Osaka Castle is a stunningly impressive monument to feudal Japan and a popular tourist attraction in Osaka, Japan. With ancient walls, moats, and a beautiful garden, it is an iconic piece of Japanese culture and a must-see destination for anyone visiting the area.
History
Built in 1583, Osaka Castle was initially constructed by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537 – 1598). His dream was thwarted when Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Toyotomi forces in the Battle of Sekigahara. Ieyasu demolished the pre-existing fort and constructed a 5-story castle in its place in 1583. It was several times expanded and redeveloped in response to the rise of weapons technology, and it stayed in Tokugawa family control until 1868. It was then damaged by bombardment by the French navy in 1868 and fell into disrepair until its restoration in 1995.
Architecture
Osaka Castle consists of a series of central five-story donjon (keep), turret gates, turrets, inner and outer moats, stone walls, water-filled paddies and an intricate garden replete with pine trees, plum trees and cherry blossom trees. The innermost structure is the six-story main keep, which consists of 16 rooms. One of the more distinctive features of Osaka Castle is the walls; they are coated in white plaster coated with black tiles and encircle the inner compound.
Attractions
The inner grounds of Osaka Castle provide a variety of attractions which visitors can explore. There is the Osaka Castle Museum, which gives visitors a peek into the history of the castle and the city of Osaka, with artifacts from the period such as suits of armor, swords, and teapots. In addition, the Honmaru Goten has around 3,000 tiles with pictures of various animals, flowers and scenery, as well as a number of gardens that are free for visitors to view.
The castle also has several lookout points offering amazing views of downtown Osaka including places such as the Tower Ninomaru, the Otemon Gate, and the Omotemon Gate. There are also several shops in Osaka Castle selling local specialties, and the Ote-michi Street Parade is held here once a year to commemorate the battle of Osaka Castle once fought between the warlords Toyotomi and Tokugawa.
Accessibilities
The complexity of the grounds and buildings can make it confusing to navigate. Happily, there are two main gates that lead to the inner compound and two additional normal gates, as well as a number of smaller gates, allowing visitors to bypass the innermost areas of the compound.
The two main gates are the Otemon Gate, built in 1620 and the Omotemon Gate, built in 1615. These two gates, along with the two normal gates lead to the inner compound of the castle. All four of these are open daily, from 8:45am to 5pm.
Additionally, there is a number of nearby Train and subway stations that can be easily accessed. The nearest stations are Tanimachi-4-chome Station, Morinomiya Station, and Osakajokoen Station, which are all connected to the castle by bus routes or short walks.
Osaka Castle is an iconic site in Japan and a must-see for anyone visiting the area. With its history and intricate architecture, it is sure to provide visitors with a plethora of unforgettable experiences. Whether you want to enjoy the view from the multiple lookouts, explore the complex, or learn more about Japanese history, Osaka Castle is sure to impress.
