These will be the most breathtaking images you’ll see today. An array of deer have been captured sitting peacefully under the cherry blossoms that envelop Japan’s Nara Park, and the view is stunning.
Nara Park in Japan is a popular tourist spot due to its abundance of cherry trees which, when in bloom, showers the park in pink blossoms. During the sakura (cherry blossom) season, the park is usually filled with people who are there to marvel at the blooming trees and snap some pictures for the 'gram. But this spring, due to the ongoing global pandemic, the park has been unusually empty. Well, empty of people, at least.
The popular tourist destination normally sees people take part in photoshoots under the dreamy blossoms, however, due to the global pandemic, the park which is a short ride away from Osaka has become quieter than usual.
What is usually a very busy Nara Park has been incredibly quiet lately, with only the local Sika deer left to enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. Japan Guide has reported there to be over one thousand deer in the park, and that the animals are regarded as national treasures and peaceful symbols of the city. Nara Park is home to a large amount of Sika deer, which are free to roam around the park.Now, with the park strangely calm and quiet, the Sika Deer are relaxing all alone amongst the cascading cherry blossoms and it's all so beautiful that it almost doesn't look real.
The Sika deer were once considered sacred, (however they lost this status after World War ll) and after watching this ethereal scene, it's not hard to imagine them as divine creatures. Though no longer sacred, the Sika deer are considered natural treasures and are appropriately cherished and protected. There are approximately 1000 Sika deer living in Nara Park, and they often receive treats from tourists, who can purchase special "deer crackers" in the park. The deers are used to people and are very sweet. They even have an incredibly graceful way to ask for treats; they bow.
These gorgeous animals also love to be fed, and if you bow at them, some will even bow back as an indication they want you to feed them! One visitor wrote online, "when we got the biscuits a lot of deer did run up to us, so just be aware of that. But they just want your biscuits!" We're sure the deer are enjoying a well-deserved break from the constant flow of tourists and what better way to do so than to be surrounded by the awe-inspiring views of Nara Park. You can watvh video below: