- Osaka Castle Gozabune Boat: The most beautiful view of Osaka Castle. Cruising is soothing.
- We would like to introduce you to the Osaka Castle Gozabune, which allows you to take the most beautiful photos of Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle Tower
Osaka Castle Tower is a castle tower located within Osaka Castle Park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City. The current castle tower was reconstructed in 1931 (Showa 6) based on the castle tower built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is a registered tangible cultural property of the country. It is 55m above ground and has 8 floors, offering a panoramic view of Osaka city from the top floor. Inside is a history museum, exhibiting materials related to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the history of Osaka Castle.
- Business hours
- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Regular holidays
- December 28th - January 1st
- Fees
- Adult: 600 yen
- Children (junior high school students and under): Free
- Required time
- 30 ~ 40 minutes
- Telephone number
- 06-6941-3044
- Official website
- https://www.osakacastle.net/
- Toilet
- There are restrooms only on the second floor.
A magnificent symbol of Osaka. The current castle tower is his third generation.
Osaka Castle’s main tower has an appearance that can be described as magnificent, with its huge white body shining against the blue sky. The combination of the tiled roof that shines in the sunlight and the strong stone walls exudes dignity as a symbol of Osaka.
Its magnificent appearance seems to embody Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s dream of unifying the country. The stone walls and tiled roofs, which give you a sense of the weight of history, fully express the traditional beauty of Japan.
By the way, the current castle tower is his third generation.
The first castle tower was built for 31 years, from 1585 (13th year of Tensho) during the Toyotomi era to 1615 (20th year of Keicho era).
The second generation castle tower was built during the Tokugawa era for 40 years from 1626 (Kanei 3rd year) to 1665 (Kanbun 5th year).
The current third generation of his castle tower was built in 1931 (Showa 6).
1st floor: Entrance to the castle tower
The first floor has an elevator, information counter, and museum shop.
At the information counter, you can rent audio guides from various countries. (Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese)
The museum shop sells souvenirs and Osaka Castle goods. Original goods that can only be purchased at the museum shop are also on sale.
Save your strength! Use the elevator to get around efficiently
The elevator on the first floor takes you up to the fifth floor.
First, take the elevator up to the 5th floor, and from the 5th floor, take the stairs to his observation deck on the 8th floor.
After enjoying the view from the observation deck on the 8th floor, you can walk down the stairs and explore the exhibits on each floor, then go down to the 1st floor to minimize the amount of stairs you have to climb.
You can enjoy the castle tower even in a wheelchair
Elevators generally only go up, but those in wheelchairs can use the elevator to go both up and down. You can also look around the observation deck and the exhibits on each floor, so please ask the staff on the 1st floor of the castle tower.
Second floor: Dynamic! Osaka Castle information corner
The second floor is an area with explanations and exhibits about Osaka Castle.
Luxurious gold shachi tiles are also on display. It is a replica of the same size as the one used in the current castle tower. It’s very impressive.
Try-on experience of helmet/jinbaori
What we recommend on the second floor is the corner where you can try on helmets and jinbaori. You can try on the helmets and coats of Sengoku warlords, and take commemorative photos with your own camera. The fee is 500 yen.
3rd and 4th floors (special exhibitions)
The third and fourth floors are special exhibition areas. Exhibit contents change every two months.
You can check the current exhibition contents and schedule of special exhibitions on the official website.
Please note that photography is prohibited on the 3rd and 4th floors.
5th floor: The world of the Osaka summer battle folding screen
On the 5th floor, there is an exhibition about the world of Osaka Natsu Jinzu folding screens.
The Osaka Summer Battle Folding Screen is a six-fold folding screen painting depicting the battle of 1615 (Keicho 20). The battle between the shogunate forces led by Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Osaka forces led by Toyotomi Hideyori is vividly depicted, conveying the intensity of the final battle of the Sengoku period. More than 5,000 people and 300 horses are depicted in great detail, and it depicts not only the battle, but also the post-war chaos and suffering of civilians. It is owned by Osaka Castle’s castle tower and is an important cultural property.
You can see a picture of a folding screen on wikipedia.
Among them, what you should definitely see is the miniature that recreates the Osaka Summer Camp.
The fierce battle between Sanada Yukimura’s squad (158 figures) and Matsudaira Tadanao’s squad (149 figures) is recreated in great detail using miniature dolls (total of 307 figures, scale 1/20).
6th floor (no entry allowed)
There are no exhibits on the 6th floor, and it is a restricted area.
7th floor: Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s life
On the 7th floor, there is an exhibition about the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This is a concise and easy-to-understand summary of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s life from his birth to the end of his life.
Some of the content uses 3D images, such as the one below, which is fun.
8th floor (observation deck): 50m above ground! Panoramic view of Osaka city as seen by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
The 8th floor is an observation deck. You can see a panoramic view of Osaka city.
No need to wait in line! magic tickets
To enter Osaka Castle’s castle tower, you need to purchase a ticket at the counter.
However, the Osaka Castle Tower is so popular that you will have to line up to buy tickets.
To avoid waiting in line, please purchase a web ticket in advance.
If you purchase a web ticket, you won’t have to buy a ticket at the counter, so you won’t have to wait in line.
The same applies if you have the Osaka Amazing Pass. You can enter the castle tower just by showing your pass, so you can enter the castle tower without waiting in line.
Enjoy Osaka Castle by walking wisely
Osaka Castle’s castle tower is very popular and is visited by many people. The same-day ticket sales counters are always crowded, so buy online tickets or the Osaka Amazing Pass to save yourself time in line.
Osaka Castle’s castle tower has fascinating exhibits on every floor, but touring the 8-story castle tower, you’ll have to climb up and down a lot of stairs. You will get tired if you take all the stairs, so try to use the elevator as much as possible to get around comfortably.
When you come to Osaka Castle, a visit to the castle tower is a must-see tourist attraction. Please walk wisely and enjoy the castle tower of Osaka Castle.
