You can spot lots of carps koi and occasionally turtle. The scenery is calm. Too bad the pagoda was in restoration otherwise the scenery would have been superb. Lots of deer nearby.
Close to metro station
Saruzawa Pond – A Beautiful Historic Spot in the Heart of Nara 🇯🇵
Saruzawa Pond is one of the most scenic and peaceful places in Nara, located right next to Nara Park 🦌 and the famous Kofuku-ji Temple ⛩️. The pond was created in 749 during the Nara period, making it more than 1,200 years old.
Originally, it was built for a Buddhist ritual called Hōjō-e, where captured animals were released back into nature 🕊️ as a symbol of respect for life.
The pond itself is not very large, but the view is iconic. On calm days, the water beautifully reflects the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji 🏯, the surrounding trees 🌲, and historic buildings. It creates a stunning postcard-like scene that perfectly represents the beauty of traditional Japan.
Walking around the pond only takes about 10 minutes 🚶♂️, but the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. The best time to visit is late afternoon or sunset 🌅, when the water becomes like a mirror and the scenery turns golden.
Saruzawa Pond is also known for the mysterious legend called “The Seven Mysteries of Sarusawa Pond” 🔎. One of the stories says that the pond has no visible river flowing in or out, yet the water level never changes. Quite fascinating!
Right next to the pond is Uneme Shrine ⛩️, connected to a tragic love story from the Nara period 💔, which adds another layer of history to this beautiful place.
Nearby attractions within walking distance 📍
• Kofuku-ji Temple (five-story pagoda) 🏯
• Nara Park and the famous deer 🦌
• Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha 🙏
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine ⛩️
• Naramachi historic district 🏘️
Saruzawa Pond is the perfect starting point for exploring Nara 🗾.
Take a slow walk around the pond, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and don’t forget your camera 📸.
Highly recommended for photography, sunsets, and a quiet moment in historic
A peaceful and scenic spot in central Nara. Beautiful reflections of the five-storied pagoda on the water, especially at sunset. Great place for a quiet stroll and to see deer nearby. Free and easy to access—perfect for a short break between sightseeing.
I stopped by the pond to rest my feet after walking around the shopping street. It was very calming and quiet to sit by the pond, you can see kofukuji temple from here. It's like a small park but with a big pond for you to enjoy while you're in the area.
Beautiful view! Came during mid july so it was definitely humid, however we didn't spend too long here! We also came across a deer lazing around. 😊
