The first thing that grabs the attention when you enter Nara Park, where the historical sites are is the deer. Nothing can prepare you for the sight of more than 1,000 of them freely roaming the grounds, completely unafraid of people. Believed to be messenger of the gods, the deer are considered sacred. Killing one of these sacred deer was a capital offense up until 1637, the last recorded date of a breach of that law. In present days they are designated as a Natural Monument and are protected as such.