Osaka Castle is a symbolic landmark not only for people in Osaka, but also for those who live in the Kansai area.
Originally, Osaka Castle was built in 1583 by TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi was from Nagoya, but he started his government here in Osaka and encouraged commercial activities. So, his name remains very popular in Osaka, even now.

Osaka Castle is deeply related to the history during the Azuchi and Momoyama Age and at the beginning of the Edo Age.

If you walk to Osaka Castle from Tammabashi Station, you will arrive at the northwest corner of Osaka Castle. You will see an original corner tower on a stone wall. A wide moat, named "Nishi Sotobori", surrounds the castle.

Along "Nishi-Sotobori" Moat to the south, high stone walls continue to protect Osaka Castle. After a five minute walk from the northwest corner of Osaka Castle, you will arrive at the main gate of Osaka Castle, named "Ote-Mon" Gate. "Sengan" Tower and Ote-Mon Turret is on your left.

You can approach "Ote-Mon" Gate over an earth-paved bridge. The view of "Nishi-Sotobori" Moat and "Sengan" Tower is spectacular.

After passing through "Ote-Mon" Gate, you are inside of Osaka Castle. When you make a right turn, you are in "Ninomaru" Bailey. "Ninomaru" Bailey is surrounding the main bailey, "Honmaru", across the inner moat.

Toyokuni Shrine is located to the south of "Ninomaru" Bailey. The shrine enshrines TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi. The statue of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi is displayed in front of the shrine.

At the north side of Toyokuni Shrine, the entrance of Inner Bailey, "Honmaru", is located. This gate is named "Sakura" Gate, meaning Cherry blossom gate.

After passing through "Sakura" Gate, you will see huge stones in front of you. These big stones were symbolic of the power of the lord of the castle.

After TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi died in 1598, his son, Hideyori, became the lord of Osaka Castle. He was just five years old when Hideyoshi died.
Tention state had been continued between TOKUGAWA and TOYOTOMI, since the death of Hideyoshi. In 1600, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu defeated ISHIDA Mitsunari, retainer of Hideyoshi. TOKUGAWA Ieyasu became "Shogun" and he opened his government, "Edo Bakufu" in Edo, now Tokyo, in east Japan.
Finally, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu and his son, Hidetada, defeated TOYOTOMI Hideyori in the siege of Osaka in 1615. The original Osaka Castle was destroyed by the siege.

TOKUGAWA Hidetada completely rebuilt Osaka Castle in 1629, after the ruin of the TOYOTOMI clan.
The purpose of rebuilding Osaka Castle was to display the power of TOKUGAWA and to make known to the people in Osaka that the era of the TOYOTOMI clan was completely finished.

The rebuilt castle tower of Osaka Castle was destroyed by fire caused by flash-to-ground in 1665.
Almost all buildings of Osaka Castle were destroyed by a battle at the end of the Edo Age in 1868.

The current main building of Osaka Castle is the third castle tower rebuilt in 1931. Currently, the main tower is an historical museum and many visitors come to the building.

To the north of the main building, a small stone monument is located at "Yamazato" Bailey.

This is the memorial monument of TOYOTOMI Hedeyori and his mother "YODO-dono", who died in 1615, when the original Osaka Castle was destroyed in the siege of Osaka.
The main building of Osaka Castle is very crowed, but few people are here.

Osaka Castle was one of the largest and firmest defensive structured castles in Japan. A wide moat and high stone walls are examples to demonstrate such a firm defensive structure of Osaka Castle.

Only one corner tower remains, but there used to be five corner towers on this side.
The view of the original castle should be very regal and impressive.

How to get there
You can access Osaka Castle from Temmabashi Station on a Keihan line and a Osaka Subway line, Osaka Business-park Station on a Osaka Subway line, OsakaJyo Koen station on a JR line and Morinomiya Station on a JR and Osaka subway lines.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Tekijyuku
Nakanoshima
Ruins of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace