The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.
However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665, burnt down, and was not rebuilt during the feudal ages.
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. During the war it miraculously survived the city-wide air raids. Major repair works gave the castle new glamor in 1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility. It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former "western citadel", is a lawn garden with 600 cherry trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House and nice views of the castle tower from below. Unlike most of the rest of the castle grounds, the garden requires an admission fee.
The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The park is one of Osaka's most popular hanami spots during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in late March and/or early April.
Getting there and around
The recommended approach to Osaka Castle is through Otemon Gate at the park's southwestern corner. The closest station is Tanimachi Yonchome Station along the Tanimachi and Chuo subway lines.
The closest JR station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line, a 10 minute, 170 yen ride from JR Osaka Station.
How to get to and around Osaka
Hours and Fees
Castle Tower
Hours
9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30); extended hours on selected days
Closed
December 28 to January 1
Admission
600 yen Buy ticket online
Nishinomaru Garden
Hours
9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from November through February); open until 21:00 during the cherry blossom season.
Closed
Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday), Dec 28 to Jan 4
Admission
200 yen (350 yen during the extended hours of the cherry blossom season)
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Osaka
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Kaneyoshi RyokanA modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.View siteSponsored
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Top rated in Osaka
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Hotel 88 ShinsaibashiHotel 88 Shinsaibashi is an 8-minute walk from OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) and a 10-minute walk from Namba Station. Glico Man Sign is a 4-minute walk from the property. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Featuring modern d?cor, all rooms come with air conditioning and heating facilities, a flat-screen TV and pajamas. Private bathroom includes a bath, walk-in shower, hairdryer, toilet with an electronic bidet and free toiletries. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy billiards at the property. There is a drinks vending machine, and laundry service can be arranged. Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai shopping street are a 16-minute train ride away. Osaka Itami Airport is a 45-minute drive from Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female OnlyGuesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only features accommodation within 2.5 km of the centre of Osaka, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.1 km from Toyosaki Shrine. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen and luggage storage for guests. All units are fitted with a fridge, stovetop, a coffee machine, a kitchenware and kettle. All units have a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Catholic Osaka Umeda Church, Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha and Tomishima Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House YadomaruFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Guest House Yadomaru is set in Osaka, 500 metres from Tempozan Ferris Wheel and 3.1 km from Isoji Central Park. The air-conditioned accommodation is 3.2 km from Minato Kumin Centre. Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 6.1 km from the guest house and Hirao Park is 6.1 km away. Featuring a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Universal Studios Japan is 6.4 km from the guest house, while Chishima Park is 6.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 27 km from Guest House Yadomaru.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi3-star accommodation, HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi is located in central Osaka, 600 metres from Dotonbori River and the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, 700 metres from popular music and shopping district America Village. Conveniently located in the Chuo Ward, the hotel is situated 2.4 km from Shinsekai. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk with multi-lingual staff. Free WiFi is available at the hotel. Each air-conditioned room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and desk. Free toiletries and rain shower are provided in all rooms, while certain rooms feature a bathtub. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Traditional locations such as Shitennoji Temple and Kuromon Ichiba Market are within 2.5 km from the hotel. Osaka Itami Airport and Kansai International Airport are both less than a one-hour train ride from HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi.View on Booking.com -
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Citadines Namba OsakaCitadines Namba Osaka has a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 300 metres from Nipponbashi Catholic Church. All rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Each room is fitted with a kettle, while some rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a stovetop. At Citadines Namba Osaka the rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Citadines Namba Osaka include Nipponbashi Park, Komyo-ji Temple and Shinko-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Royal Classic OsakaBoasting a bar, Hotel Royal Classic Osaka is set in the centre of Osaka, 400 metres from Motomachinaka Park. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at Hotel Royal Classic Osaka. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Orange Street, Glico Man Sign and Naniwa Park. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from Hotel Royal Classic Osaka.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKAWell set in the centre of Osaka, HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA is within 500 metres of TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center and 400 metres of Stage Ku. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Shinsaibashi Station, Namba Shrine and Nipponbashi Monument. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi NorthLocated in the Chuo Ward district in Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Nipponbashi Monument, Zojugoi Yasuidoton Dobokukiko Monument, and Mitsutera Temple. The property is 2.3 km from the city centre and 500 metres from Stage Ku. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units include bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North include TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center, Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi WestAttractively situated in the Nishi Ward district of Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West is situated 600 metres from Namba Shrine, less than 1 km from Samuhara Shrine and a 10-minute walk from Wakoji Temple. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is 300 metres from Kokoni Sunaba Ariki Monument, and within 1.9 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Manpuku-ji Temple, Orange Street and Amida Pond. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL SAILSLocated in Osaka and with Tempozan Ferris Wheel reachable within 500 metres, HOTEL SAILS provides a restaurant, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 5.8 km away and Universal Studios Japan is 6 km from the hotel. Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. At HOTEL SAILS each room comes with bed linen and towels. Buffet and American breakfast options are available daily at the accommodation. Isoji Central Park is 2.8 km from HOTEL SAILS, while Minato Kumin Centre is 2.8 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 26 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Osaka
Top rated in Osaka
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Japanese Weaving Experience in Osaka"Saori weaving" without a role model. You can enjoy the weave of your choice.View on Klook -
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Osaka Castle & Umeda Sky Building & Tonbori River Cruise Day TourVisit famous Osaka's hotspots in one dayView on Klook -
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Osaka Nighttime Guided Food TourExplore local neighborhoods many visitors don’t get to seeView on Klook -
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Kendo Experience Tour In Osaka "SAMURAI TRIP"Enjoy a real samurai experience with a 2-hour class to learn Kendo, a Japanese martial art formView on Klook -
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Kimono Rental by Kimono Botan in OsakaMakes me feel better! Let's stroll around Osaka in your favorite kimonoView on Klook -
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World Heritage Shirakawago and Takayama Private Tour from NagoyaLearn about the history of Japanese traditional buildings at your leisure.View on Klook -
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Kyoto and Nara Private Car Charter with English Speaking GuideExplore Kyoto and Nara city on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto!View on Klook -
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Japanese Ceramics DIY Private Workshop in OsakaA pottery workshop in Osaka with an English, Spanish and Catalan speaking potterView on Klook -
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Ninja Workshop and Costume Rental Experience in OsakaBecome a ninja for a day on this 1 hour ninja workshop and costume rental experience in OsakaView on Klook -
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Osaka Highlights Private Day TourVisit the best spots in Osaka, including the famous Osaka Castle and Dotonbori Glico Spot, in just one day!View on Klook
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