Osaka is located in the Kansai region of Honshu and just 2.5 hours by bullet train from Tokyo. Historically considered as the economic center of Japan, Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa, the first ever known Japan’s capital city.
In the middle of modern cityscape, Osaka castle stands in an expansive lawn covered park, which is a popular destination during spring season because of its cherry blossoms. The castle was originally built in 1586 by Toyotomi HIdeyoshi as a display of power and as a symbol of a new unified Japan after centuries of civil war.
In 1615, the original castle was attacked and destroyed by the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu, which brought an end to the powerful Toyotomi clan. Five years later, the new heir to the shogunate began to reconstruct and re-arm the Osaka Castle but in 1665, lightning struck the castle tower and burnt it down. It was only in 1931 when a concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. The castle roof features giant fusetora (or golden tigers) and shachi, (a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp), believed to protect the castle against fire.
In 1995, Osaka’s government approved a restoration project, with the intent of restoring the main tower to its Edo-era splendor. In 1997, restoration was completed and the castle became a concrete reproduction of the original, with a modern interior serving as a museum documenting its rich history.
Just 3 kilometers from Osaka Castle is one of Osaka’s most famous tourist destinations, Dotonbori. Dotonbori is a great place to experience Osakan street food and izakayas.
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