Nara is located in the Kansai region of Japan directly bordering Kyoto . It is home to eight temples, shrines, and ruins which collectively form the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784 and in 2010 Nara celebrated the 1,300th anniversary of its ascension as Japan’s imperial capital.
Deer in Nara are friendly and roam the city freely. According to legend a mythological god, Takemikazuchi, arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijokyo. Ever since then the deer have been seen as heavenly animals protecting the city and the country.