Osaka Castle and Japan’s longest shopping street: A one-day tour of Osaka, Japan
Today’s tour will introduce you to Osaka Castle and Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, the longest shopping street in Japan. Osaka Castle can be reached in about 40 minutes by train from JR Shin-Osaka Station, where the Shinkansen stops. Details of the travel destinations are listed in the description, so don’t forget to subscribe and click the like button. We cross Gokurakubashi Bridge and head towards Osaka Castle. This moat was built to prevent enemies and animals from invading the area surrounding the castle. Nowadays, guided sightseeing boats operate. There are some very large stones piled up at the castle ruins. These stamps are proof that feudal lords and powerful families from around the country provided the stone materials for the construction of Osaka Castle. It is believed that the stone markings also helped to facilitate efficient management and placement. The stone near the Sakuramon Gate is 5.5m high. This is Osaka Castle. Although it appears to be a five-story building from the outside, it is actually eight stories tall inside, and you can enter the castle. This is the observation deck on the 8th floor of the castle. One of the features of this castle is that you can see the iconic buildings of Osaka. These are the flags of military commanders used during the Battle of Osaka. Lower-ranking soldiers wear light armor, emphasizing lightness and ease of movement. Samurai wore highly protective armor made of woven iron plates and leather, with family crests and decorations that emphasized their individuality and status. The generals and daimyo were equipped with new styles of armor and magnificent helmets, enhancing their presence on the battlefield. The Summer Siege of Osaka was a battle between 155,000 Tokugawa troops and 55,000 Toyotomi troops. These are replicas of ornaments from Osaka Castle. This Shachi tile is 2m 10cm tall. The popular experience of wearing a helmet costs 500 yen. The souvenir shop on the first floor is filled with lovely souvenirs that will make for lasting memories. Wow! I want these! These are family crest pin badges. One of my family crests is a plum blossom in a circle. Which family crest do you like? There are two Osaka Castle commemorative stamps inside the castle, so be sure to look for them. Leaving the castle, we headed towards ✖︎Toyokuni →○Hokoku Shrine, where there were stalls set up for the Taiko Festival. The highest temperature on this day was 36.4 ℃（97.52°F）. Because it’s hot, ice cream and cold drinks are popular. Oh, there is also an interesting shaved ice in the shape of Mount Fuji. This is a statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who built Osaka Castle. Tanabata decorations are an event held in July where wishes written on paper are hung on bamboo. Glass wind chimes, beautifully reflected on the floor, are a symbol of summer in Japan. At the entrance to the shrine, we spotted someone blowing a conch shell, which was once used as a signal for battle. Next, we will head to the longest shopping street in Japan, but on the way there we will introduce two highlights of Osaka Castle. This large gate looks like it’s made of iron, but in fact, it’s actually made of wood inside. The hinge is very large. Next, we’ll look through a hole in the castle wall and experience what it’s like to fight. The holes in the was of the Osaka Castle were made for the purpose of defending the castle, and were designed to allow guns and bows and arrows to attack enemies. The outer hole is small, making it difficult for enemy attacks to hit, while the inner hole is large, providing a wide field of view and making it easier to attack. When you look at Osaka Castle from the outside, you can see that the castle’s defenses are so strong that enemies at the time would have been less inclined to attack it. Exit from the Otemon Gate and walk 25 minutes to the southern end of Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. This shopping street has not yet been developed into a tourist destination; it is a shopping street for the everyday lives of Osaka residents. It’s the perfect place to experience the lives of Osaka residents. Prices in Japan have been rising steadily in recent years, but many restaurants in Osaka strive to offer cheap and delicious food. There is a leather shoe store. Gyudon restaurants and Gyoza no Osho are popular with locals because they serve food quickly and at low prices. It’s a long shopping street, so you have to cross the road. The shoe store is having a summer sale. I can’t believe the first glass of draft beer is only 100 yen（$0.68）! The vegetables and fruits are so cheap that I want to buy some to take home. This is a 100 yen shop called Can★Do. Wow! The set meals at this restaurant are also incredibly cheap. This is a restaurant that serves charcoal-grilled dried fish set meals. The food replicas are so realistic they look delicious. There are many hats that are good value for money at 1,900 yen（ ＄12.97 ）. Plates with Japanese paintings can also be used as decorative plates. There are stickers, cutely shaped erasers, and Anpanman goods. This English-style coffee shop serves cakes and afternoon tea. The pumpkin tart also looks delicious. Here are shops for locals, including a sweets shop, a Western restaurant, a capsule toy vending machine shop, and a bag shop, but tourists are also likely to enjoy them. Retro coffee shop is stylish and pretty. Kanji T-shirts are probably best sold in Osaka. This is a 24-hour discount supermarket called Super Tamade. Recently, Korean and Taiwanese restaurants have become more common in Japan. Baby goods store has a wide variety of yukatas for children. This shopping district is full of stores with truly unbelievably low prices. I can’t believe you can buy a hat for 1,000 yen （＄6.83）at this store. There are pharmacies and barber shops that give you an idea of the local lifestyle. The McDonald’s on the corner marks the end of the shopping street. I hope many good things happen to you today. See you again soon!
Join us on a vibrant tour of Osaka’s iconic spots!
Explore the historic Osaka Castle with its stunning views and rich history, then dive into the lively Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, Japan’s longest shopping arcade, filled with local food and unique shops.
Perfect for anyone wanting to experience Osaka’s culture and cuisine! Let’s discover the charm of Osaka together!
🏯Osaka Castle
1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002
🌏https://maps.app.goo.gl/LM8kxrVy9j61GeTK6
🔗https://www.osakacastle.net
⛩️Hokoku Shrine
2-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002
🌏https://maps.app.goo.gl/qBaVyh6o4Ev2bwhE7
🔗https://www.osaka-hokokujinja.org
🛍️Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street
Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041
🌏https://maps.app.goo.gl/iUmnH2ryyewh7H6z6
🔗https://www.tenjin123.com（Only Japanese language）
🛍️South end of Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street
1 Chome-11-1 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041
🌏https://maps.app.goo.gl/ixx8MBbhj6UvqDSu7
🔗https://osaka-shotengai-info.com/ss/tenjinbashiichome/
00:00 introduction
00:25 Osaka Castle
04:00 Toyokuni Shrine
05:55 Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
⭐️⭐️⭐️Recommended sightseeing spots in Osaka
🔗https://youtu.be/T7PBLL_35Aw?si=eqDAJVLwY7sLGECA
#OsakaTravel #OsakaCastle #Tenjinbashisuji #JapanTravel #TravelGuide #OsakaFood #TenjinbashisujiShoppingStreet #LocalExperience #TravelVlog #OsakaTourism
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