Toro Sarusawa Pond is a small pond about 360 meters in circumference, located at the entrance to Nara Park. The grand willow trees and Kofukuji's Five-storied Pagoda reflecting on the pond's surface rank it as one of eight marvelous sights of Nara. The Uneme Festival is held around Sarusawa Pond in the evening of August 15 (the Harvest Moon according to the ancient calendar). Hanaogi-tsukai in junihitoe (Japanese court lady's ceremonial dress) parades together with chigo (children) on the streets of old town pulling a flower wagon. When night comes, ryutosen boat full with women dressed in old ritual clothes floats on Sarusawa Pond. Kofukuji's Five-storied Pagoda stands out bathed in lights, and the sound of koto is heard from the boat. At the end of the festival, the Hanaogi-tsukai getting on the ryutosen boat floats a hanaogi (flower fan) on the surface of the Sarusawa Pond.
