A herd of deer are shutting out visitors to a public park after taking over its entrance’s cooling station.
Nara Park, located in the city of Nara, Japan, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, is one of the prefecture’s most popular tourist hotspots, especially in the summer months.
Established in 1880, it is one of the oldest parks in Japan.
But with the country experiencing some record-breaking temperatures this year, with highs of 40°C, the park council decided to set up some “cool down stations” to prevent heat exhaustion.
The stations are metal frames that stretch over walkways to cool off pedestrians passing underneath.
But they also seem to have been a big hit with wild deer, who famously roam freely through the grounds.
And they’re not afraid of getting in the way of tourists.
In a picture to X on 13 August, a herd of deers can be seen sitting under the misting station, thoroughly enjoying the cooling water.
One person joked: “No, it was originally for the deer.”
Sumire said: “Around Nara Park, deer are the top priority.”
Another user wrote: “The deer are hot too. It’s the same as humans.”
Someone else said: “The deer are exhausted in the summer. I’ll give it to you. But humans also want to be showered with mist.”
May commented: “The deer are hot too.”
Nara Park’s mist stations are currently scheduled to be in operation until 16 September.
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