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
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By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
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Festival boats on the pond
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View across the pond
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Just swimming around
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Lunch buddies?
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Sunbathing on a log
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Kofukuji's pagoda rising from the trees
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Who's the handsomest turtle here?
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Log party
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Steps lead to up to Kozen-in
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Where did that shrimp go?

Pretty little restaurant on the pond's edge
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Relaxing with the pigeons
Join the discussion
Radica Sooknarine
9 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.
2 comments in total
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