Shika senbei, or deer crackers, are special rice-bran crackers sold to visitors who want to feed the wild deer living in and around Nara Park in Nara City. Available from vendors throughout the park and its surroundings, these crackers are an iconic part of the Nara sightseeing experience. For many travelers, the image of Nara is inseparable from its friendly-looking deer and the familiar sight of visitors offering them these traditional treats.
Feeding deer is a memorable way to experience Nara’s distinctive relationship between people, wildlife, and centuries-old traditions. However, the crackers are specially made for deer, and visitors should follow the recommended feeding practices to keep both themselves and the animals safe.
The tradition of feeding deer in Nara dates back centuries. Deer crackers are believed to have been sold as early as the 1670s, during the Edo period (1603–1868). An illustrated guidebook published in 1791, titled Yamato Meisho Zue, depicts people offering flat pieces of food to deer at teahouses near Kasuga Taisha Shrine. This illustration shows that interactions between people and deer were already a familiar feature of Nara’s cultural landscape.
Today, the name Shika Senbei is a registered trademark of the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation, a public interest organization dedicated to protecting Nara’s deer. The foundation does not manufacture or sell the crackers themselves. Instead, it issues official certification papers used to identify authorized products. This system began in 1913 to help raise funds for deer conservation.
Official deer crackers are tied together with a white paper band bearing a deer logo. The certification band is designed to be harmless even if a deer accidentally eats it. It is made from 100% pulp, uses soybean-based ink, and is secured with edible glue.
Sales of these certification bands generate approximately 30 million yen annually, according to the figures cited for the system. The proceeds support a range of conservation activities, including treating injured deer and protecting female deer during childbirth.
The price of deer crackers has gradually increased over the years. They cost 100 yen until 1991, rose to 150 yen and remained at that price until 2019, and then increased to 200 yen in October 2019. Some manufacturers adjusted the size or thickness of their crackers to help keep prices stable during earlier tax increases.
To make the crackers easier to obtain outside regular vending hours, special I LOVE Shika vending machines were introduced in 2022. These machines have been installed at locations including the Kasuga Taisha Deer Park area and parking-lot rest facilities. Each box contains one bundle of 10 crackers, allowing visitors to purchase them even when nearby vendors are closed.
Deer crackers are made from just two main ingredients: rice bran and wheat flour. They contain no added sugar, salt, or preservatives. Fresh rice bran with no burnt material or excess oil is used to make the crackers suitable for deer to digest.
The crackers are not considered poisonous to humans, but they are intended as animal feed rather than human food. They are unseasoned and may be dry, difficult to swallow, and unpleasant in aftertaste. Visitors are therefore discouraged from eating them.
The deer of Nara Park are wild animals, not domesticated pets kept alive by visitors feeding them crackers. Their natural diet consists mainly of plants such as grass, leaves, and acorns. A deer may consume around five kilograms of vegetation a day, while a single cracker weighs only about three to four grams. Even several dozen crackers amount to little more than a snack compared with their normal daily food intake.
The deer follow a natural daily routine. Around sunrise, they leave their resting areas to forage for food. In the evening, they return to their resting places, where they relax and chew their cud. Watching them move through the park offers a glimpse into the lives of animals that have long shared this historic landscape with people.
Once you purchase deer crackers, nearby deer may quickly gather around you. Remove the paper band promptly and offer the crackers one at a time without teasing the animals or making them wait unnecessarily. Deer that become impatient may tug at clothing or nudge visitors with their heads.
You may notice deer bowing their heads toward you. This familiar gesture is often a learned behavior associated with asking for food. When your crackers run out, spread both hands open to show that you have nothing left. Hiding the food is unlikely to help, as deer can detect its smell.
If deer continue to approach after you have finished feeding them, calmly ignore them and walk away at a brisk pace. Many will eventually lose interest. Avoid sudden movements, and give the animals space rather than trying to touch or restrain them.
Although Nara’s deer are accustomed to people, they are not domesticated animals and can behave unpredictably. Young children may be especially vulnerable to being nipped, pushed, or kicked. An adult should always stay close and supervise children carefully when they are near the deer.
Do not tease the animals, wave crackers around to provoke them, or attempt to hold their heads or antlers. If a deer becomes excited or persistent, stop feeding it and move away calmly.
A popular story claims that Nara’s deer never attack stalls selling deer crackers. In reality, this is not always true. When visitor numbers are low, deer may take opportunities to reach the crackers displayed at a stall.
Vendors use techniques such as clapping their hands and calling out to discourage the deer from approaching the merchandise. Their daily efforts help prevent the crackers from being eaten before they can be sold. The peaceful coexistence of people and deer in Nara depends not only on tradition but also on the continued care and attention of those who work around the animals.
Deer crackers also feature in an unusual local event: the Deer Cracker Throwing Contest, held on Mount Wakakusa since 1993. The competition takes place on selected dates around the spring equinox, during Golden Week in early May, and during the summer holiday period.
Participants throw specially made crackers approximately 20 centimeters in diameter and compete to see who can send one the farthest. The event has its own distinctive rules: if a deer eats a cracker before it lands, the point where the deer takes it may count as the recorded distance. The reported all-time record is 74.55 meters, making this a uniquely Nara-style event that combines local wildlife with lighthearted competition.
At Nara Park, deer should be fed only official deer crackers. Bread, sweets, vegetables, and other human foods can cause health problems or lead to accidents, so never offer them to the animals. Keep plastic bags, paper, and other litter out of reach, as deer may accidentally swallow these materials.
Shika senbei represent a centuries-old tradition of living alongside Nara’s deer. By understanding their history, feeding the animals responsibly, and respecting their wild nature, visitors can enjoy a meaningful encounter with one of Japan’s most recognizable cultural and natural attractions.