After visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine in the morning, we spent the afternoon in Nara. While at Fushimi Inari, we left our stroller at the hotel. We wanted it for all the walking in Nara with our one-year-old, so we went back to our accommodation, The Citadines. After a little rest and lunch in the hotel, we headed back out for a half-day trip to Nara.
We went to the nearby Gojo station and took the Karasuma line to Kintetsu Nara station. The journey took about 50 minutes.
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Nara Park with a toddler
We had already seen deer roaming around, but the ones at Nara Park would come up close as they were used to being fed here. We paid a lady near the entrance and got a bag of crackers to feed the deer. Our crackers were gone quickly, but we spent some time just watching the deer.
Our 1.5-year-old toddler loved running around the park and seeing the deer up close. We were careful to stay close to him as we had seen the signs warning that the deer could get aggressive. The ones around us were all very tame though. There were a couple of school-aged boys teasing some deer and making them chase them.
Revisiting the park with a baby and a 4-year-old
Post updated to include our most recent day trip to Nara with my parents, our baby and our four-year-old. This was part of our 2016 multigenerational Japan trip itinerary.
We came across deer and a stall selling crackers before the main park area and bought two packs. Be careful! Deer will already be surrounding you. A very cool thing about the deer in Japan is that some of them have learnt to bow for food. I favoured the bowing deer, manners win. Our four-year-old preferred the ones without antlers. They are very used to people and are quite friendly, they can get aggressive over food though. When you run out of crackers put your palms up to show the deer you don’t have anymore.
A deer head-butted me, right in my bum as I bent over to get something out of the stroller! Luckily it didn’t hurt. I turned to find a little old Japanese lady laughing at me. It probably looked hilarious!
Kagami-ike Pond
Within Nara Park is a large pond situated in front of Todaiji. The location is a beautiful photo spot with the pond, manicured trees and Todaiji Temple visible behind.
Todaiji Temple
We left the group of deer and went to visit Todaiji Temple, which is located within the Nara Park grounds. Before reaching the main building of Todaiji, we walked up the steps and passed through the large wooden Nandaimon Gate.
Inside Todaiji is one of Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statues or Daibutsu in Japanese. Todaiji’s main hall houses the giant Buddha and up until 1998, it was the largest wooden building in the world.
There are also other statues in the building and a model of the Todaiji Temple complex. In the back part of the building, there is a large wooden post with a square hole at the bottom, going from one side through to the other. The hole is the same size as the big Buddha’s nostril, and it is said that those who can fit through will be granted spiritual enlightenment.
Walking from Nara Station
The attractions of Nara’s central area are within walking distance. From either station to Todaiji temple it is about 1.6km. On our first visit to Nara with a toddler, we arrived at Kintetsu Nara Station and walked along the main road.
This time we arrived at JR Nara Station and walked down Sanjo Dori, a picturesque street with various shops and restaurants. Along the way, I bought a cheap bunch of bananas from a small fruit and veg shop. Following Sanjo Dori will lead you to Sarusawa Pond to the right and Kofukuji to the left. As the street approaches the attractions you will find the left side lined with souvenir shops.
For our Nara day trip, we took both the baby carrier and the stroller. When our four-year-old got tired of walking he went in the stroller.
Kofukuji
Kofukuji is a historic temple located within Nara Park and entrance to the grounds is free. It does cost to enter The National Treasure Museum (600 yen) and The Eastern Golden Hall (300 yen), if entering both you can get a discount of 100 yen. The temple’s main building The Central Golden Hall is undergoing reconstruction work, due to be completed in 2018 and is currently covered up. Kofukuji still has other buildings visible including The Eastern Golden Hall, two Octagonal Halls and a five-story pagoda. The pagoda was first built in 730, rebuilt in 1426 and stands at 50 metres which makes it the second tallest in Japan. We simply viewed the buildings from the outside before continuing on our way.
Sarusawa-ike Pond
Sarusawa-ike Pond is a beautiful scenic spot in Nara. We sat here and ate our convenience store lunch and spotted little turtles on the logs. Walking around the pond, you get a view of Kofukuji’s pagoda. I realised later that the little wooden building at the far end of the pond is an udon noodle restaurant.
Other posts from our Japan trip with a toddler:
12 day Japan itinerary with a 1-year-old
