Osaka’s iconic castle and its fantastic park

Osaka Castle is one of Osaka’s top tourist destinations.
The castle tower has an amazing panoramic view of the city it sits above and all kinds of fun are waiting for you in the surrounding park!
Whether you are a first time visitor to Osaka or here for a repeat visit… Even if you’re not any good at history or maybe you don’t know much about Osaka… You can absolutely enjoy a day in the park♪

■How to get to Osaka Castle Park

Out of all the nearby stations, there is one with “Osaka Castle” in its name, the Ōsakajō-kōen Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.
For that reason, a lot of people think this station is the closest, but Morinomiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line and Osaka Metro is actually one of the closest stations.
Also, Kyobashi Station on the Osaka Loop Line is pretty close too.
These three stations are located on the east side of Osaka Castle Park, but if you are on the west side, Tanimachi 4-chome Station or Temmabashi Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line are more convenient.
You can also walk from Osaka Business Park Station on the Osaka Metro and Ōsakajō-kitazume Station on the JR Tōzai Line.
But keep in mind, since the main castle tower is located in the center of the park, it will take you about 20 minutes to walk there, no matter which station you use.
In case there are other places you want to go or things you want to see nearby, it’s a good idea to choose a station that is close or choose a route depending on your other plans.

■The modern castle tower

The current castle tower is actually the third version of the main castle building. It was most recently rebuilt in 1931 and is a modern building made of reinforced concrete, which was still quite rare at the time it was built.
However, many of the turrets, walls, stone walls, gates, and other structures that you’ll see in the park today do date back to the Tokugawa period (1603–1867).

There are 13 structures in the park that have survived numerous disasters and fires, which are now designated as important cultural properties.
Inside the castle tower is a museum with many priceless items on display that tell the history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the leader of the country at the end of the Sengoku period (1467–1615), history from this time period, and Osaka Castle itself.
Exhibits are routinely changed so you can see something new every time you visit.
Some of the turrets are open to the public for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance to see inside if you are at the castle during one of the open dates. These dates tend to fall on weekends and holidays.
From the castle tower observation deck, which is 50 meters above ground, you can take in a panoramic view of the castle’s surrounding park, the city, and beyond.

You can see skyscrapers and mountains in the distance. And the museum hours are extended during certain times of year, so you can almost always catch the sunset. Even if history isn’t your thing, it’s worth going inside the castle to take in the view!

■Western-style architecture in Miraiza Osaka-Jo

When you visit the castle tower, you’ll notice this large brick building nearby. That’s MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO.
The facade might remind you of something you’d expect to see in medieval Europe, and it has an impressive presence, and even though it is located right next to a castle. It still looks imposing.

And that is on purpose! Miraiza Osaka-Jo building is actually the former military headquarters of the 4th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, and was later used as the Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters and home of the Osaka City Museum.
A long time ago, this area was one of the largest militarized areas in Japan.

The interior is very dignified, with red carpet running down the stairs, and despite appearances the complex is actually open to the public and includes restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops.
You can even dine in the VIP room of the second floor restaurant, which once hosted the Emperor.
Definitely visit Miraiza Osaka-Jo, while you’re here! It’s so charming with the gorgeous staircases and detailed carvings decorating the interior.

Also, there is a spot on the first floor where you can refill water bottles for free if you have one with you.
There are six water supply spots called “MIZUiro Switch” in Osaka City (as of June 2022), and three of them are in Osaka Castle Park, including this one! See if you can find the other two places.

■Get some good luck while you’re here

There are many spots within Osaka Castle Park that tend to be overlooked…For example, did you know about Hokoku Jinja, the shrine located in front of Sakuramon Gate?
This shrine is dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, his son Hideyori, and his half-brother Hidenaga.

Hideyoshi was born into a peasant family but eventually rose to become a great military commander who unified the country. Therefore the shrine is affiliated with good luck in career advancement and good fortune.
A statue of Hideyoshi stands on the shrine grounds in a dignified posture, and there is also a rock garden, Shusekitei, which was created under the guidance of the famed garden designer Shigemori Mirei.
The shrine also has special gourd-shaped amulets which are meant to bring you good luck in your career. Hideyoshi, had a special affinity with gourds and his iconic battle standards were decorated with them. So if you collect these gourd amulets, the idea is that you’ll enjoy the good luck of Hideyoshi!

■Seasonal flowers in full bloom

Although Osaka Castle Park is a tourist destination, it is also a favorite destination for local residents. Some people pass through it on their commute to work, while others enjoy running and exercising in the park.
In spring, it is especially popular with people who come to see the cherry blossoms.
No matter which season you visit, you can see a variety of flowers in the lush green garden, starting with plum blossoms in early spring, followed by peach and cherry blossoms, then hydrangeas, crape myrtles and roses of Sharon in summer. And the autumn leaves are gorgeous.

The park is huge, so you might want to hop on the road train for a ride.

And the golden gozabune boat that travels through the castle moats makes a stunning picture.

It is said that this ship was recreated based on the ship depicted on the Osaka folding screen of the Toyotomi era.
Feel the atmosphere of a luxurious ship that is said to have been used by feudal lords and other noble people.

■Plenty of cafes and restaurants

Osaka Castle Park has a lot to see and you can easily spend a day there. While you’re in the park, you’re likely to get hungry or require some refreshments so take advantage of the park’s cafes and restaurants!
There are a handful of food stalls and convenience stores in the park. And in addition to Miraiza Osaka-jo, we also recommend JO-TRRACE OSAKA, which houses a selection of restaurants and is located right next to Ōsakajō-kōen Station.

Here you’ll find everything from pancakes to pork cutlets to pizza. Plus there’s a “Ramen Street” on the second floor in Osaka Jokamachi, where you can try ramen from all over the country.
There are so many choices, it’s hard to decide where to go.
On the far end of JO-TERRACE OSAKA near Morinomiya Station, there is also a Starbucks and a bakery called R Baker, which opens at 7am.

The fish burger looked so delicious I had to try it!

If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy Osaka Castle Park, it’s best to visit on a weekday. But Osaka Castle Park is also lots of fun on weekends and holidays when most of the special events are held. And in winter you can see the beautiful illuminations at night which give it an absolutely magical atmosphere.

Osaka Castle Park has so many great spots that I can’t share them all at once.
Even if you’ve been there before, the park is constantly evolving, so you’re sure to find something new when you visit again.
And there are lots of other great nearby spots that are worth a visit too, like the Osaka Museum of History, Morinomiya Q’s Mall BASE, and Fujita Art Museum!

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