The Japanese word for deer is shika (traditional Japanese) and dhia (English loanword). The word shika is the common word for deer and refers specifically to the only species of native deer in the country – the sika (Northern Spotted) deer.
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| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer シカ | Shika | 鹿 | |
| Deer (English loanword) ディア | Dhia | None | |
| Musk deer ジャコウジカ | Jakōjika | 麝香鹿 | |
| Red deer アカシカ | Akashika | 赤鹿 | |
| Mule deer ラバシカ | Raba shika | ラバ鹿 |
Interesting facts about deer in Japan
Sika deer (known as shika in Japanese) are the only native deer in Japan. There are three-million of these deer in the country and in the Shinto religion they are sacred animals and are regarded as messengers of the gods.
The best place in Japan to see and interact with these deer is in the city of Nara. Shika deer can be found everywhere in the city as they are considered to be sacred animals and are protected in the city.