Aug 30, 2014 - 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

Sunbathing on a log

Kofukuji's pagoda rising from the trees

Who's the handsomest turtle here?

Steps lead to up to Kozen-in

Where did that shrimp go?

Pretty little restaurant on the pond's edge

Relaxing with the pigeons

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.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Radica Sooknarine

Radica Sooknarine 10 years ago

I absolutely adore those turtle photos!

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 9 years ago

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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