We didn’t have a heavy itinerary on Day 1 yesterday. But likely because we all didn’t manage much sleep on the flight to Nagoya, were all completely knocked out as soon as it was lights out at the end of yesterday. We pretty much had to drag ourselves out of bed on Day 2 morning today for our itineraries in Nara and Uji. Both of these two cities are south of Kyoto and in easy reach, but the trains can be also filled with other commuters going about their work and school: as such was when we took the 7AM south-bound train from Kyoto to Nara – our first stop.
There were three places we were visiting in Nara: which we also did in our 2010 trip. The first of this is Nara Deer Park, a must visit and favorite spot for visitors – both local and foreign – who aren’t adverse to being harassed by docile but very hungry deer! The park is a short 10 minute bus ride once you get to Nara Station – or alternatively, you can also do the approximately 25 minute walk to get to the start of the large park. Be warned though: there are parts which are gently sloped upwards, so if early morning walks aren’t your thing, take the bus.
We got to the park at 8:45AM, and well before the throngs of visitors would be visiting: there were already groups of deer patiently waiting at the little shop carts where stacks of biscuits are purchased for ¥200. These shop carts are everywhere in the park, so don’t feel compelled to buy from the first place you visit and feed the deer: if the spot is crowded, just head further in and look for a less crowded spot if you need to.
The deer feeding is an absolutely must do in this park: and those stacks of biscuits go very fast: the deer are very tame, very hungry, and comfortable enough around humans to approach visitors for those biscuits. There are still signs cautioning visitors that as these are still finally wild animals, they might still attack humans.
Deer fed, we continued onwards in the general direction of Todaji Temple. Continued in the next post!