We traveled from Osaka to Nara by train
and finally got to do something we had wanted to try for a long time:
feeding the deer at Nara Park.
Nara Park is a sightseeing destination
that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
It is also easy to combine with an Osaka trip,
with the journey taking around an hour by train.
In this guide,
we share what we learned about
traveling from Osaka to Nara,
feeding the deer safely,
toilets,
places to take a break,
and visiting Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha.
Getting from Shin-Osaka to Nara by Train
From
Shin-Osaka,
the journey to Nara takes around one hour by train.
That makes it easy to enjoy
both Osaka and Nara
during the same trip.
We traveled on a public holiday,
but the train was not especially crowded
and we were able to sit down.
The scenery gradually became quieter and more rural
as we approached Nara.
It was very relaxing.
We arrived at
JR Nara Station.
Coin lockers are available at the station.
At the time of our visit,
large lockers cost around
¥1,300
and smaller lockers around
¥1,000.
Locker prices may change.
Women’s Restrooms at JR Nara Station Can Get Busy
One practical thing we noticed was that
the women’s restroom at JR Nara Station was very crowded.
We waited around
15 minutes
before getting in.
Weekends and public holidays can be busy in Nara,
so it is worth allowing extra time.
There are restrooms inside Nara Park,
but the park is very large
and it can take time to find one.
Because JR Nara Station is also around a 20-minute walk from the park,
using the restroom before leaving the station
can be convenient.
Taking a Taxi from JR Nara Station to Nara Park
Walking from JR Nara Station to Nara Park
takes around
20 minutes,
and part of the route is slightly uphill.
We decided to take a taxi instead.
The ride took around
8 minutes
and cost about
¥1,300
during our visit.
It saved both time and energy,
which we appreciated before spending several hours walking around the park.
Our taxi driver also gave us helpful advice
about sightseeing routes inside Nara Park.
Feeding Deer Crackers at Nara Park
We finally arrived at
Nara Park!
There were far more deer
than we had imagined.
According to information available during our March 2026 visit,
there were
1,465 deer
in the Nara Park area.
There are several places around the park
where you can buy
shika senbei,
special crackers for the deer.
At the time of our visit,
a pack of 10 crackers cost
¥200.
We were advised to break the crackers into smaller pieces,
so that is what we did.
Many deer gathered near the cracker stands.
As soon as you are holding deer crackers,
the deer quickly start gathering around you.
Some deer politely bowed.
Others completely skipped the bowing
and came straight toward us（笑）.
A few even nibbled at our bags
or coats
while waiting for food.
Some deer took the crackers
very gently from our hands.
We had no problems with our fingers being bitten.
When you run out of crackers,
showing the deer your empty hands
can help signal that there is no more food.
The crackers disappeared incredibly quickly.
We ended up buying
four packs in total.
Relaxed Deer Around Nara Park
Not every deer was interested in food.
Some were simply sitting down
and relaxing.
So cute!
We loved seeing them
sitting with their legs folded underneath them.
This one even looked directly at the camera.
Nara Park is very large,
and deer are not limited to the main entrance area.
We also saw them near
Todaiji Temple
and around Kasuga Taisha.
They really are everywhere.
Be Careful Around Deer with Antlers
Some male deer in Nara Park
still have
visible antlers.
Even though the deer are accustomed to people,
the tips of the antlers can still be sharp.
There is always some risk
when getting very close to a wild animal.
For children,
older travelers,
and anyone who feels unsteady on their feet,
it is a good idea to keep a little distance
and avoid being surrounded by too many deer at once.
Feed them calmly
and pay attention to your surroundings.
Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha of Nara
Inside the Nara Park area,
you can also visit
Todaiji Temple,
home to the famous
Great Buddha of Nara.
At the time of our visit,
admission was
¥800 per person.
The Great Buddha is enormous.
Seeing it in person
was much more impressive than looking at photos.
We had previously seen large Buddha statues in Thailand,
but this one still felt incredibly powerful.
It is definitely worth seeing at least once.
On weekends and public holidays,
there may be a line to enter,
although our wait was not especially long.
There is also a souvenir area
where you can buy
Buddha-themed
and deer-themed items.
I bought a small deer ornament
for ¥660.
Where to Take a Break in Nara Park｜2 Recommended Tea Houses
If you want lunch,
tea,
or simply somewhere to sit down inside Nara Park,
these two traditional tea houses are good options.
Mizutani Chaya｜Deer, Matcha and Traditional Japanese Atmosphere
The first is
Mizutani Chaya.
You may see deer nearby
while enjoying tea
in a traditional Japanese setting.
The menu included items such as:
- Beef udon – ¥1,300
- Plain udon – ¥600
- Dainagon zenzai – ¥850
- Kasugano warabi mochi – ¥650
- Matcha with Japanese sweets – ¥850
- Iced coffee – ¥550
- Iced tea – ¥550
- Iced matcha latte – ¥600
- Hot coffee – ¥550
- Matcha latte – ¥600
- Beer – ¥550
Prices are from our visit
and may change.
The combination of
deer,
matcha,
and traditional Japanese scenery
makes this a very Nara-like place to take a break.
Kasuga Ninai Jaya｜A Quiet Place Surrounded by Nature
Another option is
Kasuga Ninai Jaya.
This tea house also has
a beautiful traditional atmosphere.
You can sit
either indoors
or outdoors.
The space felt quiet and spacious,
so it was easy to relax
surrounded by nature.
Unlike Mizutani Chaya,
we did not see deer here during our visit.
The menu included:
- Manyo-gayu rice porridge – ¥1,200
- Yamato specialty meal – ¥1,700
- Kakinoha sushi, 2 pieces – ¥460
- Homemade yomogi dango – ¥600
- Matcha with persimmon monaka – ¥850
- Yoshino kuzumochi – ¥550
- Persimmon cake set with a drink – from ¥800
- Iced coffee – ¥550
- Tea or iced tea – ¥550
- Orange or apple juice – ¥500
- Local sake with a small snack – ¥650
- Bottled beer with a small snack – ¥700
Again,
these prices are from our visit
and may change.
I ordered the
yomogi dango.
The dumplings were chewy
and very tasty.
They were surprisingly filling too.
Both tea houses had lovely atmospheres,
so either is worth considering.
Kasuga Ninai Jaya also had a restroom
that was relatively quiet during our visit,
which was useful in such a large park.
Kasuga Taisha Is Another Popular Stop
Many visitors also stop at
Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
We did not have enough time
to explore the shrine properly on this trip,
but we would like to visit
the next time we return to Nara.
Does Nara Park Smell Because of All the Deer?
Before visiting,
you may wonder whether
Nara Park smells strongly
or whether deer droppings are a problem.
During our visit,
we did not find the smell especially noticeable.
The park also felt surprisingly clean
considering how many deer live there.
Of course,
this may vary depending on
weather,
season,
and where you are walking.
What to Bring to Nara Park
After visiting ourselves,
these are the things we found especially useful.
1. Tissues and wet wipes
Deer may nibble at your bag
or coat
while looking for crackers.
Wet wipes are useful
if you get a little deer saliva on your belongings.
2. A small reusable bag or plastic bag
A small bag can be convenient
for carrying deer crackers.
If you hold the crackers openly for too long,
the deer may continue following you.
3. Comfortable walking shoes
Nara Park is large
and there are gravel paths in some areas.
Comfortable sneakers
or shoes that you do not mind getting slightly dirty
are a good idea.
Is Nara Park Worth Visiting from Osaka?
For us,
absolutely.
Nara Park was one of the most memorable experiences
of our Osaka and Nara trip.
The deer are adorable,
Todaiji Temple is impressive,
and traditional tea houses provide pleasant places
to rest between sightseeing stops.
For travelers in their 60s and beyond,
we found that
using a taxi from JR Nara Station,
taking regular breaks,
and wearing comfortable shoes
made the day easier.
It is also a destination
that works well for couples,
friends,
families,
and multigenerational trips.
If you are staying in Osaka
and want to experience
something completely different for a day,
Nara Park makes an easy and memorable day trip.
Where We Stayed Before Our Nara Day Trip
We stayed at
Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station
during this trip.
Its location next to Shin-Osaka Station
made traveling to Nara very convenient.
▶ Check Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka rates and availability on Ikyu.com
