Nara, Japan
The deer in Nara really do bow. They have worked out that bowing produces a cracker, which reads as charming until you are down to your last one and being followed. Nara is about an hour east of Osaka by train. It is known for its many historical temples and shrines, as well as its wild deer, which roam freely throughout the city and even know how to bow.
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Nara include:
- Todai-ji Temple: This temple is home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue.
- Kofuku-ji Temple: This temple is one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara and is home to a number of important Buddhist treasures.
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine: This shrine is known for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, as well as its hundreds of tame deer.
- Nara Park: This park is home to over 1,000 wild deer, which are considered sacred in Nara. Visitors can buy deer crackers to feed the deer.
- Tsutaya Books Nara: a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. It is a great place to find the latest books, as well as to discover new authors and genres. The store also has a number of events as well as lots of souvenir worthy items other than books.. If you are looking for a great bookstore in Nara, be sure to check out Tsutaya Books Nara. You won’t be disappointed!
Nara is also a great place to experience traditional Japanese culture. The city has a number of museums and cultural centers dedicated to Japanese arts and crafts, such as calligraphy, origami, and kimono making. We spent two nights in Nara and it was way more interesting than we were told by others. Would 100% go back to see more!
