This article introduces a sightseeing plan and route to visit all the highlights and popular spots of Osaka Castle.
If you want to know about the highlights and popular spots of Osaka Castle, please check the article below.
Read more about Osaka Castle's highlights & popular spots
The most popular way to access Osaka Castle for sightseeing is to enter the castle grounds through Otemon Gate, the castle’s main entrance.
Therefore, get off the train at Tanimachi-4-chome Station.
As you walk, Osaka Castle will come into view. Let the anticipation build!
Osaka Castle is a popular tourist spot, so it gets crowded. It’s recommended to start your visit in the relatively uncrowded morning.
Osaka Castle opens at 9:00, so a perfect start would be to have a leisurely breakfast at a cafe near Otemon Gate and then arrive at the castle right at 9:00.
For cafes where you can have breakfast near Tanimachi-4-chome Station, closest to Otemon Gate, refer to the following:
Read more about Cafes with morning service near Tanimachi-4-chome Station
First, head to Otemon Gate, the main entrance of Osaka Castle.
This is Otemon Gate, the main entrance of Osaka Castle.
Immediately after passing through Otemon Gate, you’ll find Tamon Yagura turret, which forms a masugata koguchi entrance.
After enjoying Otemon Gate and the masugata koguchi, head to Nishinomaru Garden.
Nishinomaru Garden is beautiful with cherry blossoms in spring (late March to early April) and autumn leaves in autumn (mid-November to early December).
Read more about Nishinomaru Garden
The large turret gate you encountered immediately after passing through Otemon Gate is Tamon Yagura. You can access the inside of Tamon Yagura from Nishinomaru Garden.
However, it’s not open to the public year-round, so check in advance if it’s open on the day of your visit, as it’s only open for limited periods.
Read more about Tamon Yagura
Like Tamon Yagura, you can also access the inside of Sengan Yagura from Nishinomaru Garden.
This is also only open for limited periods, so you need to confirm in advance if it’s open.
Read more about Sengan Yagura
After enjoying Nishinomaru Garden, Tamon Yagura, and Sengan Yagura, proceed toward the main tower. Along the way, you’ll find Shudokan.
Shudokan opened in January 1963 (Showa 38) as a martial arts hall. Japanese martial arts like judo, kendo, and naginata are practiced here.
Practice mainly takes place on weekdays. You can’t enter the building, but you can observe the practice from the entrance.
Right next to Shudokan is Osaka Castle Toyokuni Shrine, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi is enshrined.
There is a statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which is a popular photo spot.
Read more about Osaka Castle Toyokuni Shrine
Next, head to the main tower, Osaka Castle’s most popular spot.
This is the plaza in front of the main tower. It’s this crowded on a weekday afternoon at 3 pm.
The photo below shows the plaza just after 9 am. As recommended at the beginning, visiting early means it’s less crowded and you can enjoy the main tower comfortably.
Read more about The main tower
Now that you’ve visited 4 spots, take a break. Head to MIRAIZA OSAKA next to the main tower.
MIRAIZA OSAKA is a complex with restaurants, souvenir shops, and more. You can also see figure exhibitions and sales, and experience being a ninja or samurai. If you want to try throwing shuriken, make sure to visit even if you’re not tired.
Have a meal on the terrace with a view of the main tower, enjoy coffee or tea at a cafe, or buy snacks or ice cream at the shop and rest in the plaza in front of the main tower.
Read more about MIRAIZA OSAKA
There is a Japanese garden in the plaza in front of the main tower. It’s a hidden popular spot that’s easy to miss if you don’t know about it.
You can see a very beautiful view of Osaka Castle reflected on the water surface. This is a popular photo spot.
Next, take a cruise of Osaka Castle’s moat on the Gozabune boat.
Riding the Gozabune boat gives you the most beautiful view of Osaka Castle. The entire water surface reflecting Osaka Castle is stunning.
The ride lasts about 20 minutes. It’s one of the most recommended spots at Osaka Castle.
Read more about The Gozabune boat
After enjoying the Gozabune boat, have a meal. If you already ate at MIRAIZA OSAKA, take a break at a cafe here. Head to JO-TERRACE OSAKA.
JO-TERRACE OSAKA has many cafes and restaurants. It’s perfect for a break or lunch.
Read more about JO-TERRACE OSAKA
The next and last stop is the Peace Osaka - The Osaka International Peace Center.
Peace Osaka - The Osaka International Peace Center is a facility that conveys the lives of Osaka’s people and the state of air raids during World War II. You can glimpse those through existing materials, photographs from that time, paintings, and more, giving you the opportunity to learn about war and think about peace.
Read more about Peace Osaka - The Osaka International Peace Center
Osaka Castle Park is very large. On top of that, it’s packed with highlights like the main tower of Osaka Castle, gardens, and multi-purpose facilities. Visiting all the popular spots takes a fair amount of time and requires walking long distances, so it’s important to visit them with an efficient route.
With this plan and route, you can visit Osaka Castle’s main popular tourist spots without retracing your steps.
When implementing this sightseeing plan, it’s good to allow for about half a day.
Japanese scenery, culture, history. And gourmet food and shopping. Please try this sightseeing plan that covers all of Osaka Castle’s highlights and popular spots.
