Chest opened
+${chestReward.xp} XP
Explorer
NOUVEAU ×${chestReward.collectible.quantity}
tapez pour fermer

See the monuments around you in AR Open chests in the app

Around Us is built for your phone — point your camera at the streets and discover the monuments and places around you in augmented reality. Around Us is built for your phone — chests unlock when you walk, explore and capture nearby places.

•

Enable Location

We need your location to show you interesting places around you

Discover nearby places

Find interesting locations and hidden gems around you

Precise directions

Get accurate directions and distances to places

Your location is never shared with other users. It's only used when you tap the location button.

Sarusawa Pond

Log in to your account

Start exploring — it's free

Trusted by 93,403 travelers worldwide

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
or

We will send you a code to connect

By continuing, you accept our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy

Check your inbox

We've sent a pincode in your inbox. Please enter the code below.

Sarusawa Pond, Historic pond in Nara Park, Japan.

Sarusawa Pond is a rectangular artificial pond in Nara Park with a perimeter of about 360 meters. A low wall of fitted grey and brown stones borders the far bank, and willows and pines line the shore. The five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji and its surrounding willows are reflected on the water surface, a view counted among the Nanto Hakkei, Nara's Eight Views.

The pond was created in 749 during Japan's Nara period and stands among the oldest features of the park. It has remained central to the landscape for more than a thousand years, defining the character of the area.

Each April, Kōfuku-ji temple holds a hōjō-e ceremony here, releasing captured animals as an act of offering. The pond's name is said to derive from the Miko Pond of Vaiśālī in India, or from a monkey pond, referring to a large or short-tailed monkey. The Uji Shūi Monogatari tells of a monk who mischievously posted a sign reading 'a dragon appears in Sarusawa Pond'; Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's story 'Ryū' draws on this tale.

The pond is easily reachable on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station and sits within the main park area. Good walking shoes are recommended since paths around the water are paved, and different viewpoints offer different perspectives of the water's reflections.

The water's surface mirrors the five-story pagoda of the neighboring temple and forms part of Nara's Eight Views. These reflections are sharpest during calm weather, making certain spots along the shore popular for photographs.

The community of curious travelers

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,403 contributors worldwide.

Start exploring
Location
Inception
749
Part of
Nara Park
GPS coordinates
34.68144,135.83096
Latest update
October 31, 2026 10:10
Reviews
Share your experience

No review yet

Discussions
Start a discussion...

No discussion yet

« Sarusawa Pond - Historic pond in Nara Park, Japan » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!

From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.

Around Us App Screenshot
❝

A unique approach to discovering new places❞

— Le Figaro

❝

All the places worth exploring❞

— France Info

❝

A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞

— 20 Minutes

Around Us
Travel Guide & Maps
Download

Send to your phone

QR Code
1

Open the camera app on your mobile.

2

Point at the QR code with your camera. A notification will appear.

3

Tap the notification to open the link.