Get ready to immerse yourself in an epic journey through Japan’s history as you step through the gates of Osaka Castle.
This magnificent fortress, witness to crucial historical events, reveals the secrets of a bygone era and embodies the pride and perseverance of the Japanese people.
Discover the incredible cultural heritage and breathtaking architecture of one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.
Everything you need to know about Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle: a long history spanning nearly half a millennium
Osaka Castle – or ‘Osaka-jo’ in Japanese – is certainly one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, and for good reason.
This five-story castle is one of the country’s most spectacular creations, with a history dating back nearly 450 years!
One of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese culture is the sheer breadth of its rich history: across the country there are thousands of shrines, temples, and castles that literally date back hundreds of years, each with an interesting story to tell.
All year round, Japanese and international travelers make pilgrimages to many of these cultural sites to pay their respects, learn about Japanese history, or simply admire the extraordinarily intricate architecture for which Japan is famous around the world.
In 1583, Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1537–1598), a powerful feudal lord and warrior of the Sengoku period, built Osaka Castle during a time of unrest following numerous wars in the preceding decades.
Obsessed with gold, Hideyoshi insisted that it be applied to much of the castle’s interior furnishings, which is why it still appears today on the exterior decorations as well. Once completed, Hideyoshi kept the castle as his stronghold, which led to a withdrawal from the wars raging across Japan at the time, essentially unifying the country and bringing a temporary peace.
As history tends to show, peace did not last forever, and numerous wars broke out in the centuries that followed.
Osaka Castle was destroyed and rebuilt many times, and not always because of war: in 1665, the castle’s main tower was in fact destroyed by a fire caused by a lightning storm. After this period, the castle remained standing for another 200 years before being destroyed again during the Boshin War.
The most recent (and hopefully permanent) version of Osaka Castle was rebuilt in 1928 and, although it suffered some minor damage during World War II, the main structure remained standing and, after being recognized as a ‘historic site’ by the Japanese government in the 1950s, the castle still stands today.
Today’s Osaka Castle is a splendid testament to traditional Japanese architecture, from its subtle balance of colors to the delicate patterns and shapes that adorn each floor.
Well, now that you’ve survived the history lesson, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting places to visit in this magnificent architectural landmark.
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Five must-see attractions at Osaka Castle
#1 Tenshukaku – The main tower of Osaka Castle
The Tenshukaku, the main tower of Osaka Castle, rises at the center of Osaka Castle Park and stands on grounds covering about one square kilometer.
It was built on two raised landfill platforms supported by steep walls of cut stone, using an impressive technique called Burdock piling.
The tower was fully renovated in 1997, with fresh white plaster on the walls, new roof tiles, restored ornaments, and beautiful gold leaf decorations, and today it houses a museum and an observation deck from which you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views over the city of Osaka.
#2 Osaka Castle Tower Museum
On the first floor of the Main Tower Museum, there is an information center where it is advisable to stop and pick up a museum map. There is also a very nice souvenir shop.
There is also a cinema here showing five short documentaries about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Osaka Castle.
They last about 5 minutes each and are subtitled in English, Korean, and Chinese.
#3 Nishinomaru Garden
Nishinomaru Garden is located right next to the main tower of Osaka Castle – no more than a 5-minute walk away.
The garden is lovely and offers a splendid view of the main tower and the stone wall of a moat. In addition, Nishinomaru Garden is also famous for its 600 cherry trees, which bloom beautifully during spring.
Overall, there are around 4,000 cherry trees in Osaka Castle Park, and it is a spectacular sight to see them all in full bloom.
#4 The plum grove in Osaka Castle Park
If you are planning to visit Osaka Castle Park toward the end of February or the beginning of March, get ready for a wonderful surprise!
Needless to say, head straight to the Plum Grove, located on the east side of the inner moat. Here you will find about 1,300 plum trees that usually bloom in late February.
Overall, around 100 different varieties of plum trees are planted here. The blossoms range in color from white to every shade of pink, all the way to light purple.
#5 The moat and walls surrounding the castle
The moat and walls that surround the Osaka Castle complex today date back to the early 17th century, shortly after Tokugawa’s victory in the Summer War of Osaka in 1615.
Tokugawa himself ordered the reconstruction of the walls by hundreds of samurai clans from all over the country.
The massive stones from the Seto Inland Sea, mainly from near Shodoshima Island, were brought to Osaka to create the masugata – a kind of double right-angled bend built into a road for defensive purposes.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Osaka Castle is a fascinating symbol of Japan, with a history spanning nearly 450 years. Built in 1583 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, it has undergone destruction and reconstruction over the centuries.
Today, the current castle stands as a testament to traditional Japanese architecture, with highlights including the main tower, the museum, gardens filled with cherry and plum blossoms, and the moat with its defensive walls.
In short, Osaka Castle is an unmissable destination for lovers of Japanese history and architecture: that’s why we have put together an amazing tour to discover the most beautiful places in Japan.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at the full itinerary!
