DEER FEEDING
- José Carlos Gómez Delgado
- Mar 4, 2016
- 1 min read
According to the count made in 2012, a total of 1095 deer live in Nara Park . Due to the extension of the park and the adjacent mountains deer have more than enough space to live pleasurably. According to Shinto mythology deer are connected to the Takemikazuchi no Mikoto god, and live in Nara since 750. The deer are everywhere every day, being the largest groups in the tourist areas where seek for cookies ( shika senbei) offered by tourists.
Deer call, or Shikayose, takes place from early February to mid-March. The Nara's visitors have the opportunity to witness the greatest concentration of deer that can be seen in one place. Deer come to Tobihino, near Kasuga Shrine, hearing the sound of a horn, to be fed by caregivers. This is done because due to the cold winter deer have more difficulty finding suitable grass to eat.
Viewers of this event take the opportunity to pet the deer and take pictures, including group photos with deer and man with the horn.
The event takes place every day except Monday, at 10 am and takes about half an hour.
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