🏯 Magnificent Osaka Castle: A Complete Guide to the Site Where Japanese History Was Made

Hello travelers planning a trip to Osaka! While Osaka offers countless fascinating sights, Osaka Castle (Ōsaka-jō) is a must-see landmark and the city’s foremost symbol.

Based on my recent visit, I’ll share the castle’s allure and practical tips for your trip!

🏰 What is Osaka Castle Like?

The majestic structure we envision when we hear “Osaka Castle” is called the Tenshukaku (Castle Tower).

Osaka Castle was originally constructed by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a 16th-century warlord who dreamed of unifying Japan. The castle is surrounded by deep, double moats and colossal stone walls to defend it, an impressive sight that highlights its massive scale.

Today, the castle tower stands at the center of a vast public park, creating an urban oasis where history and nature harmoniously coexist.

📌 Essential Osaka Castle Trivia

• Home to Japan’s Tallest Stone Walls! Their sheer height is truly breathtaking.
• The castle is surrounded by a double moat system (Outer Moat and Inner Moat). You can even enjoy a pleasant cruise around the Inner Moat on a small boat!

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🚶‍♀️ How to Get to Osaka Castle

While there are several nearby stations, keep in mind that it’s a bit of a walk—about 15 minutes—from any station to the Tenshukaku!

Recommended Station

1. JR Osakajō-Kōen Station

Train Line: JR Loop Line
Recommended For… Easiest route, as the station is named after the castle.

2. JR Morinomiya Station

Train Line: JR Loop Line
Recommended For… You can catch a cute, retro train-like vehicle (for a fee) from the plaza to near the Tenshukaku.

3. Tanimachi 4-chome Station

Train Line: Osaka Metro (Subway)
Recommended For… Recommended if you also plan to visit the Osaka Museum of History.

I chose to start my journey from JR Osakajō-Kōen Station this time. You can easily get to the main tower (Tenshukaku) without getting lost, as there are clear signboards directing the way.

☕ Strolling Around the Moat

As you exit the station, you’ll spot the Tenshukaku in the distance!

I spotted a Starbucks! I love coffee. I grabbed a coffee and continued my pleasant walk toward the castle.

The walk to the castle is lovely; it was especially vibrant during the autumn foliage season. The area around the moat is also a popular jogging course.

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🎟️ Tenshukaku Admission & Crowd-Beating Tips

I visited on a Sunday during a November three-day weekend—likely one of the busiest days of the year.

💡 Crowding Advice

• 【Crucial Tip】Book Tickets in Advance!
  • The on-site ticket window had a very long line. Buying your tickets online beforehand allows you to skip the queue and enter smoothly.
  • If you plan to explore more of Osaka, using the Osaka Amazing Pass is both convenient and cost-effective.
• Go in the Morning!
  • When I left the castle around 11:00 AM, a huge line had formed for entry. On busy days, try to visit in the early morning hours.

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🏛️ Tenshukaku and Toyotomi Ishigaki-kan: A Journey Through History

After a leisurely walk from the station, I reached the Tenshukaku entrance about an hour after my arrival.

1. The Tenshukaku (Castle Tower)

The interior of the Tenshukaku functions as a museum:

• 1st Floor: Souvenir Shop
• Floors 2 to 5 and 7: Museum Exhibits (Focusing on the history of Osaka Castle)
• 8th Floor: Observation Deck

⚠️ Beware of the Elevator Line!

The elevator up to the 7th-floor observation deck gets extremely crowded. Since only one elevator is effectively operating for general use, the wait can be huge!

To avoid the line, I took the stairs, which was quite a workout!

【Recommended Route】 If the line is short, take the elevator up to the observation deck, and then take the stairs down while viewing the exhibits.

From the observation deck, you get a panoramic view of the Osaka city skyline. While the tower looks immense from the outside, the viewing space on top felt a bit narrower than expected!

2. 【My Top Pick!】 The Toyotomi Ishigaki-kan (Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum)

This new museum, opened in April 2025, is right next to the Tenshukaku. Since it was included in the main tower ticket, I decided to go.

I have to be honest: I personally found the Toyotomi Ishigaki-kan far more fascinating than the Castle Tower itself!

Why It’s so Fascinating: Common Knowledge Overturned!

As most Japanese people know, it is “common knowledge” that Osaka Castle was built by the great samurai hero, Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

However, visiting this museum reveals a shocking historical truth:

The Osaka Castle we see today was actually rebuilt by Ieyasu Tokugawa, who buried all of Toyotomi’s original stone walls and structures underground and then covered them with earth to build his new castle on top!

Recent geological surveys discovered the actual stone walls built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi at a depth of 10 meters (about 33 feet).

After watching an informative theater presentation, you can quietly view the authentic stone walls from the Toyotomi era on the lower floor.

When I grasped this historical truth and stood before the actual stone walls, I truly felt the immense historical weight of this site.

“This is where the history of Japan was decided!”

“If Hideyoshi had won this battle, the capital of Japan might be Osaka, not Tokyo!”

Contemplating the Siege of Osaka (Ōsaka Natsu no Jin), the grand conflict that took place here, is an incredibly thrilling experience for any history buff!

Perhaps this profound feeling is something you only get when you have some knowledge of Japanese history. I’m not sure if visitors unfamiliar with Japan’s history will feel the exact same level of excitement, but I personally enjoyed this small museum immensely.o Jin), the grand conflict that took place here, is an incredibly thrilling experience for any history buff!

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🛍️ Lunch & Shopping

Near the castle is a tourist facility called Miraiza Osaka.

It features cafes, restaurants (which looked like good options for lunch), and shops full of fun souvenirs.

• Souvenirs: They sell many unique items that appeal to foreign tourists, like Ninja goods, replica Japanese swords (Katana), and masks inspired by popular anime.

Since the restaurants were quite crowded during the lunch hour, I bought food from a nearby convenience store and enjoyed a sunny picnic outside!

On my way back, I took a different route toward Morinomiya Station. I noticed the retro train-like vehicle running from the plaza near Morinomiya Station to the castle. It would be a fun way to arrive!

By the time I finished lunch, it was about 1:00 PM. I took my time, and the entire course—from Osakajo-Koen Station, through the castle, and back to Morinomiya Station—took about 4 hours.

A half-day is certainly enough time to fully enjoy Osaka Castle!