1. Deer Cracker Throwing Contest (鹿せんべい飛ばし大会)
Every year around the spring equinox in late March, a Deer Cracker Throwing Contest is held at the base of Mount Wakakusa. Participants throw oversized crackers, three times larger than regular deer crackers, as far as they can. The person who throws the farthest wins a pair of deer antlers as a prize.
As soon as a cracker is thrown, a crowd of deer eagerly races toward it, but more often than not, the crackers are snatched up by quick and opportunistic crows!
2. Deer Gathering Ceremony (鹿寄せ大会)
Held during both summer and winter, the Deer Gathering Ceremony is an awe-inspiring sight. The event typically begins around 9 or 10 a.m. in the “Tobihino” field near Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Staff from the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation use a traditional horn to play Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Pastoral. Upon hearing the music, deer from all over the park come running to the field. Staff then feed them acorns, after which the deer often turn to the surrounding spectators, hoping for additional crackers.
• Personal Experience: You can request a private deer gathering for 20,000 yen by applying through the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation.
• Schedule Updates: Check the foundation’s official website for exact dates and times.
3. Deer Antler Cutting Ceremony (鹿の角切り)
Dating back to the Edo period, the Deer Antler Cutting Ceremony is held annually to prevent injuries caused by antlers, especially during the mating season when male deer become aggressive. Male deer naturally shed their antlers in February or March, and by October, they have fully regrown into hardened antlers, making autumn the perfect time for the ceremony.
The antlers lack nerves, so the deer feel no pain during the process. However, as antlers are symbols of male dominance, the deer resist vigorously, adding to the excitement of the event.
The ceremony takes place in the Deer Shelter (Rokuen) within the Kasuga Taisha Shrine grounds. Skilled handlers, known as seko, corral the deer into the cutting area, where Shinto priests oversee the ritual. This lively event is one of Nara’s most iconic autumn traditions.
Nara’s deer-themed activities not only highlight the bond between people and deer but also offer fascinating glimpses into the region’s history and traditions. Which of these events would you like to experience?