オススメ度
外国語対応
About Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle, one of the most renowned castles of Japan, is famous for its robust structure and massive stone walls.
However, because none of the original architecture remains from when it was first built, the castle was never named as one of the country’s national treasures.
Brief History
Osaka Castle was built over a span of 15 years from 1583 under the direction of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598).
As then-leader of the samurai of Japan, he sought to utilize the castle while unifying Japan.
* Note: Toyotomi Hideyoshi is still famous and popular among the Japanese as the supreme ruler who rose from rags to riches.
In fact, he started his life as a farmer!
In 1615, the large-scale “Summer Siege of Osaka” between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans burnt down most of Osaka Castle.
The Toyotomi clan also perished in this war.
The reconstruction of Osaka Castle began in 1620 under Tokugawa Hidetada (1579–1632), the second general of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The castle tower was once again destroyed by lightning in 1665 and was not rebuilt until 1931.
This “third generation” castle tower is made of reinforced concrete; as a result of the reconstruction, the tower itself unfortunately has virtually no historical value.
Inside & Nearby Excursions
That doesn’t mean the place isn’t worth a visit, of course.
From the magnificent stone walls to Ootemon and numerous imposing turrets, both Osaka Castle and the surrounding ruins are grand in both sights and scale.
There are also many dioramas and valuable cultural properties displayed in the castle tower, so be sure take a tour of the interior for an educational experience on Japan’s civil war era.
Osaka Castle Park on the castle grounds is also great for a stroll.
Despite being located in the center of the city, the million square meter park is overflowing with green scenery.
It’s particularly beautiful during the spring season, and many visitors come simply to enjoy the cherry and plum blossoms.
Recommendation
There are many cultural assets pertaining to Japan’s civil war period displayed inside the castle, as mentioned in the ‘About’ section.
For those interested in Japan’s history and art, definitely take some time to appreciate the contents.
And even if you’re not one of those people, you can skip ahead to the eighth floor for your social media-worthy snapshot of the entire city of Osaka.
It’s best to enter the castle grounds from the East Gate using Osaka Jo Koen (Osaka Castle Park), Morinomiya, or Osaka Business Park Station.
To exit, pass by Ootemon and the hall turrets to go out through the West gate and take the subway to your next destination from Tanimachi 4-chome Station.
Access to Osaka Castle Tower
While all of the stations listed below are close to the park, it will take approximately 20 min to get to the castle tower on foot.
19-minute walk from:
- Osaka Castle Park Tower Station / JR Osaka Loop Line
- Morinomiya Station / JR Osaka Loop Line,Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line and Chuo Line
18-minute walk from:
- Tanimachi 4-chome Station / Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and Chuo Line
- Osaka Business Park Station / Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
19-minute walk from:
- Tenma-bashi Station / Keihan Line and Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line
Osaka Castle Park
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-1 Osaka, Chuo-ku, Osaka City |
|---|---|
| Access | To the castle tower: While al[…] |
| Tel | 06-6941-3044 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sightseeing
Osaka Castle Tower
This enormous tower standing at 54.8-meters tall, appears to only be five stories but is actually eight.
The inside of the tower has been reconstructed into a museum where you can learn about the history of Japan’s civil war period. Many different cultural objects, videos, and dioramas are on display, and there are plenty of opportunities for you to take a few commemorative photos.
Inside the Castle Tower
Museum shop for souvenirs and a theater room
The museum shop also sells many souvenirs.
Take a photo with the panel of the castle tower in the background.
For just ¥500, dress up either as a war general with traditional Japanese helmets and battle coats, or in a short-sleeved kimono, and take a photo with the panel of the castle tower in the background.
There are also different statue replicas on display, including the animal called a shachihoko with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp, as well as a life-sized tiger on the castle wall.
The shachihoko stands at 2.2-meters tall and 1-meter wide while the tiger is approximately 1.5-meters tall and 3.3-meters wide. Seen up close, they are astonishingly large and of a beautiful gold color.
It’s so good to take a photo together.
Life-size model of the “Golden Tearoom
It is a replica of the tearoom that Toyotomi Hideyoshi had built with lots of gold.
The tearoom was mobile, so he brought it along with him to hold tea ceremonies at any time that he saw fit.
The room might have been luxurious in of itself, but one could even call it an obsession at that point.
Other than that, there are also two models of Osaka Castle from the Toyotomi and Tokugawa Eras on the 3rd floor.
Photography is unfortunately prohibited on this floor.
There are various historical items that change every two months.
The following are common valuables that are often on display: a picture folding screen illustrating the fervent Summer Siege of Osaka, armor of samurai commanders, helmets, and swords.
The climax stages of the Summer Siege of Osaka
This floor exhibits the climax stages of the Summer Siege of Osaka through an elaborate model that uses 307 figurines.
There is also a panorama that explains the focal points of the aforementioned picture folding screen illustrating the Summer Siege of Osaka.
This floor is a corridor and cannot be entered.
hologram of Toyotomi Hideyoshi walks through the miniature models.
If you’re interested in learning more about Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this is the floor for you. It details his life in 19 phases (approximately 25 minutes), and you get to see a hologram of him walking through the miniature models.
The top floor – observatory
You can walk along the outside corridor and have a 360-degree view of Osaka City from a height of 50 meters.
Definitely check out the enormous golden shachihoko that you can see directly up close here.
Around Osaka Castle
Houkoku Shrine
Houkoku Shrine(Osaka)
Visiting this shrine will supposedly bring you success and good luck in the future. It is a 5-minute walk from the south side of the castle tower and was where Toyotomi Hideyoshi was deified. A 5.2-meter tall statue of this commander stands just right past the torii gate of the shrine.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-1 Osaka Castle, Chuo-ku, Osaka City |
|---|---|
| Access | 10-minute walk from Morinomiy[…] |
| Tel | 06-6941-0229 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tako Megalith
This megalith, weighing at 108 tons, reaches a height of 5.5 meters and is also 11.7 meters wide.
It is the largest of its kind at Osaka Castle and is located approximately 200 meters south of the castle tower, at the Main Gate from Sakura Gate.
It was brought all the way from Okayama Prefecture in 1624 during the reconstruction of Osaka Castle under the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Speaking of great megaliths, even the largest one at Stonehenge in England is 6.6 meters and only weighs 45 tons.
This megalith was given the name Tako (octopus) after the octopus-shaped pattern on the bottom left-side of the boulder.
Gokuraku-bashi Bridge
You’ll pass this bridge on your way from Osaka Castle Park Station. It connects the Yamazatomaru, the northern edge of the main enclosure of the castle, and Ninomaru, the outer bailey.
It is a popular photo opportunity for those who want to take a picture of the bridge, stone wall, and castle tower.
If you take one at the foot of the bridge, you’ll be able to get in all three of them in one photo!
Osaka Castle Gozabune Boat
Osaka Castle Gozabune Boat
Take a 20-minute spin along the inner moat of Osaka Castle on this tourist boat, and you’ll be able to see Japan’s highest stone wall from a close proximity. Long ago, only those of a high status were able to ride this special boat layered with gold foil.
[ See details ]
| Address | Osaka Castle, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka |
|---|---|
| Access | The ticket office and boardin[…] |
| Tel | 06-6314-3773 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Nature (Flowers)
Cherry Blossoms
Osaka Castle has a high reputation, having been named one of the best sakura spots in the country.
During cherry blossom season, 3000 trees sprout their glorious pink hues in the park.
If you look north from the castle tower’s 8th floor observatory, you’ll see a blanket of these colors right under your line of sight.
The 300 Somei-Yoshino cherry blossom trees that grow in Nishinomaru Garden are particularly a sight to see.
The night sakura watching events held from the end of March to mid-April would be a great opportunity to enjoy illuminations in the castle park as well.
There are also late-blooming double cherry blossoms near Tamatsukuri gate, so don’t worry if you didn’t get to see the Somei-Yoshino sakura in full-bloom!
Plum Blossoms
Osaka Castle is also home to around 1,300 plum blossom trees.
Over 100 types of these trees are located on the eastern side of the castle tower, specifically in a 1.7 hectare area between the inner and outer eastern moats.
These trees bloom early in spring from the end of February to the beginning of March.
However, because different types of plum blossoms bloom at slightly different times, you’ll still be able to enjoy the beautiful sights of them here anywhere between the end of January and the end of March.
Access to Plum Grove
- 9 min walk from Osaka Business Park Station on the Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
- 12 min walk from Osaka Castle Park Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line
- 13 min walk from Morinomiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line and Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
