Sarusawa Pond is a scenic pond in Nara Park, in the heart of Nara City, Nara Prefecture. With a circumference of approximately 360 meters, it is renowned for its beautiful reflections of the willow trees along its banks and the historic five-story pagoda of Kofukuji Temple. The combination of water, greenery, and traditional architecture creates a scene reminiscent of a Japanese painting.
The view is celebrated as Sarusawa Pond in Moonlight, one of the traditional Eight Views of Nanto, the historic name for the Nara area. The pond is popular with visitors and photographers, especially when the surrounding scenery is reflected on its calm surface. To the north, stone steps known as Gojuni-dan, the five-story pagoda, and the sloping path called Suberizaka form a distinctive historic landscape designated as a Nara Prefecture Scenic Asset.
Sarusawa Pond is an artificial pond created in 749, during the Nara period, for the Buddhist ceremony known as Hojō-e, or the Life-Releasing Ritual, conducted by Kofukuji Temple. During this ceremony, captured animals, such as fish and birds, are released into their natural habitats as an expression of respect for life and gratitude for all living things.
The pond has retained its cultural and religious significance over the centuries. Today, it is also a beloved public gathering place, offering a peaceful setting amid the historic landmarks and lively streets of central Nara.
Sarusawa Pond is located near Sanjo-dori, a major street running east to west between JR Nara Station and the area around Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The covered Higashimuki Shopping Street, which extends from Kintetsu Nara Station, also provides convenient access to the surrounding attractions.
The pond and its surroundings have been developed as Sarusawa Pond Park, a pleasant place for both residents and tourists to relax. In 2017, an experimental seasonal waterside dining platform known as ikadoko was introduced, inspired by the traditional riverside dining culture of Kyoto. This initiative offered a new way to enjoy the pond’s historic atmosphere.
Sarusawa Pond is associated with a collection of local legends known as the Seven Mysteries of Sarusawa Pond. These traditional observations have contributed to the pond’s mysterious reputation.
The seven mysteries are traditionally described as follows:
1. Never completely clear: The pond’s water never becomes entirely transparent.
2. Never excessively murky: Despite never being completely clear, the water does not become extremely cloudy.
3. No visible outlet: No obvious outlet for the water can be seen.
4. No visible inlet: No obvious source of incoming water can be seen, yet the water level remains relatively stable.
5. Turtles but no frogs: Turtles are common in the pond, while frogs are traditionally said to be absent.
6. No naturally growing algae: The pond is traditionally described as having no naturally growing aquatic algae.
7. Seven parts fish, three parts water: Even when many fish are released into the pond, they do not appear to overcrowd it.
In reality, underground channels known as ankyo are believed to carry water into and out of the pond. However, some of the traditional mysteries, including the reported absence of frogs and the lack of naturally growing algae, have continued to attract curiosity.
In recent years, the growth of cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, has become a concern, sometimes turning the pond’s surface green. Those responsible for the pond have been exploring ways to address the problem while preserving this historic landscape.
One of the best-known stories associated with Sarusawa Pond is the Legend of the Uneme. According to the tale, a court lady known as an uneme, distressed by the loss of the emperor’s affection, threw herself into the pond.
Uneme Shrine, located beside the water, was established to console her spirit. The story remains an important part of the pond’s cultural identity and adds a poignant dimension to its otherwise peaceful scenery.
The annual Uneme Festival is held in remembrance of the court lady. The event features atmospheric lights and elegant processions around the pond, creating a solemn and evocative scene that reflects the traditional culture of the ancient capital.
Sarusawa Pond also appears in the background of The Dragon, a short story by renowned Japanese author Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The tale draws on a legend in which a dragon rises from the pond into the heavens, summoning clouds and bringing rain as it ascends.
The name Sarusawa is also said to have a Buddhist connection to Monkey Pond, known as Bikō-ike, in the ancient Indian kingdom of Vaishali. This association reflects the broader religious and cultural influences woven into the pond’s history.
Another local tradition connects Sarusawa Pond with Oino Pond in Oyodo Town, Nara Prefecture. According to the story, a young woman who fell in love with a monk from Kofukuji Temple drowned herself in Oino Pond. Legend holds that the two ponds are connected underground, and a tale persists that her hat, known as the Oino no Kasa, once appeared floating on Sarusawa Pond.
The northern side of Sarusawa Pond offers one of Nara’s most recognizable views: the five-story pagoda of Kofukuji Temple rising above the trees and reflecting in the water. The present pagoda was rebuilt in 1426, during the Muromachi period, and stands approximately 50.1 meters tall.
Designated a National Treasure of Japan, the pagoda is one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. It has long served as a symbol of Nara, and its elegant silhouette against the pond’s surface remains one of the area’s classic scenic views.
Sarusawa Pond brings together scenic beauty, Buddhist heritage, traditional festivals, and centuries-old legends in a single tranquil setting. From the reflection of Kofukuji Temple’s five-story pagoda to the mysterious stories surrounding its waters, the pond offers visitors more than just a picturesque view.
Whether you visit for photography, a peaceful stroll, or to discover the stories behind Nara’s cultural traditions, Sarusawa Pond is a rewarding stop in the heart of the ancient capital.
5 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station
15 minutes walk from JR Nara Station