Nara's Famous Deer Turn Dangerous as Tourists

Footage filmed at Nara Park in September showed a deer suddenly charging at a woman who had approached it, knocking her to the ground before repeatedly headbutting her.

The incident highlights growing safety concerns at one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions, where large numbers of visitors have gathered ahead of the peak autumn foliage season.

Nara Park is home to wild deer that are believed to have inhabited the area for more than 1,300 years and are designated as a national natural monument.

Their population has increased every year for the past five years, reaching approximately 1,687 animals as of July 2026.

According to Nara City Hospital, the number of people transported by ambulance after suffering deer-related injuries has also been rising over the past five years, reaching a record 51 as of November 5.

Foreign tourists accounted for more than 70% of those brought to the hospital, with the growing number of international visitors identified as one factor behind the increase in injuries.

Yasuhiro Nakanishi, vice chairman of the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation, said many foreign visitors mistakenly believe the park is a place where they can freely approach and interact with the animals.

"Some people think this is an area where they can interact with the deer, but that's not quite right. These are wild animals," Nakanishi said.

Pointing to a young male deer, he recalled a serious incident involving a foreign child last year. "This is a young male. Last year, its antler pierced the chest of a child from overseas."

Nakanishi warned that autumn is particularly dangerous because it coincides with the mating season for male deer, when they become more aggressive and sensitive to people approaching them.

"During autumn, the males become more emotional. If people get too close or force themselves toward the deer, the animals may attack," he said.

To reduce the risk of injuries, the foundation has been cutting the antlers of male deer in the park.

Deer antlers begin growing around spring and become large and hard by autumn, making them potentially dangerous weapons if left untrimmed.

Nakanishi explained that the antlers of two deer observed in the park had been removed specifically to prevent accidents.

Medical professionals have also warned that antler injuries can be extremely serious.

Ryusuke Kawaguchi, a doctor at Nara City Hospital, said deer antlers can cause deep penetrating wounds and potentially life-threatening bleeding.

"Deer antlers can cut like knives. If they penetrate a major blood vessel, there is a risk of severe bleeding," Kawaguchi said.

In response to the growing number of injuries, the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation carried out its annual antler-cutting operations earlier than usual in 2026.

Meanwhile, the expanding deer population has created additional problems beyond Nara Park, with increasing reports of animals wandering into nearby residential neighborhoods.

Deer have even entered the Nara Prefectural Government building.

According to a prefectural official, a deer walked into the government offices through an automatic door in late September, prompting authorities to replace the entrance mechanism with a push-button system to prevent further intrusions.

The presence of deer outside the park remains a concern. During a visit to the area near the prefectural government offices on November 12, male deer were observed fighting with each other.

The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation is urging visitors to exercise particular caution during the current mating season, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the animals rather than attempting to approach or touch them.

While Nara's deer remain a major attraction for domestic and international tourists, officials stress that they are wild animals whose behavior can become unpredictable, particularly during autumn.

Source: FNN