Osaka Castle

Attraction > Castle

Not only is Osaka Castle (in Japanese; Osaka Jyou 大阪城) the symbol of Osaka, it is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and played a major role in the history of Japan. It's rich history has been handed down through stories, dramas and movies. Construction of the castle started in 1583, commissioned by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is rich in history as it was the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. in 1597 construction was completed, the same year Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, and was passed to his son Toyotomi Hideyori. Starting in 1614 one of the greatest attacks against the castle started when Tokugawa Ieyasu (another warlord who started his own bakufu in Edo) laid siege to the castle with a 2 to 1 advantage of men. The castle managed to fend of the first attack but after years of siege the castle finally fell and Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to take it.

It is also considered as an emblem of the power and fortune of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. At present, the entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.