The deer of Nara at a glance
The deer in Nara Park are Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon). The herd is known as "Nara no Shika" and is protected as a national natural monument. They live freely in the park and its surroundings. They are wild animals, not a petting zoo, and that shapes every rule on this page.
A count on 15 and 16 July 2026 found 1,687 deer: 411 males, 990 females and 286 fawns. A year earlier the count was 1,465. This is a snapshot of the herd, not a promise about how many animals you will see at one time.
Entering the park costs nothing, and so does watching the deer. The only food you may give them is the special cracker, the shika senbei. This site is an independent guide and has no connection with the prefecture or the protection foundation.
Do the deer really bow?
What the gesture is and what it is not.
Many deer lower their head and ears when they see food in your hand. Visitors read this as a bow. It is a response to the crackers, and how often it happens depends on how much contact the deer have with people. It is not thanks and not a courtesy ritual. You cannot count on a deer to react if you bow to it, and not every deer bows. Treat it as a charming moment, not as a sign that the animal is calm.
Our picks: Nara Park tours
Tours with deer food included, from an e-bike ride to a walk with a mochi tasting.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Great Buddha Hall and Kasuga Taisha walk
Three hours with a local guide in your language. The Great Buddha Hall, the prayer area at Kasuga Taisha and deer food are included; meals and drinks are extra.
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E-bike tour through Nara
E-bike, guide, deer food in Nara Park, Todai-ji entry, an introduction to Japanese knives and a snack are included. More deer food, drinks and tips are extra.
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Todai-ji walk with mochi tasting
Four hours with an English-speaking local guide. Todai-ji entry, one pack of deer food per group and a fresh mochi tasting are included.
Check availability →Nara tours with the deer
Guided walks through Nara Park and day trips from Kyoto and Osaka, with live prices and availability.
Shika senbei: the deer crackers
The only food you may give.
Shika senbei are flat crackers made of wheat flour and rice bran, without added sugar. A bundle of 10 costs JPY 200 in 2026. Stands and shops in and around the park sell them. Prices can differ from seller to seller, so check the sign before you pay.
Feeding the deer is not allowed in general, and the crackers are the one exception. Do not bring your own snacks, bread, vegetables or leftovers. Grass, leaves and other plants are the natural food of the deer, and the crackers are only an extra snack.
How to hand over a cracker
Five steps that keep you and the animals calm.
1. Secure your things first
Close your bag and put away plastic bags, maps and brochures before you take out crackers. Once you hold crackers, expect several animals to come close.
2. Give one cracker at a time
Hand over single crackers. Do not hold them high, do not tease and do not pull them away.
3. Show your empty hands when you are done
When the crackers are gone, open your hands to show that they are empty. The deer will usually lose interest.
4. Keep children with an adult
Small children should only feed the deer together with an adult. Do not let children approach the animals alone.
5. Wash your hands afterwards
Wash your hands after touching a deer or a cracker. Do not touch the animals without need.
Rules and risks at a glance
Bites, kicks, charging and antler thrusts are all possible.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your own food | Keep it in a closed bag. Feed only deer crackers. |
| Plastic bags, maps, brochures | Secure them. Deer reach for paper and plastic, and swallowing it can be fatal. |
| Litter | Take it with you. Never leave it behind in the park. |
| Dogs | Keep them on a lead and away from the deer. Frightened deer can hurt people, dogs or traffic. |
| A deer behaves aggressively | Do not hit it and do not chase it. Step back calmly and give it space. |
| Children | Stay close. Never let them approach the animals alone. |
| Autumn | Take extra care near males in the rutting season. |
| After the births | Take extra care near mothers with fawns. |
These rules are not meant to scare you. They keep you and the animals safe.
Fawns, mothers and the autumn season
Why the calendar matters.
Fawns are normally born from mid-May to July, with a peak around mid-June. A mother can defend her young, so do not approach a fawn and never touch it, even if it lies alone in the grass. In 2026 the usual presentation of mothers with fawns from June is not held.
In autumn the males are in the rut and can be more aggressive. Keep a respectful distance from animals with antlers. The same care applies in spring and early summer, when mothers are protective.
Where to go next
The deer are everywhere in the park, and so are the sights.
Kasuga Taisha
The shrine with its bronze and stone lanterns, where deer also walk.
Best time to visit
Seasons, leaves and what they mean for the deer.
Things to do in Nara
Twelve ideas beyond the deer.
The Great Buddha Hall is one of the main stops in the park. Todai-ji has its own guide with tickets and hours.
Nara deer: frequently asked questions
How many deer live in Nara Park?
A count on 15 and 16 July 2026 found 1,687 deer, including 411 males, 990 females and 286 fawns. The year before it was 1,465. The number changes over the year, and the animals do not stay in one place.
Can I feed the deer anything I like?
No. Feeding is not allowed in general. Only the deer crackers sold as shika senbei are an exception. Bread, vegetables, snacks and leftovers are not allowed.
How much do the deer crackers cost?
JPY 200 for 10 crackers in 2026. Several stands and shops sell them, and prices may vary a little from seller to seller.
Are the deer dangerous?
They are wild animals. Bites, kicks, charging and antler thrusts happen. Take extra care with rutting males in autumn and with mothers after the births. Children should never go to the animals alone.
Do the deer bow to visitors?
Many lower their head when they see food. It is a reaction to the crackers, not a greeting, and no deer has to bow. Do not rely on it.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs must be kept on a lead and away from the deer. A frightened deer can harm people, dogs or traffic.