Baffling Summer Phenomenon Has Over 600 Wild Deer Gathering Daily in a Japanese Park

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 🔻#Explore🔻#Travel🔻#Nature🔻 (@jack.osaka) on Jun 28, 2019 at 5:55am PDT

A visit to the city of Nara in Japan’s Nara Prefecture will have you seeing more wild deer than you ever imagined. The friendly free-roaming creatures are all over Nara Park! There are nearly 1,400 of them—making it a popular destination for travelers who want to feel like they're in a fairy tale. There are plenty of biscuits for sale to offer to the deer as a snack, and the curious creatures aren't shy about approaching you for a tasty treat.

The summer marks a phenomenon in Nara Park. The deer, who will always follow you around for a wafer, momentarily retreat once the sun begins to set. Called shikadamari, it translates to “deer gathering spot.” For an hour, roughly 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, nearly half the deer population sits together in the corner of the park near the Nara National Museum. Once this period of relaxation is over, they go their separate ways to other areas of the park.

It's unknown why the deer gather at sunset during the summer. Their meeting spot is near a large air vent in the ground, so perhaps they are enjoying the cool spot. Even though the reasons for shikadamari are unclear, one thing's for sure: if you find yourself close to Nara Park, you’ve got to see the deer! Scroll down to see what it's like.

Nara Park, also known as Nara Deer Park, is home to nearly 1,400 wild deer.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by NARA Visitor Center & Inn (@nara_visitor_center) on Aug 21, 2019 at 6:14pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ayana (@nanashi_nara) on Aug 1, 2019 at 8:30pm PDT

Most of the time, these friendly creatures are looking for a tasty snack.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TIMEOUT SOCIETY (@timeoutsociety) on Aug 14, 2019 at 5:39am PDT

But in the summer, for roughly an hour in the evening, half of the deer population gathers at a corner of the park and relaxes.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IMROSEL (@w_lxnbr) on Aug 22, 2019 at 6:54am PDT

It's called shikadamari, and no one can explain why it happens—but it is an amazing sight.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nara Venture (@nara_venture) on Aug 21, 2019 at 12:06am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Riccardo Benotto (@riccardobenotto) on Aug 18, 2019 at 11:29pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dj Spin That Shit (@davidspin) on Aug 22, 2019 at 12:16am PDT

h/t: [SoraNews24]

Related Articles:

You Can Now Find Pokémon on Manhole Covers All Across Japan

Meet Hachi the Adorable Dog Who Loves Frolicking in Japan’s Colorful Flower Fields

Photographer Documents Wild Deer Freely Roaming the City Streets of Nara, Japan