The Adorably Whimsical ‘Deer Train’ Transports Visitors to Japan’s Famed Nara Park

People ride a train with spotted benches, deer illustrations on the walls, and deer handles

All images courtesy of Marei/@mareiii04, shared with permission

Sacred in the Shinto religion and an officially designated national treasure, the deer in Nara, Japan, are widely known for roaming a public park and bowing for treats—although the animals in recent years have been dubbed the “devious deer” because of their increasingly demanding behavior.

Those traveling to the region to fawn over the uncharacteristically mannered creatures can now ride in an equally adorable coach. Operated by Kintetsu Railways, the Deer Train is decked out with lush, spotted seats, grassy flooring, handles shaped like pudgy animals, and illustrations by Tokyo-based artist Gemi that transform the cars into a whimsical, cervine world.

The specially designed transit started operating in late 2022 and runs between Nara, which is about 45 minutes south of Kyoto via rail, and Sannomiya. (via Spoon & Tamago)

A train with spotted benches and deer handles

A train with spotted benches, deer illustrations on the walls, and deer handles

A train with spotted benches and deer illustrations on the walls

A train with deer handles

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