Osaka stray deer named ‘Shikayan,’ eats cracker from Osaka, Nara governors


Shikayan eating a deer cracker from Osaka Gov Hirofumi Yoshimura (left) in Nose, Osaka Prefecture, on April 3. - The Yomiuri Shimbun/The Korea Herald

OSAKA: A deer that was captured while wandering around Osaka city was given a name during a ceremony at a campsite, its new home, in Osaka Prefecture on Friday (April 3).

The deer was named “Shikayan.” “Shika” means deer, and “yan” is an honorific commonly used in Osaka.

The name was proposed by Osaka Gov Hirofumi Yoshimura and later received popular support in a survey.

Shikayan likely came from Nara Park in Nara City, but Nara Prefecture said it would be difficult to take the deer back. As a result, Nose Onsen, a campsite operator in Nose, Osaka Prefecture, took it in.

The deer moved to its new home on March 27.

Nara Gov Makoto Yamashita also attended the ceremony, where he presented Nose Onsen with deer crackers and a wooden nameplate.

During the ceremony, the two governors fed deer crackers to Shikayan. - The Japan News/ANN

 

 

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Japan , deer , Shikayan , Osaka , Nara , stray

Next In Aseanplus News

Palestine’s Cabinet warns of deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza
China joins global sell-off of US Treasuries in March as Iran war prompts panic
Anwar takes over Pandan as adopted constituency
Kazakhstan to deepen financial services cooperation with Hong Kong, consul says
Supporters gather in KLIA to welcome Global Sumud Flotilla activists’ return
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (May 24, 2026)
Will US defence strategy architect Colby pave the way for Hegseth’s China visit?
Woman sleeping in car arrested after drugs, vapes found in vehicle parked in Singapore's Sin Ming
Thai PM Anutin reaffirms Thai-Cambodian border crossings remain closed
Seven trapped in Laos cave after heavy rain triggers flash floods

Others Also Read