Nara Deer

We were in the area and so we had to stop by and say hi to our friends in Nara.

It was so much fun!  I love this place.

The deer seemed a little more aggressive this year, but it could also just be that we went in the morning and there was barely anyone else there.  One literally ripped the bag out of my hand.  I had a firm grip on both handles and never let go.  It completely tore the bag on both sides and almost got away with all our deer food.  We had to chase it down and take it back.

Taking a family picture was hilarious.  It was hard to keep the deer away long enough for the stranger to take the shot.  Poor Leon was getting nibbled during it, and that deer in the front kept coming for us.  We had to try to push him away.

Beatrix was happy to feed them until they started getting her.  So I just put her in my back in the carrier and that was perfect.  I could lean toward the deer when she wanted to feed them, but otherwise they left her alone.  She was funny because she kept breaking her pieces up so small she was trying to had out crumbs.

This fawn was getting way more food and attention than it wanted.

  

We had a blast.

Nara Temples

There were a few nice temples at the Deer park in Nara.  After feeding the deer for a while we walked the entire park.  

There were a ton of these lanterns.  I think they were a big deal at this shrine.

For diner we stopped at 7/11 and I had to take a picture of the heart strawberry cake Bob bought.  It is such a Japanese thing to find at a store.

Next stop, Kyoto.

Nara Deer

Visiting the deer in Nara was one of our favorite things of the entire trip.  It was so cool to see deer that were not afraid of people.  I don't think I've ever been up close to a deer before this trip and I have not ever fed them before.

We went to the beautiful park where hundreds of deer were just walking around.  There was this one fenced off area that had many deer in it but there was tons of deer on the path and road as well.  I think the fenced off area was more to keep people out because it definitely wasn't keeping the deer in.

We bought special deer crackers to feed the deer.  The kids were nervous and excited at first.  

All you have to do is act like you have food and you will pretty much be swarmed by the deer.  

Beatrix really liked them...

Until on started encroaching on her stroller space.

The deer knew the people had food and some were a little aggressive to get it.  I read online that the deer are more aggressive this year because of less tourists, I really have nothing to compare it to so I don't know.  There were plenty of people there feeding the deer and I never once felt like a deer was going to hurt even Beatrix.  Many of the deer would even bow their heads for food.  It was amazing.

One deer was biting my jacket to get me to give more food.  I don't think the deer had teeth.  

I read that the Nara deer are sacred and treated as helpers to the Gods.  

It was so fun.

We needed to get a family picture around a deer that was just chilling.

Or two.

He didn't seem to mind us crowding around him for like five minutes trying to take a picture.

If we ever are in the area again I would like to go visit the deer another time.  Everyone in our family really enjoyed it.

Japanese Garden in Nara

One thing I've noticed while having Japanese neighbors is that they take good care of their yards and plants.  Several of my elderly neighbors go outside daily to what I would call a small yard and meticulously take care of it.  They sweep the few leaves that fell in the gutter and carefully take care of their plants.  Our back neighbor is outside everyday smoothing her rocks, wiping down the outside of her windows and the top of her AC units, I even see her casually place toys or other small items back into our yard that made their way through our small fence.  It shows a great attention for detail and love of nature and appearances.  I wonder what they think about our messy yard.

Our first stop in Nara was at a beautiful garden.  I enjoyed taking pictures of the fall colors.

The kids were pretty over it after just a couple minutes, you can tell by their forces smiles.  Some of them were doubly upset for this picture because we just stopped for a bathroom break and a few people had to use squatty potties.