Osaka Castle - The Most Popular Tourist Attraction in Japan

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Osaka Castle is one of the iconic castles in Japan that was the center point for a new, unified glorious Japan. Let's take a look at this beautiful castle which has seen a turbulent past as well as risen like a phoenix from ashes, to witness a glorious Japanese future.

Attractions Worth a Visit at Osaka Castle

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. 1. Nishinomaru Garden: This lawn garden has 600 cherry trees, the former Osaka Guest House, a tea house and great views.

2. Hokoku Shrine: This shrine is thought to bring prosperity and is supposed to hold spiritual powers. 3. Kinzo Storehouse: It is the place used to store gold and silver coins within the castle.

4. Osaka Shudokan: This is a martial arts center where Kendo or Japanese sword fighting classes are held. 5. Osaka International Peace Center: Opened in 1991, it is a peace museum to exhibit materials related to the war and remember victims of Osaka Air Raids. 6. Osaka Jo Hall: It was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Osaka Castle.

Digging Into the Rich History of Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a military commander, who used the castle as his base and completed the military unification of the country.

The construction began in 1583 on the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which was destroyed 13 years ago by Oda Nobunaga.

Osaka castle was a symbol of prosperity for the city of Osaka that prospered as a city of merchants.

Hideyoshi died in the year 1598 and passed on the castle to his son Toyotomi Hideyori. Tokugawa Leyasu, a senior statesman under Hideyoshi, burnt down the castle and lead to the end of Toyotomi lineage.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. In 1620, Tokugawa Hidetada reconstructed the Osaka Castle. The main tower was elevated 5 stories on the outside and 8 stories on the inside.

The castle burned again after lighting lead to an explosion of the gunpowder in the warehouse.

It was only after 1843, the neglected castle was repaired after collecting money from the people of the region. Anti-bakufu imperial loyalists took over the castle in 1868 and much of it was burned out during the Meiji Restoration and related civil conflicts.

During World War II, 90% of the castle was destroyed on 14 th August 1945. The Osaka government approved the much needed restoration fund and the reconstruction began in 1995 and was completed to its former glory by 1997.

The central tower of the castle is 55 meters high. The observation deck on the 8 th floor gives a spectacular view of the Osaka city. Osaka Castle is open to the public and is the popular spot during festival seasons such as cherry blossom bloom.

The modern-day Osaka Castle looks just like it appears during the Edo period and is counted as one of the three great castles of Japan. The Osaka Castle today is converted into a modern museum that charts the life and achievements of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. Osaka Castle has one of the most picturesque views and is the striking historical landmark in the center of an urban landscape today.