This replica of the great 16th-century Ōsakajō Castle is one of the most visited and beautiful sights in Osaka.

Osaka Castle is one of the largest in Japan and played a major role in the unification of Japan in the 16th century.

History and appearance of the castle

Construction of the castle began in 1583, however, over the centuries the castle has been destroyed and then rebuilt several times.

Today's exact reinforced concrete replica of the castle was built in 1931 and survived the bombings of World War II.

The massive walls around the castle and the moat are original and date back to the 17th century.

Osaka Castle, walls and moat

Osaka Castle

The castle lies in the middle of an artificial island, which contains a large park and the Japanese Nishinomaru Gardens.

Admission and opening hours

There is no entrance fee to the park behind the walls.

The castle and its museum, which is mainly dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the famous Japanese samurai, feudal lord and one of the unifiers of Japan, are open to the public.

It is open every day from 9:00-17:00, with the last entry 30 minutes before the entrance.

Ticket prices are as follows:

600 jpy - General Admission
540 jpy - Admission for holders of a full-day subway ticket
Free - admission with Osaka Amazing Pass

Official website: osakacastle.net

You must also pay the admission fee for the Nishinomaru Garden, open daily except Mondays from 9:00-17:00.

200 jpy - Regular admission
140 jpy - Admission for holders of a full-day subway pass
Free - admission with Osaka Amazing Pass

How to get there

Osaka Castle is located in the eastern part of downtown and is easily accessible by public transportation.

Metro

There are several metro stations in the vicinity of the castle. From each of them you can walk to the main entrance in about 5-10 minutes.

Tanimachi 4-chome (southwest of the castle)
- Dark Green Chuo Line - direction Hommachi (transfer to the Black Line direction Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi), Kaiyukan Aquarium, Expo 2025
- Purple Tanimachi Line - direction Osaka-Umeda Station, Tennoji, Harukas 300
Morinomiya (southeast of the castle)
- Dark green Chuo Line - direction Hommachi (change to the black line direction Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi), Kaiyukan Aquarium, Expo 2025
- Light green Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchu Line - direction Shinsaibashi, Nishi-Nagahori, Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Park

Railways

You can also use the trains to reach Osaka Castle, which are not covered by the all-day subway ticket, nor can single transfer tickets be combined with the subway.

Morinomiya (southeast of the castle)
- JR Osaka Loop Line (JR Pass valid here, Kansai Railway Pass not valid) - direction Osaka Station (Umeda), Tennoji

Buses

Bus line 62 runs along the western edge of the castle park in the direction of Yodoyabashi, Umeda and Tennoji.

Accommodation nearby

The neighborhood around the castle is one of the quiet ones, but also very accessible by several subway lines. Moreover, hotel prices here are lower than in the centre.

We recommend these hotels with good value for money.