Saruzawa Pond in Nara is teeming with turtles. You won't see them in winter, but in summer they come out to play - or rather, sunbathe, swim and eat. If you are lucky you can also see dragon boats, or maybe they are phoenix boats. Kozen-in and the pagoda of Kofukuji stand on the hillside above the pond, and a small, picturesque restaurant is built out over the water at one end.
- 1 min read
Saruzawa Pond in Nara
Sunbathing turtles overlooked by Kofukuji Pagoda
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
Festival boats on the pond
View across the pond
Just swimming around
Lunch buddies?
Sunbathing on a log
Kofukuji's pagoda rising from the trees
Who's the handsomest turtle here?
Log party
Steps lead to up to Kozen-in
Where did that shrimp go?
Pretty little restaurant on the pond's edge
Relaxing with the pigeons
Join the discussion
Radica Sooknarine
10 years ago
I absolutely adore those turtle photos!
Thanks, Radica. I can never resist trying to take photos of local wildlife, but I think these are my best ever turtle photos.
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