castle, Osaka

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Osaka Castle is Osaka's iconic landmark. Built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it was intended to be the center of a new unified Japan under the Toyotomi rule. The present structure is a 1931 concrete reconstruction of the original which was refurbished in 1997 with an elevator added. The elevator takes you up to the 5th floor from where you will walk up to the 8th floor where you can have a panoramic view of Osaka.
Inside the castle is a museum of the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's life and the history of the castle. An exhibition of samurai armous and weapons is also on display.

Osaka Castle is awsome, its the best thing to see in Osaka. The castle was refurbished after WWII and is absolutely georgeous. It is the largest wooden structure in the world. The castle is encompaed by a large park where the locals do things that people do in city parks but they also camp out there. It was really strange to me to see people camping out in the middle of a city park in a huge city but I guess there aren't a lot of places to go.

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Osaka castle is the exterior reconstruction of a Heian period castle, with the air-conditioned interior of a museum. You'll learn more about the history of the castle (who lived in it etc), as well as view the art pieces of that era. Not much actually, if you're going for the authentic feel, because once you're inside, it's just like any other building.

Opening Hrs: 9.30am-5pm Cost 600 yen, but you get in free if you have the Osaka Unlimited pass.

Take the subway to Tanimachi4-chome (T25) ’J’¬Žl’š–Ú, and once you exit from the station area, there are signs pointing to the direction of the castle. It's walkable from the osaka museum of history.

Osaka Castle is situated in a large park and is really impressive. A totally different from any european-style castle but still you notice this is quite a fort. You have to pass several walls and gates before you reach the grounds of the castle itself.

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When I went to Osaka Castle, there were dance teams doing energetic dances on a stage below the castle. It was very entertaining. The castle is fairy-tale white with gold trimmings. Very impressive on the outside. However, on the inside, it had lost all it's authenticity. You could forget you were in a castle and think you were in a narrow modern museum with tonnes of steps to climb. A little disappointing. However, it was cool to look at the old Samurai armour, and their samurai helmets with different designs. It was interesting to note how scary the armour would have looked to the village people back in the old days. Some used boar's hair for the face mask, and they looked like scary mythical beasts.

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Osaka Castle is a bigger tourist attraction if visting the city , it`s a true Japanese work of art and from the top you can get some great views of the city, when near the top. It`s quite well priced and would recomend giving it a look if in the city. hopefully i will get the chance to put some pictures on soon.

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Osaka-jo has a tumultuous history. Originally completed in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a result of the unification of Japan, it was destroyed by the armies of Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1615. Rebuilt by the same forces that destroyed it, it was destroyed again by the Tokugawa forces rather than letting it fall to the forces of the Meiji Restoration in 1868 (thanks Lonely Planet Japan 2003!). The castle standing today is a 1931 reconstruction of the original.

There are lots of interesting photos, items and minature models of the history of the castle and Osaka city inside the building. The climb up the stairs to the observation deck is steep but well worth it! The 360 degree views of Osaka are exceptional. Osaka is probably not the prettiest city in the world so do not expect jaw dropping views but the view is nice all the same (see attached photos) :) Admission is 500 yen.

Ah, Osaka-jo. THE symbol of Osaka. THE most visited tourist attraction in Japan (according to my good friends at the Osaka Tourist Board - I can only assume they've never heard of that little anthill known to the wise at Fuji).

You're expecting sarcasm I know. However, I'm sorry, but Osaka-jo is great! From a distance anyway. It looks beautiful and the surrounding park (Osaka-jo koen) is a great place to hang out during the spring, summer and early autumn (although during hanami it is overcrowded). We usually take a football or a frisbee and a few cans of chu-hi, great stuff.

The only disappointment is when you get close to the actual castle, which is when it's complete rebuild at the start of the 20th century becomes apparent - theres even a lift [that'd be elevator for my linguistically unaware readers in North America] attached to the side! The inside is also a complete waste of time, just a few dry displays and a not overly inspiring view of the business park.

That aside though, you can't visit Osaka and not take a trip to see the castle - during the day, to enjoy the park or at night, to see it eirily illuminated against the dark surrounding trees.