Highlights of Osaka Castle
From Toyotomi Hideyoshi to the Tokugawa Shogunate
Construction of Osaka Castle began in 1583 under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Built on the site of the former Osaka Hongan-ji, the castle became a base supporting Hideyoshi’s unification of the country. However, when the Toyotomi clan was destroyed in the 1615 Summer Campaign of Osaka, the castle also burned down.
Later, the Tokugawa shogunate covered the castle from the Toyotomi period with fill and built a new Osaka Castle. The castle tower from the Tokugawa period was also destroyed by fire after being struck by lightning in 1665, and the castle then remained without a tower for a long time.
The Present Castle Tower
The present main keep was rebuilt in 1931 with donations from local residents. Constructed from steel-reinforced concrete, it has anexterior modeled on the main keep from the Toyotomi era, adorned with golden shachi and tiger decorations.
Inside is a history museum with exhibits on the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Warring States period, and the sieges of Osaka. The observation deck on the top floor offers panoramic views of the city.
Stone Walls and Moat
Most of the stone walls and moats that remain at Osaka Castle today were built during its reconstruction by the Tokugawa shogunate. The walls of massive stones and the broad moats offer a close-up sense of the castle's immense scale.
The castle grounds also retain structures from the Edo period, including Otemon Gate and the Tamon and Sengan turrets. Exploring these historic remains as well as the main keep reveals the full extent of the castle complex.
Basic Information about Osaka Castle
The information below was checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- Check visitor information for Osaka Castle's main tower and directions for getting there.
大阪城天守閣大阪城天守閣は、豊臣時代・徳川時代に続く3代目のもので、昭和6年（1931）市民の寄付金によって復興されました。現在まで90年以上の歴史を刻み、国の登録文化財にも指定されています。www.osakacastle.net - 📍 Address
- 〒540-0002 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka
- 🕒 Opening hours
- Osaka Castle's main tower is open from 9:00 to 18:00 (last admission at 17:30). Osaka Castle Park is always open. ⚠️ Depending on crowd levels, the ticket line may be closed before 17:30.
- 🚫 Closed
- Osaka Castle's main tower is closed from December 28 to January 1. Osaka Castle Park has no closing days.
- 💶 Admission
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- Adults: 1,200 yen
- University and high school students: 600 yen. Student ID is required. University and high school students from overseas must present an ISIC card.
- Junior high school students and younger children: free. Proof of age is required. Overseas visitors aged 15 or younger must present a passport or similar document.
Admission to Osaka Castle Park is free. Fees for facilities within the park vary.
- ⏱️ Suggested visit length
- A visit to the main tower usually takes 50–60 minutes, or about 90 minutes if you want to explore the exhibits thoroughly. ⚠️ This does not include time spent walking around the park, walking from the station, or waiting to enter.
Access to Osaka Castle
From Osaka Station, take the JR Osaka Loop Line to Morinomiya Station or Osaka-jōkōen Station. On the subway, convenient options are Tanimachi Yonchōme Station on the Tanimachi Line, Tanimachi Yonchōme or Morinomiya Station on the Chūō Line, and Morinomiya or Osaka Business Park Station on the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line. On the Keihan Railway, use Temmabashi Station. From each station, walk through Osaka Castle Park to the main tower; the walk takes about 15–20 minutes. From Tanimachi Yonchōme, a relatively flat walking route via Ōtemon Gate is recommended.