Best of Osaka – Osaka Castle (大阪城天守閣)

Osaka Castle is the iconic landmark not only in Osaka but Japan overall. Although the castle was first built in 1583, it was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built after the previous building was destroyed by fire and wars multiple times. During the World War 2 it miraculously survived the city-wide air raids. Subsequently, major repair works gave the castle its new glamour in 1997.

We took the subway to the Osaka Castle and walked passed the castle gate into the huge garden of the castle ground. There were a lot of people just strolling around the park, as well as some street entertainers performing to please the crowds. We had fun watching 1 guy playing with his giant red balloon (see pictures below). Overall, the castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, stone walls and moats. We had to pay ¥600 for the castle entrance fee and did a walk through Osaka history from the various displays inside the castle. It was breezy up there at the top of the castle observatory deck and we had a good view of the Osaka city skyline. The best time to come here is during the Cherry Blossom season but since we had missed it, we still enjoyed ourselves by taking in the beautiful and serene scenery as it is. A definite must see in Osaka when you are here…

Have you been to Osaka? If yes, tell me your favourite place in Osaka.

The one and only Osaka Castle

From afar

Street entertainer

He squeezed himself into the balloon

Tadaa~!

View across the moat

Beautiful castle

Zoom-in to Osaka Castle

From another angle

From the front

Samurai~!

Miniature displays inside Osaka Castle

View from top of the castle

Beautiful City

View of Osaka City