Trip to Japan, 2025 - Nara Park

The "kneeling deer" in Japan refer to a fascinating behavior seen among the sacred deer in Nara Park. These deer have become famous for their polite habit of bowing (or kneeling slightly) to visitors, especially those offering “shika senbei”, which are special deer crackers sold in the park. The deer in Nara are considered messengers of the gods in Shinto tradition. They are protected as a national treasure, and roam freely around the city and park.