The contrast between the castle and the cherry blossoms
represents one of the best portraits of Japanese spring.

The Osaka Castle was built in the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a well-known warlord who brought the whole country under his rule in the late 16th century.

It has been burned down in a series of battles in the 17th century, and reconstructed later. Once again it was destroyed by fire, its donjon only reduced to ashes this time, and was reconstructed at last early in the 20th century. Restoration was completed in 1997 and Osaka-jo has been returned to its former brilliant glory.

 

Osaka Castle viewed from Nishinomaru Garden

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous castles and is impressive with its massive stone walls, black and gold-leaf trim, and copper roof.

The central castle building has five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from sword-bearing attackers. Its eight-story donjon rises 39m (130 ft.), with an observation platform on the top floor offering bird's-eye views of the city.

 

Situating on a plot of land roughly one kilometer square, the castle is built on two raised platforms of landfill supported by sheer walls of cut rock, each overlooking a moat. The sheer height of the walls and the wide moats they rise above make for a grand sight that can be matched by no other castle in Japan.

 

The sheer height of the wall and the wide moat.

On display at its 1st to 7th floors are various weapons, armors and folk life items of those days. There is a view spot on the 8th floor. Especially, the tower’s eight roof dolphins and the ornamental roof tiles and reliefs carved in the shape of tigers, all of which are gilded with gold, are also of interest for its classic Japanese architecture.

 

A Golden Fish at top of Osaka Castle.

After the war, Osaka Castle in 1948 began a new era as a “historic site park”, and the Main Tower was reopened to the public as a museum that documents Toyotomi Hideyoshi's life and the history of the castle. The interior of the Main Tower has been enhanced to serve the public with a theater room, dioramas, models, many educational displays, and museum shops.

 

A miniature battlefield depicting ancient Japanese
Warriors engaged in battle, in Osaka Castle's museum.

As a major catalyst in the unification of Japan in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Osaka Castle has been designated as Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government. Today, Osaka Castle is one of the most accessible and interesting castles in Japan.

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