A Magical Day in Nara Nature Park, Japan

During November of 2023, we had the chance to visit Nara Nature Park, Japan for the first time. Our original plan was to play with the deer that loiter around the park, and we were quite excited about it.

We arrived from Osaka around 11:00 am, a journey that took about 50 minutes from our hotel using the Kintetsu-Nara Line. As soon as we arrived at the park, we headed directly to where the deer are.

Feeding the Deer

View of multiple deer laying and standing in Nara Park, Japan

Our first activity was trying to feed the deer with deer sembe (rice crackers). Many of the deer, however, were not hungry and seemed overfed. Many just sniffed the biscuit and walked away. It was a funny and slightly disappointing start, but we remained hopeful.

Lunch at Monsieur PePe

Table with food breakfast items in Nara Park, Japan

After a while, we started feeling hungry ourselves. Not knowing what to eat yet, we did a quick search for nearby restaurants and found a cute cafe called Monsieur PePe, known for its tasty-looking galettes. The area seemed quite busy, so we decided to use Call Butler to make a reservation in advance. The Call Butler team quickly called the restaurant and confirmed our reservation, allowing us to enter immediately without waiting in line.

The interior of Monsieur PePe was very charming, and the food was delicious.

Visiting Todaiji Temple

Beautiful front view of Todaiji Temple with multiple people walking

After refilling our energy at lunch, we headed to Todaiji Temple, a historic temple that was established in 728 AD.

Todaiji Temple is a marvel of ancient architecture. The large wooden structure is adorned with intricate ornamental details, making it one of the most impressive temples we've ever seen. The temple houses the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), which is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world and home to a giant bronze statue of Buddha, known as the Daibutsu. This statue stands at approximately 15 meters tall and is a breathtaking sight to behold. The serene atmosphere and the sheer scale of the temple complex make the Nara Nature Park in Japan a must-visit destination.

Traditional and cultural Buddha Statue in Todaiji Temple

Magical Musical Moments

Lady playing colorful piano in Todaiji Temple

After visiting the temple, we noticed an open piano with many people lined up to play. The experience was surreal, and the music added a magical touch to the day. Moments like these make the day truly special.

Wrapping Up Our Day

We then spent a little more time walking and playing with the deer before heading back to Osaka. It was a wonderful day, filled with unique experiences and memorable moments.

Two deer resting around a tree infront of Todaiji Temple

Pro Tip for Feeding Deer

Later in the day, we realized that if a deer licks a sembe but doesn't eat it, and you try to feed the same one to a different deer, they will turn away. Perhaps they can smell the other deer. To increase the chance of a deer eating your sembe, use a fresh one.

Seamless Experience with Call Butler

If you need someone to make a restaurant reservation for you to make your experience seamless and hassle-free, you can use Call Butler. They helped us make the most of our day in Nara, and they can do the same for you.