📍 Nara, Japan 🇯🇵

How is it possible for the world's most timid animals to get along so well with humans?

On our first day trip from Osaka, we went to Nara. We took advantage of the JR passes and arrived in the city in just 40 minutes. As we stepped out of the transportation, we were greeted by unusual residents. Deer and fawns have been the symbols of Nara for centuries. Legend has it that one of the gods and protectors of the city arrived riding a white deer, and since then, these animals have been revered and cherished, even considered divine messengers by some.

I found information stating that there are over 1,000 of them, and it's incredible how freely they roam and fearlessly interact with humans. They are mostly concentrated around Nara Park, which is also home to many beautiful and significant Nara temples.

In the park, you can buy special cookies to feed the deer, but it's prohibited to give them anything else. Despite their gentle nature, these animals can sometimes become a bit mischievous. When you start feeding them, they may nibble on various parts of your body, especially the backside, so it's advisable to wear loose-fitting clothes, just in case.

The temples we visited were Todai-ji (Great Eastern Temple in English) and Kofuku-ji. Todai-ji is the largest Buddhist temple in Japan and the largest wooden building in the world. Through my travels in Asia, I have visited numerous Buddhist temples, but this one stands out due to the material it's made of. Japan has many wooden temples, but you don't expect them to be this grand. Inside Todai-ji, you'll find the largest bronze statue of Buddha.

Kofuku-ji is also made of wood and is distinctive for its narrow structure with nine stories. Keep in mind that both temples are nearly 1,500 years old...

If you're planning a trip to Japan, make sure to include Nara, even if it's just for 3-4 hours. And don't forget to visit the Nakatanidou store in the city center, where they make what many consider the best mochi in Japan right on the spot (arrive after 12 pm for the freshest ones but before 5 pm, as they close at 7 pm, and when we arrived half an hour before closing, everything was already sold out).

And if you'd like to spend time with these wonderful animals, you don't have to go too far. There's something similar in Slovenia (at the Jelenov Greben location) 🦌🌳🍃

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