Series of photos shows what happens when cute deer try to act all gangsta.
Much has been written about the free-roaming Japanese deer in Nara Prefecture, but there’s another well-known tourist site where deer also congregate: on the island of Miyajima, off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture.
Like their Nara counterparts, the Miyajima deer often get up to mischief, and one particular group on the island have become known as the local “yakuza” after they were caught harassing one of the casual restaurants in the area last year.
As it turns out, the four-legged heavies haven’t given up their gangster ways, as Twitter user @nahairo posted this new photo of them standing off against the restaurant owner just yesterday.
▼ Fukuya appears to be the preferred restaurant for deer on the island.
今日の厳島でのひとコマ pic.twitter.com/mFZcSUfMQq
— nahairo (@nahairo) March 3, 2019
The photo set off a flurry of tweets from other people online, who had photos of their own to share of the yakuza deer.
▼ “I was unable to exit the restaurant.”
https://twitter.com/nonsugarmilktea/status/1102224722945703936▼ “When I visited, one of the deer sat completely across the entrance”
https://twitter.com/KY_Airstrikes/status/1102192438272118786▼ “When I snapped this picture, all three of them turned to look at me.”
https://twitter.com/piyok0000/status/1102241233269747712▼ “They don’t mind being disturbed.”
https://twitter.com/k91811622/status/1102222418116931584▼ “This one looked like it was about to enter!”
私が見た時は入れそうな感じでした笑 pic.twitter.com/x2hbZYuO6s
— ぽん (@temporaryvirgin) March 3, 2019
▼ “When I passed by, there was a fawn wanting to get in.”
私が通った時は子鹿も入りたがってた pic.twitter.com/kl2dPbGtc5
— れあ🍁ファイナルありがとう🍶 (@thebest6368325) March 3, 2019
▼ “When I saw them, they were taking shelter from the rain.”
私が行った時は雨宿りしてました。 pic.twitter.com/FoOKEx1ycJ
— オヒ-ワン・ケノーヒ (@dokutorugama77) March 3, 2019
▼ “Here they are making out.”
イチャイチャしてました(^w^) pic.twitter.com/znVsb6xgFf
— まぁ (@marchang2248) March 3, 2019
▼ “This is habitual criminal activity!”
https://twitter.com/paaatsuki22/status/1102423743945535488▼ “I’ve seen them too. This one made me laugh at how eagerly it was trying to get in.”
私も見た事あります。
— nyanda(にゃんだ) (@meetminamida) March 4, 2019
結構グイグイ入ろうとしてて笑いました。 pic.twitter.com/TNQPjhKloT
As it turns out, the deer have been visiting the restaurant for at least six years, with this picture being taken in 2013.
https://twitter.com/kawabatamegu/status/1102348463725899776▼ And this one in 2014.
https://twitter.com/pipiko_sky_hi/status/1102346965931573248▼ “I took this photo about five years ago. Looks like these deer are regular customers at the restaurant.”
5年ぐらい前に撮った写真
— 養殖な天然 (@lbuslover) March 3, 2019
ここのお店は鹿さんが常連客なんですね😊 pic.twitter.com/WsKiu9Isz1
▼ “They’ve made the owner go grey (this was taken five years ago).”
https://twitter.com/tsumakichan/status/1102201674175733761▼ “I saw them four years ago!”
私も4年前に見ました!
— エビフライ (@ebifurai_shrimp) March 3, 2019
お盆だったので、観光客にたくさん撮られてました笑 pic.twitter.com/BI2s3Q5pX1
Despite the deer getting in the way of customers entering and exiting the restaurant, this photo shows that the owner actually has a good relationship with the animals.
▼ “When I was there, the kind owner was patting the deer on the head.”
私の時は頭ナデナデしてあげてました優しいおじちゃん pic.twitter.com/MHw9I38YtQ
— 爆裂チョモランマ🦑🥕 (@MeiRouge1) March 3, 2019
And this photo, taken three years ago, shows the real reason for their close relationship. Take a look at all that food in his hand!
https://twitter.com/minorin0506030/status/1102172558718230529While the owner clearly has a soft spot for the deer, their symbiotic relationship also appears to be bringing attention to his restaurant. And with dozens of photos appearing after just one tweet, it seems everyone knows that Fukuya is the place to go to for a good meal, whether you’re a human or a tourist-injuring four-legged beast.
Restaurant Information
Fukuya / フクヤ
Address: Hiroshima-ken, Hatsukaichi-shi, Miyajima-cho Hamano-cho 855-1
広島県廿日市市宮島町浜之町855-1
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Source: Hamusoku
Featured image: Twitter/@nahairo
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Gang of “yakuza deer” regularly takes over Japanese restaurant’s street-side entrance【Photos】
Watch out for bicycling deer?! Strange traffic sign confuses and inspires Japanese Twitter
New Nara deer adoption program lets you take home your own pet deer, help with overpopulation!
Deer in Nara refuse crackers after Golden Week visitors leave them too full to eat【Photos】
Nara deer have a heartfelt message for tourists in new travel poster
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Nagoya’s famous Shinkansen platform noodle shop has other, better branches nearby
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
Osaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Turn octopus, spaghetti, and more of your favorite foods into crackers with Senbei Maker 2
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Travelers’ misguided attempt to earn good luck is damaging Japan’s most famous torii shrine gate
Photo captures “miracle moment” a sandwich is stolen on Japan’s Miyajima island
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
Nara deer dies with four kilos of plastic in its stomach, tourists cautioned to feed animals properly
Cat beats up on sibling, Japanese owner catches the perfect uppercut on camera
Restaurant in Indonesia’s bizarrely translated Japanese menu commands customers to get stabbed
Japanese pet owner illustrates likeness between adorable Shiba Inu and Pokémon Eevee
Japanese cardboard-tank cats are here to conquer your heart and pillage your fridge【Pics】
Cat has Internet in stitches after getting itself stuck in awkward position
Bitter Colombian soccer fan tries to insult Japan, Japanese fans respond with kindness, and memes