Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Castle Park covers an area of 105.6 hectares surrounding the Main Tower of Osaka-jo Castle, the original of which Hideyoshi Toyotomi completed in 1583. The park contains several historic buildings such as the Main Tower of Osaka-jo Castle, several yagura (turrets), and Toyokuni-jinja Shrine. Other attractions the park boasts include gardens such as the moat-enclosed Nishinomaru garden and the plum grove; event venues such as Osaka-jo Hall, baseball fields, and an open-air concert hall; and complex facilities such as Miraiza Osaka-Jo and Jo-Terrace Osaka. Being a scenic spot for cherry blossoms and a venue for all sorts of events, Osaka Castle Park is a favorite recreation spot for Osakans.

The symbol of Osaka, embellished with Hideoyoshi's favorite designs
Standing 55 meters high, the Main Tower, the symbol of Osaka, is a five-tier, eight-story tower dominating the center of the park. The observatory on the eighth floor commands a panoramic view of Osaka. The Hideyoshi-built Osaka-jo Castle fell in the 1615 Summer Siege of Osaka. The second Tokugawa Shogun, Hidetada, reconstructed castle buildings including the Main Tower, which was destroyed again in a 1665 lightning strike. After 266 years without a Main Tower, the present one was completed in 1931 thanks to donations from citizens of Osaka. The tower is embellished with designs of golden shachihoko (dolphin-like fish) and fusetora (a tiger watching its prey), loved by Hideyoshi.

Sense the history of Osaka in Nishinomaru garden, a scenic spot for cherry blossoms
The Nishinomaru garden sits just to the west of the Main Tower and is a scenic spot for cherry blossoms. In fact, it ranks as one of the 100 best sakura viewing points in Japan. This garden area of 65,000 square meters contains about 300 cherry trees, some of which include Someiyoshino (Prunus yedoensis) and weeping cherry trees. In the Osaka Geihinkan at the back of the garden you'll find a replica of the Golden Teahouse built at the order of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and visitors are allowed to take pictures of it. Another tea house, this one in the north-east of the garden, Hosho-an. This one was donated by Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Panasonic. In addition to the tea house Hosho-an, which was donated by Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Panasonic, you'll also come across Important Cultural Properties in the park including Sengan yagura, Inui yagura, and Ensho-gura (gunpowder storehouse), that carry the history of Osaka.

Enjoy a leisurely meal while gazing at the Main Tower, and experience ninja culture at Miraiza Osaka-Jo
Meeting the needs of visitors who want to dine near Osaka-jo Castle is Miraiza Osaka-Jo. Dating back to 1931 and situated in Honmaru Hiroba in front of the Main Tower, this complex was once the former Fourth Division Military Headquarters. Now, though, it houses restaurants and cafes where you can relax and enjoy a meal on the terrace with the Main Tower in view. Ninja and samurai fans won't want to miss the basement floor, where you can dress up in a samurai or ninja outfit and learn how to swordfight the way you seen on stage and screen. It’s an experience not to miss.