There is someone who is thriving amidst Japan’s overtourism problem: the Nara deer. Credit: Canva
JapanOnce synonymous with serene temples, incredible infrastructure and friendly locals, Nara is now characterized by overcrowded temples, overstretched infrastructure and irritated locals, courtesy of the country’s tourism boom. However, amidst this growing discontent, an unexpected beneficiary has emerged: the Nara deer.
Nara, an ancient city that boasts a collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, has long been a popular tourist destination. And according to a CNN report, while human visitors might be reaching saturation point, the city’s iconic deer population appears to be thriving. These gentle creatures, revered as divine messengers, have become synonymous with Nara and are a big draw for tourists.
The deer, it seems, have adapted very well to the influx of visitors. Known for their docile nature, they have learned to associate humans with a tasty treat: Shika Senbei, a rice cracker designed specifically for deer consumption. As tourists are eager to interact with these adorable animals, the deer have a constant supply of their favorite snack.
Nobuyuki Yamazaki of the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation told CNN that “the steady increase in the amount of deer cookies eaten has resulted in more active reproduction of the deer. There are also more tourists visiting the park and the deer are able to get the cookies more easily.”
Professor Yoichi Yusa, who conducted a study on the deer, published in Science Japan, suggests that the animals’ bowing behaviour, often interpreted as a sign of politeness, might actually have been a stress response to the overwhelming presence of humans. “However, the city gradually became a tourist spot and the deer learned to bow to people in order to obtain Shika Senbei rice crackers. Therefore, they began to bow to ask for the crackers,” the website reads. According to Yusa, these bowing behaviours have been passed down from parents to fawns, and as Nara became increasingly touristy, the deer have learned to associate this behaviour with rewards.
While the deer may be enjoying their newfound popularity, Nara’s human residents are facing a different reality. The city is struggling to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the negative impacts on quality of life. As Japan continues to grapple with the challenges of overtourism, how the complex relationship between humans, animals and the environment evolves remains to be seen.
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