The story and history of Osaka Castle, Japan

Among the attractions of Japan that attract millions of tourists every year are shrines, temples and castles; Osaka Castle, or “Osaka-jo” in Japanese, is one of the most famous and important historical buildings in Japan, which is nearly 450 years old and has a special place in the history of this country. Osaka Castle, with its five-story structure, is located in the Kansai district, the center of Osaka, and played an important role in unifying Japan during the 16th century samurai era. Participating in a tour of Japan accompanied by an expert Persian-speaking tour leader throughout the trip is a good opportunity to learn about the culture and tradition of Japan, especially Osaka Castle.

History of the construction of Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle was built in 1583 by the order of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who was one of the greatest commanders and feudal lords of the Sengoku era. Since when this building was built, Japan was going through a turbulent time, the castle was designed as a strong fortress to prevent possible attacks and what it brought was the unity of Japan and temporary peace in the country! After Hideyoshi’s death and with the rise of Tokugawa Hidetada, Osaka Castle underwent many changes and conflicts, and unfortunately, due to the siege in World War II, many of its original structures were destroyed and needed to be rebuilt; Until in the 1950s, Osaka Castle was recognized as a “Historic Site” by the Japanese government and major renovations were carried out.

History of Osaka Castle; From construction to renovations

As we mentioned, Osaka Castle has been destroyed and rebuilt several times during different centuries. After the main tower of the castle was destroyed by lightning and fire in 1665, it stood for another 200 years, only to be destroyed again during the Bushen War! After these events, the last significant reconstruction of the castle was in 1928, and although it was damaged during the Second World War, the building that is still standing today is the legacy of that era and the last reconstruction. In the following, we will discuss the history of these renovations in more detail.

Toyotomi years: 1615-1586

Osaka Castle was built in 1586 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a symbol of power and grandeur and to establish unity in Japan, and thanks to the hard work of about 100,000 workers, the building was completed in just three years. With a five-story main tower decorated with gold and large statues of tigers and mythical creatures, this fort was designed to impress the enemies! After the death of Hideyoshi in 1597, the castle passed to his young son Toyotomi Hideyori, and one of the most important events that Osaka has experienced happened during this period! In 1614, the castle was attacked by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the victor of the greatest samurai battle in history and also the ruler of Japan; Although the number of Toyotomi’s forces was almost half of the enemy’s army, but due to the high strength of the castle and the clever defense of one of the samurai generals, this attack failed and they were able to defeat 200,000 samurai and save the castle from destruction.

Tokugawa years: 1615-1868

Unfortunately, in 1615, the main castle was once again attacked by the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and with the destruction of the castle, the powerful Toyotomi family was also destroyed. Osaka was rebuilt again in a different location in 1620 by its new heir, Tokugawa Hidetada; But again, he was not spared from the clutches of destruction and was burned by lightning. Finally, the castle was razed to the ground in 1868 by the anti-shogun forces of the Meiji Restoration, and what we see today from Osaka Castle was rebuilt in 1931.

Osaka castle architecture

Osaka Castle is one of the most prominent examples of Japanese architecture that represents the power, art and history of Japan during the civil wars.

Architecture and structure: The castle has a main tower (Tenshu) with a height of 55 meters, which is designed with beak-shaped multi-layered roofs covered with green tiles and gold decorations, which symbolize Hideyoshi’s power and wealth. It should be mentioned that this tower initially had five floors, but it was increased to eight floors during the subsequent renovations.

Defense walls and ditches: The walls of the castle were built by stacking huge stones cut without using mortar! These strong walls rose up to a height of 30 meters and together with deep and wide ditches, formed a very strong defense system. It is interesting to know that the moats around the castle not only provided protection from the attack of enemies, but also had a visual aspect.

Side gates and towers: Osaka Castle has several main and side gates. The lateral towers (Yagura), which are located at different angles of the castle, had both a defensive role and a surveillance role. These towers were often equipped with archers and firearms to protect the castle from attack.

Due to its tumultuous history and magnificent design, Osaka Castle is not only a national symbol of Japan, but also one of the jewels of traditional Japanese architecture.

Access and visiting hours of Osaka Castle

Access by train: Osaka Castle is surrounded by five different train stations, but the best access is via Morinomiya and Osakajukuen stations. These stations allow visitors to walk through the beautiful gardens of the park to the castle. Our recommendation is to spend two to three hours exploring the castle and its grounds and immerse yourself in Japanese history.

Visiting hours: Osaka Castle is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and entrance to the main castle tower requires a fee.

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Recommended activities at Osaka Castle

• Visiting the main castle tower: The main tower of Osaka Castle has a museum with historical artifacts related to the castle and a platform for viewing the panoramic view of Osaka.
• Tour Nishinomaru Garden: This beautiful garden is a dreamy place to stroll, especially in spring with its famous cherry blossoms.
• Visit Japan’s Important Cultural Assets: Osaka Castle has thirteen structures that are recognized as Japan’s Important Cultural Assets!
• Relax at Osaka Castle Park: The vast green space surrounding the castle is a peaceful retreat with walking trails. This park is an ideal place for picnics and walks, especially during the cherry blossom season.
• Attend events: Osaka Castle Park hosts various seasonal events, festivals, and concerts that give you a clear picture of Japanese culture and tradition.
• Visit the Toyotomi Hideyoshi Monument: This monument is located inside the grounds in honor of the main builder of the castle.
• Attend interactive exhibits: In the castle tower, there are interactive exhibits that introduce visitors to the history and restoration of Osaka Castle.
• Shopping for souvenirs and dining: By going to the shops and restaurants around the castle, you can get unique souvenirs and local Japanese food.

final word

Osaka Castle, with its impressive concrete restoration and surrounding green park, remains a living representation of Japanese history. This castle has been a symbol of peace and unity of Japan since the turbulent era of Toyotomi’s rule and Bushin war until today and it reflects the art of Japanese architecture. Whether you’re a history buff or a casual visitor, Osaka Castle is a must-see for anyone visiting Japan. Now that you have been with us until the end of this article, pick up the phone without wasting time and contact Setare Vanak Air Agency, which is the direct operator of Japan tours, so that our experienced experts can prepare your trip to this ancient country.

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