Do you gaze at the building in front of you and notice that time gets stopped? This is what you get at Osaka Castle. This historic building of the 16 th century continues to amaze visitors with its size and beauty. Whether going alone, with family, or on a romantic date, it is a must-visit destination in Japan.
However, in the absence of a plan, most go around missing the best things on the inside.
The History Behind Those Ancient Walls of Osaka Castle
The Osaka Castle was built by a famous warlord named Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583, and he was going to build the greatest castle in Japan, so that he could get the power to rule the country, and that building required thousands of laborers and the largest stones to build that castle.
The castle has undergone several demolitions and constructions throughout the centuries. It suffered a good beating in the Siege of Osaka in 1615 and was subsequently hit by lightning. The one that you are viewing now was rebuilt in 1931 and had a renovation of huge proportions in 1997. A detailed museum inside takes you through the history and construction of Osaka Castle, the life of Hideyoshi, and the wars that led to the formation of modern Japan.
It is actually one of the best-curated museums of the Osaka Castle in the country. Time spent indoors will require a minimum of 90 minutes on your part for your history lovers. In case you like going back in time in a well-preserved space, then you are going to enjoy the things to do in Osaka beyond the castle.
The Ticket, Entry Fee, and Opening Hours
This castle costs 600 yen for the main tower (Tenshukaku) for adults, and the fee for children under 15 is free entry. Get the tickets for the castle in advance to avoid the long lines at the gate, especially on the weekends and during cherry blossom season.
And the opening hours are normally between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with the last entry time being 4:30 PM. It’s open all year, but it does close on particular dates, like in late December and early January, so always confirm before you are ready to go. Tourists who enjoy the skyscraper vistas invariably combine this with the Harukas 300 Observatory tickets to have a complete Osaka day experience.
The Activities of Osaka Castle Park
Nishinomaru Garden and a big public park, completely free, surround the castle itself. The following are what you should not miss:
- The inner and outer moats are the best sides to walk, because those sides are stunning.
- The Nishinomaru Garden is also a better place to visit, and there is a small entry fee; it looks more amazing during the spring season, while cherry blossoms bloom.
- Scaling the eight stories of the main tower to the observation deck.
Touring Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass later to have a totally different Osaka experience. The park is huge, and comfortable shoes and a day are essential.
Suggestion Before You Visit
Some prior planning will go a long way at Osaka Castle. Some pointers to remember:
- Enter in the morning during working days – in the mornings, especially, there is not so much traffic.
- It is better to get the booking in advance cause tickets usually sell quickly during cherry blossom blooms.
- There is a lift inside the Osaka Castle, but using the stairs is more fun because you can enjoy each floor along the way.
- The main tower is the only tower you can get in and out of, so check out all there is to see before you go.
Bring some yen in cash since some smaller vendors in the park don’t accept cards
Places to Visit Around the Castle
There are many other tourist sites in Osaka other than the castle. Dotonbori is just a metro stop, full of street food and neon lights. The ideal place for a food crawl is Kuromon Ichiba Market.
And in case you are here with children, or you need an entire theme park day, the Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass is just in the city. The Osaka Museum of History is right next to the castle, and for all the cultural museum lovers visiting Osaka, the museum contains an exhibit of the ancient history of Osaka.