Shinobazu Pond, Tokyo

Shinobazu Pond, situated within Tokyo's Ueno Park, is a natural body of water that originated around 1800 years ago as a lagoon lake connected to Tokyo Bay. The local community named this pond Shinobazu Pond during the 15th century. It can be found in the southwestern part of the park and boasts a circumference of approximately 2 kilometers with a surface area spanning 1,100,000 square meters.

This pond is divided into three distinct sections. The first is known as the Lotus Pond, which, during the summer, becomes completely adorned with lush Lotus plants and vibrant flowers. The second section is the Boat Pond, where park visitors have the opportunity to rent rowing boats and swan pedal boats for a leisurely excursion around the pond. Lastly, there's the Cormorant Pond, an extension of the Ueno Zoo, serving as a natural habitat for native Japanese cormorants.

Within Shinobazu Pond, there exists a man-made island, housing a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the Goddess of learning, music, and arts. This pond is not only a serene environment but also a thriving ecosystem, home to various fauna including tufted ducks, pochards, black-headed gulls, and northern pintails. It also hosts a diverse range of fish species, and more recently, alligator snapping turtles have been observed breeding in the pond.

Additionally, there is a waterside music hall where concerts and various events are held throughout the year, adding to the cultural and recreational appeal of Shinobazu Pond.