tooth infection by the end of our journey. But let’s start with the good parts!

The Enchanting Nara Deer Park

The moment we arrived at Nara Deer Park, we were surrounded by hundreds of freely roaming deer. These creatures are considered sacred messengers of the gods in Shinto belief, and they are deeply integrated into the city’s culture. What’s really amusing is their ability to bow—yes, they actually bow! The deer have learned that if they lower their heads, tourists are more likely to reward them with special deer crackers (shika senbei), which are sold everywhere in the park.

At first, we thought this was adorable. My girlfriend eagerly held out some crackers, and the deer immediately surrounded her, bowing repeatedly. However, things quickly escalated when a male deer decided that patience was overrated and began chasing her around! She ran, trying to escape, while I stood there laughing—it was simply too funny watching her get hunted by an overly eager deer. (She might disagree with my perspective, though!)

Interestingly, while the deer in the Nara Deer Park are revered and protected, in other parts of Japan, deer meat is considered a delicacy. This is something the Swiss and Japanese have in common—both cultures enjoy venison as part of their cuisine. It’s fascinating how the perception of deer varies depending on the region. In Nara, they are worshipped; elsewhere, they are eaten.

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The Grandeur of Tōdai-ji Temple

After our hilarious deer encounter, we visited Tōdai-ji, one of the most famous temples in Japan. This ancient Buddhist temple houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), an awe-inspiring 15-meter-tall bronze statue. Walking into the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) was an incredible experience—its massive wooden structure and spiritual atmosphere left us in awe. We also saw the famous pillar with a hole at its base, which is said to be the size of the Buddha’s nostril. If you crawl through it, it’s supposed to bring good luck. Neither of us attempted it, but watching others struggle (or succeed) was entertaining.

The Best Beef Rice Boxes Ever

Nara is not just about temples and deer—it also has amazing food. One of the highlights of our trip was the beef rice boxes. The meat was so tender, perfectly seasoned, and paired with fluffy Japanese rice. Every bite was an explosion of umami. I still dream about those rice boxes, and I swear, if I go back to Nara, it’ll be one of the first things I eat!

The Sushi Wrapped in Persimmon Leaves

Another local specialty that completely won me over was the sushi wrapped in kaki (persimmon) leaves. These little sushi pieces are wrapped tightly in the leaves, which act as a natural preservative, keeping them fresh for longer. The subtle flavor from the leaves gave the sushi a unique taste that I absolutely loved. This was definitely one of my personal favorites, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Nara.

The Unfortunate Toothache

As much as I loved our trip, it didn’t end on the best note for me. Near the end, I developed a terrible root infection in one of my teeth. The pain was unbearable, making it difficult to enjoy our last few meals. The one silver lining? Dental care in Japan is surprisingly cheap. When I finally saw a dentist, I was shocked at how affordable and efficient the treatment was—definitely a relief considering how much pain I was in.

A Trip to Remember

Our trip to Nara Deer Park was a mix of laughter, adventure, and (unfortunately) pain. From bowing deer to world-famous temples, delicious food, and unexpected chases, it was a journey I’ll never forget. Despite the toothache, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. And next time, maybe I’ll be the one getting chased by a deer while my girlfriend gets to enjoy the show!