Visitors can walk along the sacred approach lined with stone lanterns and feel the peaceful atmosphere of the shrine. You can make an offering at the main hall, draw an omikuji (fortune slip), or write your wish on a wooden ema plaque. Buying a lucky charm (omamori) is also a popular experience. Deer, believed to be messengers of the gods, often appear nearby. It’s a place where you can truly sense Japan’s harmony between nature and spirituality.

Visitors can walk through the great South Gate (Nandaimon) guarded by two enormous wooden statues, and then enter the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. You can see the 15-meter-tall bronze Great Buddha up close, offer a prayer, and even try passing through the famous hole in a pillar said to bring good luck. Outside the hall, friendly deer roam freely around Nara Park. It’s a powerful place where you can feel the deep history and spirituality of ancient Japan.

At Nara Park, you can meet over a thousand friendly deer that freely roam around the vast park. You can buy special shika senbei (deer crackers) and feed them—some deer even bow politely before receiving food! The park is also surrounded by historic sites like Tōdai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, making it a perfect spot to relax between visits. It’s a fun and peaceful place where you can enjoy nature and connect with Japan’s sacred animals.