Nara Deer Population at Record High

I have visited Nara a couple of times. There are many things to see and do, including seeing the sacred deer. I posted in March 2024 about the deer I saw on my trip, when there were approximately 1400 deer. The deer are protected as national treasures.

The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation reported that the deer population has now hit a record high of 1,687, with the birth rate rising because deer are being fed food other than the sugar free deer crackers. The group has surveyed the deer numbers every year since 1953. 

The latest survey was conducted by about 40 people over two days. The breakdown was 411 males, 990 females, and 286 fawns. In the year ending in late June, 198 deer died, including 72 fawns, mainly in traffic accidents. The Preservation Foundation asks that visitors drive more slowly in the vast park, saying fawns often dash out as they follow their mothers.

Nara Prison Hotel

I first posted about this prison to hotel project here in 2022. At that time, it was anticipated that the hotel would open in 2024, but due to an earthquake-resistance assessment, it was delayed. The end of June 2026, it opened for business.

The prison was one of five built by the government during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), showcasing modern prison facilities in Japan. It later became a juvenile prison, closing in 2017 because the aging facilities.

Hoshino Resorts, Inc. now runs the property as a luxury hotel, with 48 suites, which were created by combining former cells. The property is turning the prison into a tourist attraction. The site is near Nara Park, known for landmarks such as the Todai-ji temple complex and its free-roaming deer. 

A one night stay starts at 147,000 yen per suite room, which includes visiting the Nara Prison Museum. The hotel aims for an 80 per cent occupancy rate within three years. 

I would like to stay at this hotel, but it is a little out of my price range. Maybe I could just visit the museum.

Update on Nara Prison Remake

I first wrote about this story in July 2022. At that time the luxury hotel was forecast to open in 2024.

The Nara Prison Museum is now scheduled to open April 27th of next year, and the 48 room luxury hotel later in the year. The project is built around the concept of  “An Eternal Question Posed by an Iconic Prison”. The remake project calls for several buildings on the north side of the grounds to be converted into a museum complex featuring exhibition halls, a cafe, and a shop selling original goods. Museum exhibits will include the history and architectural features of the former prison, in addition to displays about prison life and rules.

I want to see the museum. When I lived in the US, I visited Alcatraz once. I wouldn’t want to live in a prison, but I am interested in visiting the prison museum.

Yamato Koriyama Castle

After leaving Nara and the deer, I took the train to Koriyama to visit Yamato Koriyama Castle. The castle grounds are about a 15 minute walk from the JR Koriyama Station. There were only a few other people the day I was there.

Here is the history of the castle from the JCastle website:

After Tsutsui Junkei defeated his long time enemy Matsunaga Hisahide in 1580 he moved to Koriyama strengthening the fortifications that were there and building Koriyama Castle. In 1585 Hideyoshi's brother Hidenaga moved into Koriyama Castle and conducted many improvements making it into a large scale modern castle. He also confiscated many stones from nearby temple gardens and even religious statues for use in the walls. Mashita Nagamori moved into the castle in 1595 but abandoned it when he lost at the Battle of Sekigahara. The castle fell into disrepair for a time until Ieyasu stationed Mizuno Katsushige here in 1615 and commissioned him to reconstruct the castle. Yanagisawa Yoshisato became lord of the castle in 1724. The Yanagisawa continued to rule until the Meiji Restoration when the castle was abandoned.

The visitor toilets are made to look castle-like.

There is a little shrine on the castle grounds.

As you can see from this sign, the castle grounds are rather large.

Looking back over the bridge.

Inside, there was only one room on the first floor open.  The little one room museum had some historical information, all in Japanese.

There was a spring festival at the castle park from February 3rd to March 10th. I was there one March 3rd and the flowers were already beyond their peak. Still, I paid 500 yen to view the little house filled with small trees.  Outside the house was an area selling fruits and vegetables and Japanese sweets. I bought some dango.  I don't know for sure, but I think dango is lucky.

I climbed up to the top and took in the view all around.

This was an interesting place.  I recommend visiting if you are in the area.