Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle, also known as the Golden City, is one of the three most famous castles in Japan. The other two are Nagoya Castle and Himeji Castle. It is now open to the public as a park. The 8-floor-high Osaka Castle Museum in white with green-tiled roofs is a symbol building of Osaka Castel, where visitors can overlook the cityscapes. Besides, visitors can appreciate cherry blossoms from March to April, peach blossoms during mid-March, and hydrangeas from May to July.

Initially Built in 1583

The castle witnessed countless wars and changes in history. It was initially established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), called Napoleon of Japan who once ruled the whole Japan for a short time, in 1583 and was destroyed in 1615. The current Osaka Castle main tower, aka Osaka Castle Museum was established in 1931.

Osaka Castle Photos ( 33

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Defensive Structure of Osaka Castle

Moat and Stone Wall of Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is a typical Japanese castle, surrounded by wide moats and high walls. Wide moats outside the castle helped stop enemies or animals to some extent. The high walls are built of huge, heavy, and solid granite stones. The largest of these stones weighs about 130 tons. Here is a brief comparison: The stone of Khufu's pyramid in Egypt is about 2.5 tons per block, and the granite inside the pyramid is about 80 tons. The largest stone at Stonehenge in England weighs about 45 tons. Now you must have a more deep impression on how big these stones of Osaka Castle are.

These stones are piled regularly at certain angles. Given the wall’s smooth and upright angle, it is very difficult for a person to climb over the wall without tools. Besides, the wall is significantly higher than the opposite bank, which is a basic defense requirement. Furthermore, there are some white buildings established on the wall to help defend the castle and attack the enemies.

Top Attractions in Osaka Castle

1. Osaka Castle Museum

Osaka Castle Museum, alias Osaka Castle Main Tower, is located in the center of Osaka Castle. The tower is the landmark of the whole Osaka and is listed as an important cultural heritage of Japan. The castle is mainly in white, and the roof is green tiled. Besides, abundant gold ornaments are decorated in eaves and roofs.

The castle has eight floors and is about 55 meters (180 feet) high, the sixth of which is off-limits. The first floor is the entrance of the tower, and there is a lift to the fifth floor. The second floor introduces the basic information about the tower and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and you can wear the samurai helmet and battle surcoat to take photos, which charges 500 yen. The third floor and fourth floor show the objects and paintings related to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and you are not allowed to take pictures. The fifth floor and seventh floor utilize some miniature models to play out the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his famous battles. The eighth floor is the observation deck that allows visitors to overlook the cityscapes of Osaka.

Beautiful Osaka Castle Museum

Stately Osaka Castle Museum

Tips:
1. The first floor offers luggage storage service, and each luggage is charged 100 yen.
2. The museum offers free audio guide service in English.
3. You can buy the ticket online in advance.

Opening Time
It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 and last entry is at 16:30. The opening time will be extended in some cases, like during cherry blossom season and in summer vacation.

Ticket: 600 yen. Children at and under 15 years old are charged none.

Miniature Models in Osaka Castle Museum

Cityscape of Osaka

2. Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden

The garden houses the majority of cherry trees of Osaka Castle. Besides, it offers a great viewing point of the stately Osaka Castle Main Tower.

Opening time and ticket: It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 from March to October, and from 9:00 to 16:30 from November to February. The ticket is 200 yen.

3. Toyokuni Shrine

The shrine is located to the south of Osaka Castle Museum, established under the order of Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) to worship Toyotomi Hideyoshi. You can see the huge statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in front the shrine. Besides, the shrine hosts some remains of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The Toyokuni Shrine

4. MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO

The building is located in front of Osaka Castle Museum and was established in 1931. It was once an army building with a European architectural style, and now is a commercial complex facility. It has three floors and you can watch the Osaka Castle Museum from the third floor outdoor restaurant. Besides, you can appreciate the magic show in its Illusion Museum and taste Japanese food.

5. Plum Grove

The Osaka Castel has the biggest plum grove in Osaka, containing more than 1,000 plum trees of over 100 varieties. You can appreciate the white, pink, red, and yellow plum flowers from January to March. The best time to appreciate the plum flowers is late February since most varieties of plum trees bloom at this time.

How to Tour around in Osaka Castle Park

Since the Osaka Castel Park is large, several transport tools are provided to save time and energy for visitors.

1. Boat

You can take a boat to cruise on Osaka Castle Moat. The boat is available at Osakajo Gozabune Pier, and about 3,000 pieces of gold foil are used to make the ships look golden. During the cruise, you are able to watch the high wall of Osaka Castle closely and observe different images on these huge stones. Each boat travels for about 20 minutes on the moat, and each boat can accommodate 16 persons.

Running time:
It runs from 10: 00 to 16: 30, and the boat usually departs every 10 ~ 15 minutes, depending on the site situation.

Ticket: 1,500 yen.

A Boat Cruising in the Moat

Road Train in Osaka Castle

2. Train

Route: Morinomiya Station → Joe Terrace Osaka Information Center → Parking, wheelchair accessible only → Gokurakubashi Bridge Station → Toyokuni Shrine Station
Ticket: 400 yen.
Running time: 9:30～17:30
Notes:
*You can book the train ticket in advance.
*You need to change to an electric car at the Gokurakubashi Bridge Station.

3. Electric Car

Route: Bambacho Station → Otemae Station → Sakuramon Gate Station →Toyokuni Shrine Station → Jonan Bus Parking → Bambacho Station
Note: * The route may be changed during the cherry blossom season.
Ticket: 300 yen.
Running Time: 9:30～17:30.

Tips:
1. The combo ticket containing train and electric car is 1,000. Ticket holders can take them for unlimited times within that valid day.
2. When there are many tourists, the traffic service inside the scenic area will be stopped.
3. The running time may be changed based on the site situation.

Approximate Visit Time

About 2.5 hours.

Opening Time and Ticket

It is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and you can enter the Osaka Castle for free. However, some internal attractions request a ticket.

How to Get to Osaka Castle

1. Take the JR Osaka Loop Line, and get off at Osaka Castel Park Station or Morinomiya Station.
2. Take the Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line Line, and get off at Osaka Business Park Station, then come out from Exit 1. Or you can get off at Morinomiya Station, then come out from Exit 3-B.
3. Take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, and get off at Tanimachi 4-chome Station, then come out from Exit 9. Or you can get off at Morinomiya Station, then come out from Exit 1.
4. Take the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, and get off at Tanimachi 4-chome Station, then come out from Exit 1-B. Or you can get off at Temmabashi Station, and come out from Exit 2.

Nearby Attractions

After visiting the landmark of Osaka, you can visit the Osaka Museum of History to learn more history of Osaka. Besides, you can walk to the Mint Museum to watch the process of minting coins.

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