Every day in Nara, Japan, thousands of Sika deer emerge from the forest and stroll through the city in the early morning light. They poke their heads into public restrooms, and settle onto their haunches in teahouses that have not yet opened. Later in the day the Sika deer (Cervus nippon) will share the streets and greenswards with remarkably tolerant humans. Rather than round up or scare off these entitled visitors, the people will feed them. The teahouse owners will even sweep up their droppings.
By midday, the tourists are feeding them from vending machines. Accustomed to receiving a bow from those who offer them food, many of the Nara deer now duck their heads upon getting a handout. In other words, they bow back.
Japan is so much more than Tokyo and ski fields. Talk to us about including Nara on your itinerary.