Say hello to my boyfriend Paolo. Have you read his guest post in my blog? :) Click here!
We have prepared months in advanced for our trip to Osaka and can't believe we finally made it! ;) Obviously as first timers it was kind of normal that our first stop would be the Osaka Castle. Ōsakajō (大阪城) is one of the most visited sights in Osaka.
It is also my first time to come here during the autumn season so I can't help but admire the different shades of brown and green leaves as seen in this photo.
The castle is surrounded by impressive stone walls and moat which is very common in castles or temples. This is the 1965 restored version of the Gokurakubashi Bridge crossing the inner moat of Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle
It is also my first time to come here during the autumn season so I can't help but admire the different shades of brown and green leaves as seen in this photo.
The castle is surrounded by impressive stone walls and moat which is very common in castles or temples. This is the 1965 restored version of the Gokurakubashi Bridge crossing the inner moat of Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle
Inside the Osaka Castle is a museum (this is optional but the view is great so I suggest you go, admission is ¥600 per person) about its history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi intended the castle (it was the largest castle before the year 1600) to become the center of a new and unified Japan but Tokugawa troops attached, destroyed and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. It was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620's but the castle tower got struck by lightening and burned down.
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. The castle miraculously survived the city wide air raids during the world war. Major repair and renovation gave the castle its new glamour in 1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility.
We weren't allowed to take photos in some parts of the museum though they have an area where you can try on a helmet, surcoat and kosode kimono, and have your photograph taken for only ¥300 per pax.
This was taken on the top of the castle where we got a nice view of Osaka.
There are snack bars outside the castle should you get hungry before or after the Osaka Castle tour. Since hindi pa naman super winter levels ang temperature, puwedeng puwede pa kami mag green tea ice cream. :) Yummmm!
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. The castle miraculously survived the city wide air raids during the world war. Major repair and renovation gave the castle its new glamour in 1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility.
We weren't allowed to take photos in some parts of the museum though they have an area where you can try on a helmet, surcoat and kosode kimono, and have your photograph taken for only ¥300 per pax.
This was taken on the top of the castle where we got a nice view of Osaka.
There are snack bars outside the castle should you get hungry before or after the Osaka Castle tour. Since hindi pa naman super winter levels ang temperature, puwedeng puwede pa kami mag green tea ice cream. :) Yummmm!
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. Medyo walkathon levels nga lang siya ng around 20-30 minutes but wala naman kami choice dahil nga kumuha kami JR Pass di ba? Lol. But if you're taking the subway then the closest station is Tanimachi 4-chrome Station along the Tanimachi Subway Line and Chuo Subway Line.
