OSAKA CASTLE

Osaka Castle was originally built in 1583 by the order of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, however the castle suffered several destructions throughout its history.  The current Osaka Castle was built in 1931 with the external appearance of the castle built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. In 1997 the Japanese Government designated the main tower as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

The steep walls which rise close to 30 meters high are made of huge blocks of stone that were transported to Osaka from quarries over 100 km away. The sheer height of the walls and the wide moats they rise above the surrounding plane to make for a grand sight that can be matched by no other castle in Japan. The dolphins on the roof, the ornamental roof tiles and reliefs carved in the shape of tigers are all gilded with gold.

Osaka Castle also features an observation deck at the top floor and a museum inside where you can find a large variety of historical materials and displays. Osaka Castle is illuminated after dark making an outstanding sight which can be seen from a great distance.

Osaka Castle - Important Cultural Properties

Even though the main tower of Osaka Castle is a recent reconstruction, there still remains thirteen key parts of the Osaka Castle complex in original condition that are so significant that the Japanese Government has designated them to be Important Cultural Properties. These are listed below.

Otemon Gate
Tamon Turret
Sengan Turret
Enshogura Gunpowder Magazine
Three sections of castle wall all located around Otemon Gate.

Sakura-mon (Gate) Osaka Castle

Sakuramon (Gate) is effectively the main gate to inner realm of Osaka Castle. It is located on the Southern side of the castle tower within the Inner Moat.

Inui-yagura (Turret) Osaka Castle

Inui-yagura turrent provided protection to the North Western side of Osaka Castle from its raised position on the land between the South Outer Moat and the Inner Moat.

Rokuban-yagura (Turret) Osaka Castle

Rokuban-yagura (Turret) provided protection to the Southern side of Osaka Castle with its raised position on the land between the South Outer Moat and the Inner Moat.

Ichiban-yagura (Turret) Osaka Castle

Ichiban-yagura provided protection to the South Eastern side of Osaka Castle from its raised position on the land between the Southern Outer Moat and the Inner Moat.

Kinmeisui Well and Roof Osaka Castle

Kinmeisui Well was the most important well in Osaka Castle. Kinmeisui Well was constructed in 1624 including the stone lining. The roof was added two years later. Kinmeisui Well was originally called Ogonsui (Golden Water) Well.

Kinzo Storehouse Osaka Castle

Built in 1751 the Kinzo Storehouse was used to store gold and silver coins. It was referred to as shin-gokinzo (new kinzo) as it replaced an earlier kinzo (moto-gokinzo).

Osaka Castle - Other Significant Sites

Higoishi Stone in Osaka Castle Wall

The Higoishi Stone is one of the massive stones used in the construction of one of the Osaka Castle Wall. The Higoishi Stone is the second largest in the castle with a surface area of 54.17 square metres. It is located at the Kyobashi-guchi entrance.

Takoishi Stone in Osaka Castle Wall

The Takoishi Stone is the largest stone in Osaka Castle with a surface area of 59.43 square metres and estimated weight of 108 tonnes. The Takoishi Stone forms part of the Sakuramon-masugata Square which is just inside the Sakuramon (Gate) and effectively the main entrance to Osaka Castle. The wall created by the stones including the Takoishi Stone provides a further level of protection to the Hommaru (Inner Bailey) of the castle. The wall was built in 1624 (Edo period) by Tadao Ikeda, a feudal lord of Okayama, who was placed in charge of this key part of Osaka Castle by the Tokugawa shogunate.

OSAKA CASTLE MAP

The whole of the Osaka Castle complex has been designated to be a Special National Historic Site.


Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi
Access: 15 min walk from Osakajo-koen Station (JR Osaka Loop Line)

Opening hours Osaka Castle Museum
(Located in the main tower)
9:00am – 5:00pm
(last entry at 4:30pm with extended hours in Spring and Summer)
Admission: 600yen

Cannon - Osaka Castle

Japanese garden Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle Pictures

Over 90 unique Osaka Castle pictures and pictures of Osaka Castle Park.