Osaka Castle

One of the most iconic places in Osaka is the Osaka Castle.Osaka Castle or Osakajo was constructed on the former site of Ishiyama Honganji Temple in 1583.Toyotomi Hideyoshi wanted the castle to become the center of the new unified Japan under his rule.

However, in 1615,years Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the casle and terminated Toyotomi's lineage. The castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in 1620s but the main castle was struck by lighting in 1665 as a result, Osaka Castle was burnt down.

Osaka Castle Park opened in 1931 and it covers an area of 106.7 hectares. It is now entirely modern on the inside and it houses an informative museum about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the castle's history.

This miniatures so freaking long wish I could have take a proper video

I'm a sucker for miniatures

A minimal fee of 600 yen is collected before entering the castle and I must say that it's worth it. There were 8 floors and taking photos of the original relics donated by some prominent people were not allowed. DO NOT TRY. There are guards there looking every now and then to make sure photos were not taken. Osaka Castle is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm( entrance until 4:30pm) but better check out their official website just to be sure.

I really want to go back to Osaka Castle during Spring because there's a special tour around the moat where sakura flowers would bloom.

This scene would be so beautiful during spring

Wanna be a warrior? Yes you can be one for photo ops only. 

Souvenirs you can get from Osaka Castle

The castle is a bit far from the train station so you might get lost along the way but tourists usually go there so find a foreigner and follow him/her. >,<

Osaka Castle 

Address:1-1 Osakajo,Chuo Ward, Osaka

Hours : 9:00 - 17:00

Closed : December 28 - January 1

Fees : 600 JPY

Directions

From Tokyo:
[Train] Tokyo Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line to Shin Osaka Station ( 2 hours 30 min) then Shin Osaka Station to Osaka-jo Koen Station via JR Osaka Station (13min).

From Osaka:
[Train] Tennoji to Osaka-jo-koen Station by JR Loop Line (18 min)
jnto.go.jp

Official website : http://www.osakacastle.net/