My stomach growled as the train lurched out of the station. I was still exhausted from my previous week spent in Tokyo. 

That’s what I like so much about the Japanese train system. It’s easy to grab my purse, walk out the door and journey into the unknown, which Nara was to me. I knew about a few temples in the area and the famous Nara Park, but I had no concrete plans. 

I was worried about traveling alone since my Japanese skills weren’t great, but my troubles dissipated as soon as I arrived. I hadn’t seen that many Americans in one place since I’d come to Japan. I doubt there were even that many at my school. 

Nara is a tourist hotspot, so while it was incredibly busy, I had no issue communicating. The deer were harder to read, though. 

Nara Park is famous for the large population of deer that roam the area. Sweet-smelling crackers are sold outside of the park to feed the deer. 

A person needs to be standing directly in front of the deer, almost making eye contact, to get them to acknowledge the cracker. Even then, it’s 50/50 whether the deer will take the cracker and they don’t eat with much enthusiasm. 

They are rather docile and easy to pet, so I’m not saying I didn’t have a great time there. It’s funny to watch the deer hop fences and walk into the street so nonchalantly. 

The deer at Nara Park are a far cry from those I’ve seen up in the northern Minnesota woods. Those are skittish and impossible to approach. 

I’ve only ever encountered deer that flee as soon as I look at them. It is strange to sit next to one as it basks in the sun and relaxes in the mud. 

It is safe to say these deer don’t have survival instincts because they don’t need them. Their food is taken care of, and they have no predators, so the only thing that worries them is seeing crackers being given to other deer. 

I spent quite a while there before deciding to move on. I made a rash decision to visit every location on my list, which was at least four kilometers of walking. It was fun, but my legs were burning later that night. 

The first place I visited was the Sagi Pond. It’s a small and peaceful pond with clouded waters that hold a surprising secret. 

I was excited to discover how many turtles could be seen in the pond, and those were just the ones on the water’s surface. It’s a quiet spot near the park, so I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Nara who wants to leave the crowds. 

My next visit was to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, but there is one thing I need to note before I continue. 

The deer do not stay in Nara Park. Nara deer are like cats, and they will go wherever they please. 

There was not a single location in Nara I visited that I didn’t see deer. Thus, whenever I decided to walk off the main path, I was knowingly walking through deer poop. 

My next stop, the Kaisuga Taisha Shrine, was a bright red building offset by the lush forest surrounding it. I found this location to be incredibly photogenic but not worth the price of admission. 

If I were to visit again, I would take photos in front of the shrine and then take a nature walk on the nearby paths. 

The hiking paths next to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine have no tourists. I saw a total of two people while there and it’s so quiet I could hear a deer bleating. 

Honestly, I could hear a deer bleat from anywhere in the park. They sound like doors creaking shut that haven’t had their hinges oiled ever. 

The last place I visited and, I’m sorry to say, accidentally cut the line at, was the Todaiji Temple. This temple is famous for its giant Buddha statue. This place was way overcrowded but worth a visit. 

The last thing I did was visit a famous mochi shop called Nakatanidou. The mochi was covered in peanut powder with a red bean filling. The mochi was so good that I got back in line to have another one. 

Once I found and appreciated its hidden gems, Nara was worth a visit despite the crowds.

Curtin can be reached at [email protected].