Nara
Explore Nara travel guides, temples, deer park, historic sites, food spots, and easy day trips. Discover Japan’s first permanent capital.
Nara Deer Antler Cutting Ceremony: Tradition or Animal Cruelty?
Every autumn, the ancient capital of Nara becomes the stage for one of Japan’s most unusual and visually striking traditions — the Nara Deer Antler Cutting Ceremony, or Shika no Tsunokiri. The three-day ritual, held each October at Rokuen Park near Kasuga Taisha Shrine, attracts thousands of visitors who gather to witness Shinto priests, herders,…
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 a day visit to Nara Deer Park, a place that has earned a worldwide reputation for its friendly and occasionally pushy deer, its beautifully preserved temples, and its comforting local food. Since Nara is only about 30 minutes from Osaka by train,…