The unofficial welcoming committee at Miyajima is the sika deer. Although wild, they are docile and appear tame while strolling among the tourists looking for handouts. You are repeatedly warned not to feed them. But the deer can’t read the signs. So watch your belongings while snapping their photo. These skillful theves will snatch anything you don’t carefully guard. You will assume the deer you encounter are fawns because of their spots. However, the cervus nippon is one of a few species who maintain their spots at maturity.
