Nara City is about 40 mins drive from Uji. And we head straight to Nara Park. The park where there were free-roaming dears and they will bow to you. So we must be there to experience this first hand. Parking is very convenient at the municipal building just at the entrance of the park. I always look for per entry or published maximum charges regardless of time.
Bowing Deer Park
So much was written about the bowing deer. So we shall see how it would pan out. The information signboard detailing the species of deers comes with live specimen right around it!
While we strolled the park to enjoy the beautiful horticulture and landscape. there will always be deers within your reach. They were friendly and non-aggressive at all.
Will they bow? YES..! What you need to do is to bow first right in front of one, and it will bow back. Occasionally you get unsolicited bows too. It an interesting behavior and I was wondering what could have made them do so. Perhaps the most plausible reason is that they were all fed with tourists’ biscuits (200 Yen per pack), after they bow.
Todai-ji Temple
Within the centre of the park stand the magnificent Todai-ji Temple. It is one of the historic monuments of Nara and classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. It also housed the world’s largest bronze Buddha. We walked through the Nandaimon gate (Translated as “southern great gate”) and saw the Temple building. the gate itself is quite majestic.
Nandaimon Gate
A deer Stood-guard at the gate 
Nakamon Gate 
Main Buddha Hall
Beautiful Nara Park
Besides deers, Todai-ij, the park itself is an attraction. We took the time to stroll around the larger areas. Picnic with the deers who will want you to share your snacks with them.
Another temple complex up the hill. We saw the Todai-ji great bell. And view the Todai-ji main Hall form another angle.
Higashimuki Shopping Street
The Nara city centre is about 15-20 mins walk (~1.5 km) from the park. Btw, deers roam these streets too. Not unlike many of such shopping streets in Japanese towns – covered walkways all the way with shops lined on both sides.
As we have walked quite substantially today, we decided to just find food for an early dinner at a local family restaurant.
Home sweet “Home”
Of course, after being recharged, we continued shopping till sunset and bought things back for night snacks. And nothing is better than having good food – kobe beef, sashimi and sake in the comfort of the house with the whole family:
gobassky
I am so grateful for your blog post. Thanks Again. Keep writing. Edithe Iosep Marelda