Osaka Castle: History and Charm Combined
Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) is an important cultural asset of Japan located in the city of Osaka. Originally, this area was the site of a Buddhist temple called Ishiyama Hongan-ji, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the first person to attempt to unify Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the 16th century, built his castle here. It was later improved as Osaka Castle, but was destroyed by war a few years after its completion.
Osaka Castle was then restored by order of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, in 1665 it was heavily damaged by a lightning strike, and the beautiful castle tower remained damaged for hundreds of years. In 1931, the mayor of Osaka raised funds to restore Osaka Castle, and after extensive restoration, Osaka Castle has regained its former glory.
The current Osaka Castle is eight stories high and divided into five parts. Inside the castle, there are exhibits of paintings and costumes from the Toyotomi period, and the walls are decorated with paintings of tigers decorated with gold leaf. Osaka Castle is registered as a cultural heritage of Japan.
The walls surrounding Osaka Castle are made of large stones taken from quarries in Osaka and are about 30 meters high. These high walls have fortifications along the outer moat and beautiful castle gates encircle the castle. At the end of May 2011, Gokurakubashi Bridge, the wooden bridge to enter the castle, was completely renovated. This bridge is a popular spot for many tourists to take photos, especially when the hydrangea flowers are in full bloom.
Osaka Castle is one of the tourist attractions in Osaka, and those who have not visited it cannot say that they have truly visited Osaka. From the top floor of the castle, you can see the whole view of Osaka city, and it welcomes tourists all year round. Different flowers bloom in each season, and you can enjoy beautiful scenery. In spring (March), the magnificent cherry blossoms bloom, and in April, the pink and white cherry blossoms are in full bloom. In summer, the blue-purple hydrangeas color Osaka Castle, and they become even more beautiful, especially after rain. In autumn, the red leaves and orange maples create a romantic atmosphere.
Osaka holds various festivals throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, there is a sumo tournament, giving you a chance to see sumo in person. In the summer, the Tenjin Festival is held, a major festival representing Osaka and Japan, with parades, singing, dancing, and thousands of fireworks. In the fall, the Osaka Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition is held, where you can enjoy beautiful chrysanthemum decorations in Osaka Castle Park.
Basic Information
- Address: 1-1 Osaka Jo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (It takes about 60 minutes to tour the entire castle)
- Closed: New Year's Holidays
- Access: Walk from JR Morinomiya Station or Osaka Castle Park Station (Exit 1 or Exit 3, about 15 to 20 minutes)
- Admission Fee: 600 yen for adults, free for junior high school students and younger
