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Japan: Deer Casually Cross Nara Marathon Course, Delighting Spectators

At the Nara Marathon held on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, unique scenes rarely seen at any other marathon around the world were captured. As thousands of runners sped through the historic streets of the ancient capital, they were quietly watched by deer that live in Nara Park. Some deer casually wandered onto the course as runners passed by, creating heartwarming moments for spectators.

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Newborn deer at Nara Park

The year's first newborn deer is unveiled to the media at Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on May 5, 2023.

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Newborn deer at Nara Park

The year's first newborn deer is unveiled to the media at Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on May 5, 2023.

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Deer receive seasonal antler trimming

Men trim a deer's antlers at Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on Oct. 7, 2023. The seasonal practice is carried out to prevent deer from injuring people, as they can get more aggressive between autumn and winter.

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Baby deer in Nara park

Fawns protected at a shelter following birth are released with their mothers into Nara Park in the western Japan city of Nara on July 19, 2023.

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Baby deer in Nara park

Fawns protected at a shelter following birth are released with their mothers into Nara Park in the western Japan city of Nara on July 19, 2023.

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Newborn deer at Nara Park

The year's first newborn deer is unveiled to the media at Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on May 5, 2023.

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Newborn deer at Nara Park

The year's first newborn deer is unveiled to the media at Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on May 5, 2023.

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Antler-cutting ritual starts in Nara Park

NARA, Japan - An annual deer antler-cutting ritual starts in Nara Park in the ancient capital city of Nara, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2014.

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Urban Animal Album

OSAKA, Japan - Two stags butt heads in Nara Park in the city of Nara on Oct. 28, 2013. Around 1,000 deer live in and around the park.

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First fawn of year born in western Japan park

NARA, Japan - The first fawn of the year is photographed at the Rokuen deer shelter in Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on May 11, 2014.

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Prince Hisahito at Nara Park

NARA, Japan - Prince Hisahito strokes a deer at Nara Park in Nara City on Nov. 8, 2012. The 6-year-old prince visited the park with his parents Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Prince Hisahito at Nara Park

NARA, Japan - Prince Hisahito strokes a deer at Nara Park in Nara City on Nov. 8, 2012. The 6-year-old prince visited the park with his parents Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Prince Hisahito at Nara Park

NARA, Japan - Prince Hisahito, 6, gives a "shika-senbei" rice cracker to deer at Nara Park in Nara City on Nov. 8, 2012, watched by his father Prince Akishino (to the right). (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Prince Hisahito at Nara Park

NARA, Japan - Prince Hisahito, 6, feeds deer at Nara Park in Nara City on Nov. 8, 2012, watched by his parents Prince Akishino (2nd from R) and Princess Kiko (R). (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Baby deer in Nara Park

NARA, Japan - A baby deer is released at Nara Park in western Japan on May 14, 2012. The 58-centimeter-tall, 3.9-kilogram male baby deer, discovered in the park in the morning and unveiled to the press the same day, is the first baby deer born so far in 2012 at the park.

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Baby deer in Nara Park

NARA, Japan - A baby deer prances in Nara Park in western Japan on May 14, 2012. The 58-centimeter-tall, 3.9-kilogram male baby deer, discovered in the park in the morning and unveiled to the press the same day, is the first baby deer born so far in 2012 at the park.

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Baby deer in Nara Park

NARA, Japan - A female baby deer is unveiled to the press at Nara Park in western Japan on May 12, 2011. The 50-centimeter-tall, 3.1-kilogram baby deer, discovered in the park earlier in the day, is the first baby deer born so far this year at the park known for some 1,200 wild deer.

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Ancient tradition of antler trimming lives on at Nara deer park

NARA, Japan - Helped by deer chasers in happi coats and watched by a huge crowd, a Shinto priest saws off the antlers of a deer at the deer park in Nara on Oct. 6, an ancient tradition dating back to around 1671. The practice is intended to prevent young, rampaging deer from hurting people or fellow deer in the park. The antler-trimming ceremony will also be held Oct. 7 and 8, from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults and 300 yen for children.

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Nara Park nettles grow poison thorns as defense against deer?

NARA, Japan - Researchers at Nara Women's University believe that the wild nettles in Nara Park (bottom photo) have grown poison-tipped thorns probably as a defense mechanism against nettle-eating deer (top photo) in the park. According to a study conducted by a research group headed by Hiroaki Sato, a Nara Women's University associate professor who specializes in insect biology, nettles in Nara Park have 50 times more thorns that nettles found in southern Nara Prefecture and elsewhere. The researchers believe that, as a survival mechanism, Nara Park nettles developed more poison-tipped thorns after deer were brought from Ibaraki Prefecture to Nara Park about 1,200 years ago.

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Creative enterprise in Nara, Japan promotes cultural legacy

STORY: Creative enterprise in Nara, Japan promotes cultural legacy DATELINE: June 21, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:25 LOCATION: NARA, Japan CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of views in Nara 2. STANDUP (Chinese): YANG TING, Xinhua correspondent 3. various of the workshop 4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese): TOKUDA TOMOKO, Designer and painter of Skater 5. various of views in Japan STORYLINE: Nara, Japan STANDUP (Chinese): YANG TING, Xinhua correspondent "In order to inherit world heritages and make them known to a wider audience, Nara (in Japan) is also working to develop its cultural and creative industry. This company behind me is one engaged in the industry." Tokuda Tomoko, a 54-year-old designer and painter, is a native of Nara. For many years, she has been working for a local enterprise Skater, where traditional pottery ware is made, featuring patterns of Nara deer and world heritage sites. SOUNDBITE (Japanese): TOKUDA TOMOKO, Designer and painter of Skater "This pottery ware is called Akahadayaki in Nara. It's ma

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Fawns at Nara Park

Photo shows fawns (front) at the Rokuen deer protection facility at Nara Park in the western Japan prefecture of Nara on June 1, 2022. Viewing of fawns at the facility became open to the public the same day.

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Fawns at Nara Park

Photo shows a fawn at the Rokuen deer protection facility at Nara Park in the western Japan prefecture of Nara on June 1, 2022. Viewing of fawns at the facility became open to the public the same day.

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Fawns at Nara Park

Photo shows fawns at the Rokuen deer protection facility at Nara Park in the western Japan prefecture of Nara on June 1, 2022. Viewing of fawns at the facility became open to the public the same day.

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Baby deer at Nara Park

A baby deer is seen at Nara Park in Nara, western Japan, on May 8, 2022.

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Deer at Nara Park

Deer eat acorns at Nara Park in the western Japan city of Nara on Dec. 1, 2021, after being beckoned by a horn player.

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Deer at Nara Park

A horn is played at Nara Park in the western Japan city of Nara on Dec. 1, 2021, to attract deer.

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Nara Park nettles grow poison thorns as defense against deer?

NARA, Japan - Researchers at Nara Women's University believe that the wild nettles in Nara Park (bottom photo) have grown poison-tipped thorns probably as a defense mechanism against nettle-eating deer (top photo) in the park. According to a study conducted by a research group headed by Hiroaki Sato, a Nara Women's University associate professor who specializes in insect biology, nettles in Nara Park have 50 times more thorns that nettles found in southern Nara Prefecture and elsewhere. The researchers believe that, as a survival mechanism, Nara Park nettles developed more poison-tipped thorns after deer were brought from Ibaraki Prefecture to Nara Park about 1,200 years ago. (Kyodo)

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Year's 1st newly born baby deer at Nara Park

The year's first deer born at Nara Park, a popular tourist spot in the western Japanese city of Nara, is unveiled to the press on May 7, 2016. The male baby deer is 60 centimeters tall and weighs 3.5 kilogram. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Year's 1st newly born baby deer at Nara Park

The year's first deer born at Nara Park, a popular tourist spot in the western Japanese city of Nara, is unveiled to the press on May 7, 2016. The male baby deer is 60 centimeters tall and weighs 3.5 kilogram. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Year's 1st newly born baby deer at Nara Park

The year's first deer born at Nara Park, a popular tourist spot in the city of Nara, walks inside the Rokuen deer enclosure on May 10, 1015. The baby deer will be released from the enclosure into the park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, in mid-July. Pregnant deer are sheltered in Rokuen because female deer become very aggressive in protecting their babies. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Temple boardinghouse provides respite to seriously ill, families

Severely disabled 26-year-old Misato Komiyama from Maibara in Shiga Prefecture and her parents feed rice crackers to deer at western Japan's Nara Park on June 3, 2017. The three stayed overnight at a nearby boardinghouse built on the premises of a World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple in Japan's old capital Nara. The facility was founded in 2010 to give seriously ill people and their families a much-needed break. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Deer antler cutting event starts in Nara

Nara Prefecture's seasonal deer antler cutting event starts at the "Rokuen" deer enclosure in Nara Park, western Japan, on Oct. 10, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Man arrested over killing of pregnant wild dear in Nara

NARA, Japan - Ginjiro Inagaki, who was arrested April 13, 2010, on suspicion of injuring one of Nara Park's wild deer, which later died, arrives at the Nara police station in Nara Prefecture the same day. Inagaki, a restaurateur from Tsu, Mie Prefecture, allegedly shot the pregnant deer with a bowgun in March. The deer in the park are designated as national natural treasures.(Kyodo)

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Ancient tradition of antler trimming lives on at Nara deer park

NARA, Japan - Helped by deer chasers in happi coats and watched by a huge crowd, a Shinto priest saws off the antlers of a deer at the deer park in Nara on Oct. 6, an ancient tradition dating back to around 1671. The practice is intended to prevent young, rampaging deer from hurting people or fellow deer in the park. The antler-trimming ceremony will also be held Oct. 7 and 8, from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. (Kyodo)

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Deer on the approach to Kasuga Shrine

Although the title of the photo says 'Deer at Nara Park', this photo was actually taken at the shrine approach of Kasuga Taisha capturing seven deer. A male deer in the centre and female deer surround it. Despite the fact that there are not specific objects to pinpoint the exact location, since there are no stone lanterns and the way the shoulders of the road looks like, it is assumed to have been taken about 550m east of Ichino-torii Gate when facing east.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:R. Stillfried, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number77‐9‐0]

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Deer at shrine grounds

Deer in Nara protected as the messengers of Gods do not fear humans and make a crossing in front of them with an air of perfect composure.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number46‐134‐0]

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Deer in Nara park

Deer walk around in groups on the grass in the park even today as in the photo.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number46‐130‐0]

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Deer in Nara park

Even the Fujiwaras at the height of their power descended from their horses when they met deer on the road to show respect to deer who were thought to be messengers of the Gods.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number46‐129‐0]

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Nara Park

Nara park is an area in the east of Nara city, with an area of 4 km to the east and west and 2 km to the north and south. Many tourist spots are in the park such as Todaiji, Kofukuji, Kasuga Taisha etc. The deer in the park are a symbol of Nara.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number46‐128‐0]

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Deer on the approach to Kasuga Shrine

Deer walking around Nara park freely are not afraid of people, and they come towards tourists to ask for food.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number46‐127‐0]

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Deer on the approach to Kasuga Shrine

Deer which were protected and revered as Gods from ancient days in Nara park now count more than 1200. The horn cutting of deer is a seasonal tiding from Nara in autumn.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number46‐122‐0]

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Deer on the approach to Kasuga Shrine

From the legend that Takemikazuchinomikoto, one of the Gods worshipped at Kasuga Taisha, came to Nara on a deer from Kashima, deer have been protected as the messengers of the Gods from the ancient days.==Date:unknown, Place:Nara, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number42‐36‐0]

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Deer in Nara

Deer are pictured near the Nara National Museum in the western Japan city on June 12, 2021.

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Deer in Nara

A herd of deer gather at a lawn in front of the Nara National Museum in the western Japan city on June 12, 2021.

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Baby deer in Nara Park

NARA, Japan - A female baby deer is unveiled to the press at Nara Park in western Japan on May 12, 2011. The 50-centimeter-tall, 3.1-kilogram baby deer, discovered in the park earlier in the day, is the first baby deer born so far this year at the park known for some 1,200 wild deer. (Kyodo)

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Antler-cutting ritual starts in Nara Park

NARA, Japan - An annual deer antler-cutting ritual starts in Nara Park in the ancient capital city of Nara, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2014. (Kyodo)

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Deer in Nara

Photo shows fawns at the Rokuen deer protection facility at Nara Park in the western Japan prefecture of Nara on June 1, 2021. Viewing of fawns at the facility became open to the public the same day.

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Deer in Nara

Photo shows a fawn at the Rokuen deer protection facility at Nara Park in the western Japan prefecture of Nara on June 1, 2021. Viewing of fawns at the facility became open to the public the same day.

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Baby deer in Nara, western Japan

A fawn, the first born this year at Nara Park in Nara, is shown to the media on May 10, 2021. According to a local conservation foundation, about 200 deer are born every year at the park, a popular western Japan tourist destination, with fawning season running from late May to mid-June.