What Animal Is Specifically Sacred In Nara, Japan?

Japan, Travel

October 13, 2017 January 25, 2022 ii Minutes

There'due south something odd most the Japanese city of Nara.

There'southward a certain magic in the air, for between the ancient temples, storefronts, and chaos of urban gild, deer roam freely, unphased by the humans living among them.

Now the deer that I've come to know won't allow humans become nigh them, so what is going on here?

Over 1,300 years agone legend has it that a god appeared on the mount overlooking the urban center riding a white deer. From this moment on, the deer were considered sacred and divine, believed to be messengers of the Shinto gods that inhabit the metropolis'southward shrines and surrounding mountains.

Harming the deer was deemed a majuscule offense and up to present 24-hour interval they are still protected animals.

So the result of not hunting deer for 1,300 years? The deer have absolutely no fearfulness of humans. They can be seen casually strolling in the metropolis, the parks, and the surrounding mountains. Of course, the local economy has jumped on the opportunity to sell deer snacks that I am sure go along the level of deer in the metropolis artificially loftier, merely fifty-fifty the deer that I saw while hiking in the mountains were equally every bit friendly.

The deer truly requite this city a unique, magical feeling, as I am not sure yous can experience something quite like it anywhere else in the world.

It'due south beautiful to come across the humans and deer coexisting and goes to evidence the relationship that man can take with animals when they are treated as equals.

So, on my last day in Nippon, I went to Nara to experience the enchanting deer for myself.