2025 KCJS Travel Log: Nara
旅に行こう：奈良
“Have you ever been to Nara to see the deer?”
“I have, when I was around twelve. Though if you’re planning to go now, I bet it’ll be packed.”
“Hmmm. Not if we leave around 5 am.”
“Hmmm…”
There seemed to be a pattern of making spontaneous travel plans during meals this trip. Over one of the weekends in July, I greeted an empty Kyoto around 5:45 am as I walked towards the meeting point my friend’s host family had scheduled. The streets were tinted blue at dawn, and the weather was even somewhat pleasant. Not before long, a neon green minivan spun around the main street of Karasuma and slowly cruised towards me. I was told of the host family’s eye-catching vehicle, but seeing it in person definitely caught me off guard from the everyday muted colors of white, black, or grey familiar to Kyoto streets. I introduced myself to the host family, and we drove south towards Nara.
Arriving around 6:45 am, the park was basically empty, except for the local deer population, mostly sound asleep apart from the few curious outliers who heard our vehicle pulling up. The host family dropped us off at the park’s entrance, and we wandered in. We walked around the park in silence, appreciating this break from the Kyoto urban landscape and busy commutes. Following the signs, we made our way to Tōdai-ji, a large wooden temple founded in 750 CE that housed the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. I wanted to see the Imperial Treasury as well, but unfortunately, it was closed; more reasons to come back in the future, I guess!
By the time we exited Tōdai-ji, the park had become lively with the deer population roaming around. We purchased Shika Senbei (Deer Crackers) at local vendors, immediately attracting 5 pairs of curious eyes. Feeding the deer was more hectic than I imagined. My friend and I took turns snapping photos of each other, while the deer circled us, nipping at our hands and clothes. As seen online, they will reciprocate your bows, though that might create opportunities for other deer to snatch the Senbei, so stay alert.
By the time we left the park, hunger had caught up with us, and the host family led us to a local breakfast shop where we had a simple breakfast of rice, miso soup, eggs, and pickles. The warmth of the meal after the cool morning made us all a little drowsy, and as soon as we returned to Kyoto, everyone collapsed into bed. I slept so profoundly that when I woke up, the afternoon sun was already high, and memories of the morning felt like yesterday.