Shinobazu Pond, Artificial pond in Ueno Park, Japan.
Shinobazu Pond is an artificial pond in Ueno Park divided into three sections: a lotus field, a cormorant area within the zoo, and a boating section. The water surface covers a large part of the park and is surrounded by walkways and greenery, while the center features a small island with a red shrine.
The pond formed from a former bay that gradually turned into marshland and received its current name during the 15th century. During World War II, the water was drained and the entire area was converted into rice paddies to support food production.
The small island at the center holds a shrine named after Benten, a goddess of music and water. Visitors cross a red bridge to reach the shrine, and many come to pray for luck and success.
Visitors can rent boats at the pier to go out on the water, with options like rowboats, pedal boats, or swan boats. The area around the pond is good for walking, especially in summer when lotus flowers bloom and cover most of the surface.
In summer, a large part of the pond turns into a dense sea of lotus leaves and pink flowers that grow so close together you can barely see the water below. These plants attract many photographers who come early in the morning to capture the light on the petals.
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