While on our autumn trip to Osaka we ventured out to a neighbouring city called Nara. It’s a more serene city, with a majority of sightseeing spots being temples and shrines dating back to the 8th century, when Nara was Japan’s capital.
The main attraction, however, are the creatures that inhabit the vast temple and park grounds — deer! They sleep in the mountains at night and come down to the city during the day to be endlessly fed by the many roaming tourists.
Deer are considered sacred animals in Nara and are therefore strictly off-limits from being hunted or trapped, so there are quite a few of them, all eager to greet those who pass by bowing (a trick they supposedly learned from local monks in order to receive food). Albeit their friendly ways, keep in mind that nothing is safe from their hangry nibbles — including that nice, new jacket or your expensive camera lens!
Visiting Nara in its autumnal prime was very special, and I imagine spring would be the same. Definitely worth a visit if you’re staying in Osaka, as it’s only a 45 minute train away.
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