Nara: Japan may be sick of mass tourism. But this ancient city’s deer love it

CNN — While Japan’s overtourism issues may be causing headaches for local residents, there’s one group that seems to be benefiting from the influx of people – deer. Despite Nara being home to attractions like Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures, the majority of tourists come to meet the deer, who are known for bowing politely when given a cracker. Carl Court/Getty Images Nobuyuki Yamazaki of the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation told CNN that “a constant increase in the number of deer crackers eaten has resulted in more active reproduction of the deer. “In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in accidents with people being pushed over or bitten by a deer.” A study from the Nara Women’s University found that fewer deer were bowing during the pandemic, when the country was closed to international tourists. However, the city gradually became a sightseeing spot and the deer learned to bow to people to get Shika Senbei rice crackers,” said professor Yoichi Yusa, who headed the study.