Osaka Castle, Osaka (must see)
The Osaka Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Japan. The castle functions as a museum and a popular tourist attraction.
Construction of the original castle began in 1583. It was modeled after the headquarters of feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle. Built by samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the castle was designed to have a five-story tower with three additional underground stories. It was completed in 1597.
After his death, the castle passed to Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori. He ruled over the castle until it fell to the Tokugawa clan in 1620. The original building burned to the ground, and Hideyori committed seppuku, a form of ritual suicide.
Reconstruction of the castle included the main tower with five external and eight internal stories. The walls, built in 1620, are still standing, but the remainder of the castle burned when lightning struck the gunpowder warehouse. What remained fell into disrepair and was neglected through the early 19th century.
The castle was fully repaired in 1843 but only lasted 25 years, until it burned again. The Meiji government turned the remainder of the building into an army arsenal where guns and ammunition were manufactured.
Osaka Castle was one of the world's largest military armories during World War II when American bombs destroyed 90 percent of the military equipment.
The castle was restored between 1995 and 1997. It was rebuilt to resemble the original castle from the exterior as much as possible. It is surrounded by inner and outer moats with four water-filled sections that represent the cardinal directions.
The castle grounds contain 13 structures that are culturally significant to Japan. Among these are, the Ote-mon Gate, the Rokuban-yagura Turret, the Kinmeisui Well, Kinzo Storehouse, and the Enshogura Gunpowder Magazine.
Construction of the original castle began in 1583. It was modeled after the headquarters of feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle. Built by samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the castle was designed to have a five-story tower with three additional underground stories. It was completed in 1597.
After his death, the castle passed to Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori. He ruled over the castle until it fell to the Tokugawa clan in 1620. The original building burned to the ground, and Hideyori committed seppuku, a form of ritual suicide.
Reconstruction of the castle included the main tower with five external and eight internal stories. The walls, built in 1620, are still standing, but the remainder of the castle burned when lightning struck the gunpowder warehouse. What remained fell into disrepair and was neglected through the early 19th century.
The castle was fully repaired in 1843 but only lasted 25 years, until it burned again. The Meiji government turned the remainder of the building into an army arsenal where guns and ammunition were manufactured.
Osaka Castle was one of the world's largest military armories during World War II when American bombs destroyed 90 percent of the military equipment.
The castle was restored between 1995 and 1997. It was rebuilt to resemble the original castle from the exterior as much as possible. It is surrounded by inner and outer moats with four water-filled sections that represent the cardinal directions.
The castle grounds contain 13 structures that are culturally significant to Japan. Among these are, the Ote-mon Gate, the Rokuban-yagura Turret, the Kinmeisui Well, Kinzo Storehouse, and the Enshogura Gunpowder Magazine.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Osaka. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Osaka Castle on Map
Sight Name: Osaka Castle
Sight Location: Osaka, Japan (See walking tours in Osaka)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Osaka, Japan (See walking tours in Osaka)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Osaka, Japan
Create Your Own Walk in Osaka
Creating your own self-guided walk in Osaka is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tennoji Shrines and Temples Walking Tour
Osaka is Japan鈥檚 third largest city. It is therefore not at all surprising to find within its boundaries many religious sites. Tennoji, a district of Osaka steeped in cultural and historical significance, is particularly rich in terms of beautiful temples and shrines.
Ikukunitama Shrine, nestled amidst the city's clamor, is a dedication to the deity Ikukunitama-no-mikoto, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Ikukunitama Shrine, nestled amidst the city's clamor, is a dedication to the deity Ikukunitama-no-mikoto, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Osaka Introduction Walking Tour
Osaka is the third largest city and second largest metropolitan area in Japan. The city has a long history that dates to the earliest days of Japan. In fact, it is thought that the area was the location where the first inhabitants of the island settled. Archaeological evidence shows there were settlers in the area more than 2,000 years ago.
The beginning of the third century brought many more... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
The beginning of the third century brought many more... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Osaka Shopping and Dining Walking Tour
As well as being an exciting Western-style city full of cool entertainment and cultural attractions, Osaka is a great place for shopping. The appealing range of shopping venues here includes covered arcades, malls, thoroughfares, and more. Let's take a closer look at some of these locations.
Shinsaibashi Shopping Street is a bustling retail district renowned for its upscale stores and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Shinsaibashi Shopping Street is a bustling retail district renowned for its upscale stores and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Osaka Castle Park Walking Tour
Sprawling on the south bank of the 艑kawa (Yodo) River, Osaka Castle Park occupies a vast territory in the heart of Osaka. The second largest park in the city, it covers nearly two square kilometers with lots of greenery, sports and other facilities.
Apart from being an urban public venue, the area is also a historical site, dating back more than half a millennium. Back in 1496, during the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Apart from being an urban public venue, the area is also a historical site, dating back more than half a millennium. Back in 1496, during the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles