Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Deer Park Photography Guide

Close-up portrait of a deer in Nara Park, Japan

Nara is famous for its friendly deer, and it's one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Kyoto. I'd never been before, so during our week in Kyoto we spent an afternoon and evening there, walking down through Kasuga Taisha, past Todai-ji and through Nara Park to watch the sunset at Ukimido Pavilion.

This Nara travel photography guide shares my favourite Nara deer photos, the route we took, why I'd visit in the afternoon rather than first thing, and tips for photographing the deer. The Nara day trip is part of my Kyoto vlog below, and you can see the rest of the week in my Kyoto travel photography guide.

Nara day trip from Kyoto: how we did it

Nara is easy to reach by train from either Kyoto or Osaka, and it's a little closer to Kyoto. It took us about an hour, and Google Maps or Apple Maps tells you exactly which station, exit and platform to use.

We usually get up at sunrise, but popular spots in Japan are busy early in the morning, so we tried something different and went in the afternoon. From Nara Station, we caught the bus all the way up the hill to Kasuga Taisha and walked back down, so it was downhill the whole way, ending at Nara Park for golden hour.

  • Kasuga Taisha: a shrine at the top of the hill famous for its stone and bronze lanterns
  • Forest walk: a shaded path back down through the forest, with deer everywhere
  • Todai-ji Nandaimon Gate: the huge wooden gate leading to Todai-ji
  • Nara Park: open lawns and deer wandering among the people
  • Ukimido Pavilion: a pavilion on a pond, beautiful at golden hour
  • Nara streets at blue hour: deer strolling through quiet suburban streets

The downside of going late is that some gardens close around 5pm, and by the time we went for dinner, many restaurants had sold out or closed by 8pm, so plan your food around that. The upside was beautiful light, chilled-out deer and far fewer people.

Kasuga Taisha lanterns and deer

Kasuga Taisha is lined with stone lanterns along the approach, and inside, hundreds of bronze lanterns hang from the eaves, each one slightly different. As soon as you step off the bus, you start seeing deer, then more and more of them.

Deer standing among moss-covered stone lanterns at Kasuga Taisha, Nara
Deer beside a stone lantern on the path to Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha. Edited with Hibiscus.

Row of stone lanterns at Kasuga Taisha shrine in Nara
Wall of decorated sake barrels at Kasuga Taisha, Nara

Edited with Hibiscus.

Bronze lanterns hanging at Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara
Rows of bronze lanterns under the eaves at Kasuga Taisha

Edited with Hibiscus.

Photographing the deer in Nara

The deer in Nara aren't afraid of people at all. They wander through the forest, along paths, past shops and right into the crowds. Walking down through the forest in the afternoon was quiet, and the deer were relaxed, which made them much easier to photograph.

You can buy shika senbei (deer crackers) to feed them, but be warned: the moment the deer see them, they get pushy. I won't be buying them again, but it's a very funny experience. Once your hands are empty, the deer lose interest fast.

Young deer standing on a forest path in Nara
Deer resting in the shade of the forest in Nara

Edited with Hibiscus.

Deer walking along a stone path in the Nara forest
Deer looking back over its shoulder on a path in Nara

Edited with Hibiscus.

Deer among tall trees in the Nara forest
Deer standing outside a souvenir shop in Nara

Edited with Hibiscus.

Todai-ji Nandaimon Gate

At the bottom of the forest walk you reach the Nandaimon Gate of Todai-ji. This became one of my favourite places to watch the deer, because you see them in settings you wouldn't expect: wandering through car parks, nonchalant in crowds of people and hanging around in front of shops and restaurants.

Todai-ji Nandaimon Gate in Nara with crowds and trees
Woman walking toward the Todai-ji Nandaimon Gate in Nara

Edited with Hibiscus.

Nara Park at golden hour

By late afternoon the light in Nara Park turned golden. Look for a deer alone in a field with trees behind it, or one up high and backlit. Get low, keep the background simple and wait for them to look your way.

Deer walking across the grass in Nara Park
Deer grazing in golden light in Nara Park

Edited with Hibiscus.

Deer in Nara Park before and after: unedited and edited with the Hibiscus Lightroom presetUneditedEdited with Hibiscus

Unedited (left) and edited with Hibiscus (right).

Portrait of a woman standing between deer in Nara Park

Edited with Hibiscus.

Ukimido Pavilion: the best sunset spot in Nara

Right at golden hour, we made our way to Ukimido Pavilion, a wooden pavilion on Sagi-ike Pond, and it was a dream to photograph. The pavilion's reflection in the still water was perfect, and you can get down low to the water to make the most of it.

Golden sunset through the trees over a pond in Nara

Golden hour in Nara Park. Edited with Hibiscus.

Ukimido Pavilion reflected in Sagi-ike Pond, Nara
Woman standing inside Ukimido Pavilion overlooking the pond

Ukimido Pavilion. Edited with Hibiscus.

Deer on stone steps in golden light in Nara Park

Edited with Hibiscus.

Deer on stone steps in Nara before and after: unedited and edited with the Hibiscus Lightroom presetUneditedEdited with Hibiscus

Unedited (left) and edited with Hibiscus (right).

Deer in the streets of Nara at blue hour

The streets were so beautiful and quiet at blue hour. One of the best moments of the day happened on our walk back to the station, when we came across a small herd of deer casually strolling down the suburban streets.

Deer walking down a quiet street in Nara at blue hour

Lumix S1R II + 50mm f/1.8, edited with Hibiscus.

Deer walking down a residential street in Nara
Small herd of deer crossing a suburban street in Nara

Lumix S1R II + 50mm f/1.8, edited with Hibiscus.

Deer walking past shops on a Nara street in the evening
Herd of deer walking along a narrow street in Nara

Edited with Hibiscus.

Nara was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it if you're visiting Kyoto or Osaka.

Nara photography tips

  • Go in the afternoon. It's quieter, the deer are calmer, and you finish with golden hour at Ukimido Pavilion.
  • Start at the top. Take the bus up to Kasuga Taisha and walk down through the forest to Todai-ji and Nara Park.
  • Bring a 50mm. It's flexible enough for the deer, the lanterns and portraits, with lovely background blur.
  • Watch where you step. With this many deer, the paths aren't always clean.
  • Plan dinner early. Gardens close around 5pm and many restaurants close or sell out by 8pm.

Nara day trip FAQ

How far is Nara from Kyoto?

Nara is about an hour from Kyoto by train, and it's also easy to reach from Osaka, which makes it a popular day trip.

What is the best time to visit Nara for photos?

Late afternoon into golden hour. There are fewer people, the deer are relaxed, and you can finish with sunset at Ukimido Pavilion and blue hour in the streets.

Can you feed the deer in Nara?

Yes. You can buy shika senbei (deer crackers) from vendors around Nara Park, but the deer can get very pushy once they see them.

Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Nara?

Ukimido Pavilion on Sagi-ike Pond in Nara Park, where the pavilion reflects in the water at golden hour.

How do you get to Kasuga Taisha?

Catch a bus from Nara Station up to Kasuga Taisha, then walk back down through the forest to Todai-ji and Nara Park.

Is Nara worth a day trip from Kyoto?

Yes. Seeing the deer roaming freely around Kasuga Taisha, Todai-ji and Nara Park is a unique experience, and it's easy to fit into an afternoon.

What lens should I use to photograph the deer in Nara?

A 50mm prime is a great choice: it's light, versatile and gives a lovely background blur for deer portraits.

All the photos in this post were edited with my Hibiscus Lightroom preset pack. You can browse all my packs in the Lightroom Presets for Portraits collection, and if you're stuck between a few, you can buy any 3 presets and save 10%.

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