
We’ve all no doubt heard of the polite deer in the city of Nara that have learned to bow their heads to tourists in order to get food, but did you know that they also obey the law and know how to cross the road properly?
Check out these photos for one incredibly cute example of how to use a pedestrian crossing!
Taken by a Western tourist in Japan near Nara Park, the following series of photos shows one little deer patiently waiting on the opposite side of the road while the light was red. Other tourists, too, began snapping the little fellow but it remained rooted to the spot simply watching the road.

▼ “Oh, a red light. OK, better wait.”
▼ “Man, these things just aren’t changing.”
▼ “Okay, now we go!”
▼ “‘scuse me…”
▼ Bravo, little one! You just set a great example and looked cute all the the same time.
So remember, kids, if a cute little deer can cross the road properly, so can you! Besides, if you want to get the best photos you’ll stand on the opposite side to watch them anyway…
Source/images: Kaigai no Omira via Hachima Kikou (Japanese)






In law-abiding, snowy Japan, even this deer apparently follows the traffic rules
Nara deer have a heartfelt message for tourists in new travel poster
Nara deer “addicted” to rice crackers, lose weight with no tourists to feed them
Nara asks visitors to stop feeding the deer
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s favorite popsicle is changing the way it tastes and feels for first time in over 20 years
Can Kyoto supermarket takeout let you enjoy the local cuisine without fancy restaurant prices?
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
Japanese Twitter users surprised to learn that “Yoko Ono-ing” is a verb in English
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Nara deer stampede into marathon, hit runner in their path
Increased tourist numbers in Nara Park are affecting the size of its deer population
Nara deer leave park, head to station for food as tourist numbers tumble due to coronavirus
Locals (deer) shut visitors out of Nara Park cool-down misting station【Video】
Deer in Nara Park outnumber visitors, display baffling summer gathering behaviour
Adorable bowing deer in Japan shows you can be concurrently cute and courteous【Video】
Deer in Nara refuse crackers after Golden Week visitors leave them too full to eat【Photos】
Deer killed by man with axe in Nara
Nara deer dies with four kilos of plastic in its stomach, tourists cautioned to feed animals properly
New Nara deer adoption program lets you take home your own pet deer, help with overpopulation!
Video of man kicking, slapping deer in Nara Park outrages Japan【Video】
Deer in Nara Park mysteriously disappear during this year’s shikadamari season
Nara Park’s first baby deer of the year has been born, is totally adorable【Video】
Why isn’t there more deer poo in Nara Park? This very strange museum has the answer【Photos】
Nara unveils new vending machines that sell deer crackers