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Most Famous Japanese Castle: Osaka Castle

Most Famous Japanese Castle: Osaka Castle

Published on Oct. 4, 2009 by

Osaka castle is a place not to be missed during a visit to Japan, its located on a gorgeous hill surrounded by moats, shrines, gardens and barriers to fight off invaders.

fountain near Osaka Castle in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan

An enjoyable day at Osaka Castle was just what I needed after the heavy drinking during Osaka Nights.

 in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japangolden lion and fish at Osaka Castle in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan

They were serving beer at the castle during an Austrian promotional event, quite interesting. Especially since I ended up going to Austria a few years later, check out my Innsbruck adventure.

drinking Austrian beer in front of Osaka Castle in Osaka, Osaka, Japandrinking Austrian beer in front of Osaka Castle

The castle was gorgeous and the view from the roof balcony was breathtaking.

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Originally called Ozakajō, it is one of Japan's most famous castles, and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.

taiko drummers in Osaka, Osaka, Japantaiko drummers

Under the Meiji government, Osaka Castle became part of the Osaka Army Arsenal (Osaka Hohei Kosho) manufacturing guns, ammunition and explosives for Japan's rapidly-expanding Western-style military.

ancient canon in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan

The castle is open to the public, and is easily accessible from Osakajōkōen Station on the JR West Osaka Loop Line.

impressive view from Osaka Castle in Osaka, Osaka, Japanimpressive view from Osaka Castle

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.

 in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japanmetal birds sitting on fence in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japannishio trains at Osaka Castle in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan in Osaka, Osaka, Japan

The surrounding park was gigantic, you could walk around the castle for hours. It was a hectic day because right after I had to catch the train heading towards the Nagisa festival in the Osaka Harbor.

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