Nara’s 1,200 wild deer bow for crackers and escort you to Japan’s greatest surviving ancient architecture — an experience unique in the world. This nara walking tour companion is paired with “NARA, JAPAN [4K] Nara Deer Park & Tōdai-ji Temple — Walking Tour” — a walk through Japan’s original capital that takes in the freely roaming sika deer, the Great South Gate, and the Hall of the Great Buddha housing the largest bronze Buddha in Japan.

About This Walking Tour

This 4K walking tour covers Nara Park — the historic city’s central green space that is simultaneously a nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage area — and the temple complex of Tōdai-ji within it. The video shows the sika deer moving freely among visitors, a behaviour pattern maintained since 768 AD when the deer were first designated as sacred messengers of the Kasuga Shrine. Deer biscuits (shika senbei) can be purchased at park entrances and the deer have learned to bow in exchange for them — a behaviour that has made them one of the most photographed animal populations in Japan.

The route proceeds to Tōdai-ji through the Nandaimon Great South Gate (1203) — whose two massive wooden guardian figures by Unkei and Kaikei are considered masterpieces of Kamakura-period sculpture — and into the Daibutsuden, the Hall of the Great Buddha. Inside stands the Daibutsu: a 15-metre bronze seated Buddha (Vairocana) flanked by two bodhisattvas, cast between 745 and 752 AD and the largest bronze casting in Japan. The hall itself is the world’s largest wooden building.

The walk extends to the Kasuga Grand Shrine through the primeval forest, and through the preserved machiya district of Naramachi to the south.

Highlights of Nara

Tōdai-ji’s Daibutsuden was first completed in 752 AD and burned twice — in 1180 and 1567 — with the current hall dating to 1709. Even the current reconstruction is larger than any other wooden structure in the world, and is only two-thirds the size of the original Tang Dynasty-inspired hall. The bronze Daibutsu itself, though repaired multiple times, largely retains its original casting from the 8th century. A popular tradition involves trying to squeeze through a hole in one of the rear pillars of the hall — it is the same diameter as one of the Daibutsu’s nostrils and is said to bring enlightenment.

Kasuga Grand Shrine, founded in 768 AD to protect the new capital of Nara, is approached through the primeval Kasugayama forest — which has been protected from logging since the shrine’s founding, making it one of Japan’s oldest protected forests. The shrine’s 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns are lit twice a year during the Mantoro lantern festivals.

Naramachi, the historic merchant district south of the park, preserves Edo-period machiya townhouses converted to cafes, sake breweries, and craft shops. Indigo dyeing, sake production, and hand-cut paper goods are traditional crafts associated with the district.

A Brief History of Nara

Nara (then called Heijō-kyō) was Japan’s first permanent capital city, established in 710 AD on the model of Tang Dynasty Chang’an by Emperor Genmei. The city served as capital until 784 AD — a period of just 74 years, but one during which Japan’s national identity, Buddhist institutions, and artistic traditions were established. The Tōdai-ji temple was the head temple of Japan’s network of provincial temples and the Great Buddha was cast in a national project involving the entire country’s bronze supply.

The deer were declared sacred messengers in 768 AD when Takemikazuchi, one of the four deities of Kasuga Shrine, was said to have arrived riding a white deer. They have been protected ever since, with the death penalty applying historically and protected status continuing today. The approximately 1,200 deer are free to roam the park and surrounding temple lands but do not generally venture into the surrounding city.

Practical Tips

Nara is 45 minutes from Kyoto by JR Nara Line and 35 minutes from Osaka by Kintetsu Nara Line. Both Kintetsu and JR Nara stations are within walking distance of the park entrance. Japan uses the yen. Tōdai-ji admission is 800 yen. Kasuga Grand Shrine has free entry to the outer precinct and 500 yen for the inner sanctuary. Naramachi is free to walk. Deer biscuits are sold at multiple stands around the park for 200 yen. Note: the deer are wild animals and can be aggressive if food is visible — hold biscuits at waist level and be prepared.

Best Time to Visit

Late March to early April brings cherry blossoms throughout the park. October–November offers autumn foliage. Both seasons are very crowded. Weekday mornings offer a much calmer experience of the deer and temple precinct than weekend afternoons.

Watch & Explore More

The full 4K walk through Nara Park and Tōdai-ji is embedded above. Find more Japan content at the @walkingtoursvideoscom channel. Related posts: Kyoto’s Gion and Fushimi Inari walk and Osaka’s Dotonbori to Osaka Castle walk.