Nara Park and Todai-ji

Nara was Japan’s capital in the 8th century, and its great temples are listed by UNESCO. Todai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, houses a bronze Buddha about 15 metres tall, first cast in the 8th century.

Around the temples, more than a thousand sika deer wander freely through Nara Park. Considered messengers of the gods, they bow for the special crackers sold by stallholders, to the delight of children. Kasuga Taisha, a shrine hung with thousands of lanterns, is a short walk away.

Nara is under an hour by train from Kyoto or Osaka, making an easy half-day trip. Keep the crackers out of reach until you are ready to hand them over, as the deer can be pushy.