Enjoy the beauty of Osaka Castle Japan

The Osaka castle is icon of Osaka City Japan.It is a popular spot during festival seasons, and especially during the cherry blossom bloom.Enjoy the beauty of Osaka Castle Japan.

The castle towers surrounded by secondary fortresses, gates, towers, stone walls and moat impressive. Nishinomaru Park, including former "western fortress", is a grass park with 600 cherry trees, tea house, a former Osaka Guest House and nice views from the tower of the castle from below.

The magnificent moats and the stone walls consist of numbers of huge stones and they are symbols of the solid defenses of the Tokugawa-built Osaka Castle.

Throughout the Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with a lot of green space, sports facilities, multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and Hokoku Shrine, dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Park is one of the most popular places for hanami Osaka cherry blossom season, which usually occurs in early April.

With waterways running around the castle, there is a water bus service that takes you out on an 1-hour cruise in the river that flows through the city.

In summer, the Okawa River in the northwest of the Osaka Castle becomes the stage for the Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival known as one of the three largest in Japan. The sight of a fleet of about 100 ships going down the river is a must-see, so are the gorgeous fireworks going up at the same time.

Osaka Castle Museum has a large variety of historical materials and the screen displays well-designed for all visitors including children.

The diorama on the 7th floor contains 19 scenes from the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, karakuri Taikoki, his image shown and moved around by high technology.

Osaka Castle Park is colorfully embellished. You can see about 600 cherry trees, including someiyoshino in Nishinomaru Garden. About 95 kinds of Japanese apricot flowers,1250 trees in total bloom in Ume Grove, and in Omoide-no-mori (Grove of Remembrance), you can enjoy beautiful autumn colored leaves.

The scenery, which changes from season to season, attracts many visitors throughout the year. Although the castle park is located in the center of the city, it is a place of recreation and relaxation familiar to Osakans.

Osaka Castle, not far from Kansai International Airport. You can arrive at the castle in one hour by expressway. The castle opens early at 9:00 am. When you visit the castle in the morning, you will have enough time for the Osaka City sightseeing in the afternoon. It is easy for planning. And Osaka is close to Kyoto and Nara, and gives you good access to the cities.

The castle is open to the public, and is easily accessible from Osakajōkōen Station on the JR West Osaka Loop Line. It is a popular spot during festival seasons, and especially during the cherry blossom bloom (hanami), when the sprawling castle grounds are covered with food vendors and taiko drummers. The large indoor arena Osaka-jo Hall is also located within the grounds of the castle park.

The recommended approach to Osaka Castle is through Otemon Gate at the park's southwestern corner. The closest station is Tanimachi 4-chrome Station along the Tanimachi Subway Line and Chuo Subway Line.

Hours and Fees of Castle Tower

Hours:    9:00 to 17:00 (entrance until 16:30)

Extended hours during various holidays and special exhibitions

Closed:    December 28 to January 1

Admission:    600 yen

The closest JR station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line, a 10 minute, 160 yen ride from JR Osaka Station.