Osaka Castle Park, Japan: Toyotomi’s dream

Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi did not want a castle. No, he did not want just a castle. He desired a castle modeled after his predecessor Oda Nobunaga’s headquarters however grander in every aspect. He desired the grandest castle in Japan.

He understood what he wanted. as well as he had it done.

The Castle Grounds

The immensity of the site did not dawn on me up until I was already standing in the middle of it. coming from the Osakajokoen station of the JR loop Line, I had to walk a number of hundred meters to lastly reach the primary tower. The grounds span an area of 60,000 sq meters, cradling 13 structures including a number of gates as well as turrets, all of which have been declared “Important cultural Assets” by the government of Japan. however the entire park — which likewise covers a baseball diamond as well as the Osakajo Hall — extends to 2 square kilometers in total.

Needless to say, a go to includes walking. An terrible great deal of walking.

Constructed on two elevated platforms, the castle, according to my buddy Wikipedia, is “supported by sheer walls of cut rock, utilizing a method called Burdock piling, each overlooking a moat.” short bridges likewise run over the moats, linking the inner as well as outer sections of the site. Plum as well as peach groves likewise fringe the baileys of the park.

Aoyamon Gate. developed in 1620 (early Edo period), destroyed by the 1945 bombings, as well as rebuilt in 1969.
Gokurakubashi Bridge, developed by the Tokugawa Shogunate

Hokoku Shrine, a Shinto shrine developed in honor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
A baseball game happening at the park
The inner moat surrounding the central enclosure of Osaka Castle Park
Plum Groves skirting the castle grounds
While it was an simple stroll to the primary tower, it was still a extremely tiring one for me. It was a mid-summer midday when I was there, as well as the sun was rather intimidating. starting to ache, my knees made the park seem much more large than it really was. The great news, there were not numerous tourists. The poor news, the lovely cherry blossoms or autumn leaves were absent. The location was covered in all shades of green, oh so bright as well as oh so ordinary. Still, the monochromaticity of the surroundings did not take away anything from the splendor of the central castle.

The central Castle

The primary tower of the castle stands majestically atop a stone foundation at the dead center of the area. The building started in 1583 at the site of Ikkō-ikki temple of Ishiyama Hongan-ji under the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He was the ruling warlord at the time, succeeding Oda Nobunaga, the initiator of the unification of Japan. Toyotomi desired a castle that mirrored Oda’s however much larger as well as grander. The largest castle in Japan at the time, it had (and still has) five stories above ground as well as three below.

Toyotomi Hideyori succeeded his dad only to be defeated by Tokugawa Ieyasu, putting an end to the Toyotomi lineage. The Tokugawa clan took manage of as well as in 1615 destroyed the castle. In 1620s, Tokugawa Hidetada had it rebuilt, however a lightning burnt it down in 1665.

Osakajo
The imposing Osaka Castle (Osakajo)
The Castle now homes a museum showcasing the life as well as work of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Yukimura Sanada’s troops vs Tadanao Masudaira’s troops during the summertime war of Osaka
The viewdeck on the top floor of the castle
Osaka cityscape as saw from the top floor of Osaka Castle
Kimmeisui Well. 33 meters deep. legend has it that Toyotomi Hideyoshi dropped gold right here to purify the water. however the well was really dug in 1626 by the Tokugawa shogunate.
Former Osaka City Museum. I don’t understand what this building homes now.
The present-day structure is a reconstruction performed in 1931, which survived the 1945 bombings as well as was renovated in 1997. It now boasts a extremely contemporary interior, total with amenities that facilitate the motion of tourists, who are extremely excited to discover much more about this monumental structure. Toyotomi Hideyoshi desired a grand castle to leave a long lasting legacy. numerous centuries because he visualized it, the building continues to honor as well as pay tribute to him as it now homes a museum solely devoted to his life as a warlord, a leader, as well as a legend.

Osakajokoen (Osaka Castle Park)
１-１ Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 09:00am-04:30pm
Admission Ticket: JPY 600

How to get to Osaka Castle: Take the JR loop Line as well as get off at Osakajokoen Station. walk down the stairs towards the Osakajo Hall as well as turn left up until you reach the moat. You ought to already see the top stories of the castle. turn best as well as walk up until you see the Aoyamon entrance on your left hand side. walk with the entrance as well as turn best up until you see Gokurakobashi Bridge. cross the bridge, comply with the path after it, as well as you’ll end up at the primary enclosure where the castle stands.

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