Nara

Nara, the capital of Nara Prefecture, is a charming and bustling city located just an hour south of Kyoto by train. It is home to the world’s oldest standing wooden structure, Horyuji Temple, which dates back to 607 AD.

During my visit, I had planned to explore both Nara Park, which is just a short walk from the train station, and Horyuji Temple, but the park wore me out!

As a big fan of venison, I found this place especially…tantalizing. Backstrap city! (That one was for you, Dad)

Spanning around 1,200 acres, Nara Park is not only home to stunning Shinto shrines like Tōdai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, and the Kasuga Grand Shrine, but also to the Nara National Museum. And the real surprise? The park is populated by an estimated 1,200 Sika Deer that roam freely. These deer were once considered sacred, so much so that killing one was a capital offense. Although their divine status changed after WWII, they are still protected as national treasures.

The video at the end of the gallery will give you a pretty good idea of “deer roaming free.”