Osaka Castle- Japan's famous building

Osaka Castle is also famous to some for its incredibly well-built stone wall, which is impressive
in its sheer size, with an estimated 1 million large stones (up to 12kg) having been used in its
construction. The moat walls stand at up to 20 metres tall and 90 metres wide. One of the most
fascinating features of Japanese culture is the sheer breadth of its rich history – across the
country there are thousands of shrines, temples and castles dating back literally hundreds of
years, each with an interesting story to tell. Year-round, travellers from within Japan and
abroad make pilgrimages to many of these cultural landmarks to either pay respects, learn
about Japanese history, or merely appreciate the stunningly intricate architecture for which
Japan is globally renowned. Osaka Castle, or “Osaka-jo” in Japanese, is certainly one of the
most famous landmarks in Japan, and for good reason. This five-story castle is one of the
most visually spectacular creations in the country, with a history that dates back almost 450
years! As history tends to prove, peace did not last forever, and numerous wars broke out over
the coming centuries. Osaka Castle was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, and not always
by war – in 1665 the main castle tower was in fact destroyed by fire as a result of a lightning
storm. After this period the castle stood for another 200 years, before again being destroyed
during the Boshin War. The most recent (and hopefully permanent) iteration of Osaka Castle
was reconstructed in 1928, and while it did suffer some minor damage during World War II,
the main structure lived on, and after being recognised as a “Historic Site” by the Japanese
Government in the 1950s the castle lives on to this day. The current Osaka Castle is a
beautiful testament to traditional Japanese architecture, from the subtle balance of colour to
the delicate patterns and shapes that adorn each level.

Certainly the best views of Osaka Castle can be seen from the parks area, with the structure
itself towering over the stunning natural landscape which envelops it. It is even possible to
take a short boat ride around the surrounding moat! Osaka Castle is also famous to some for
its incredibly well-built stone wall, which is impressive in its sheer size, with an estimated
500,000 to 1 million large stones (up to 12kg) having been used in its construction. The moat
walls stand at up to 20 metres tall and 90 metres wide.

Osaka Castle is surrounded by five different train stations.Coming from either station affords
visitors a unique pathway towards the castle through the gardens, and for curious visitors it’s
certainly worth arriving by one and departing by the other. It is highly recommended to
allocate at least two to three hours at Osaka Castle, which will allow a decent amount of time
to really soak in the scenery, from the man-made to the natural.For first-time visitors to the
Kansai region of Japan, Osaka Castle is an absolute must-see destination. It is a perfect half-
day trip where one can appreciate both serene nature, in the many areas filled with beautiful
trees, and marvel at the rich and intriguing history of Osaka. As Hideyoshi would surely
appreciate, this experience is certainly worth its weight in gold!