A female sika deer (Cervus nippon) in front of the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

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Sika deer (Cervus nippon) are common on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima). The deer on Miyajima are very tame, and according to local folklore, are considered sacred messengers from the gods. *** Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社 Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine best known for its "floating" torii gate. It is on Miyajima Island, considered part of the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures. *** Description sourced from Wikipedia (2018).

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Size: 2825px × 2815px
Location: Itsukushima Shrine, 1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
Photo credit: © Felix Choo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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