Destinations

  Osaka Castle [ OSAKA ]

Osaka Castle Image

Osaka Castle was secured by the nation’s strongest fortifications in the days of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Completed on 1585, the castle was called the “Invincible Osaka Castle” or the “Golden Castle”. The original castle ground measured approximately 12.6km (7.8mi) in circumference and covered an area of some 111ha (274ac). The present site reveals only the foundations of the innermost part of the immense castle. The castle had 48 large and 76 small towers and was surrounded by a double ring of moats. The donjon was roofed with gilded tiles, and pair of golden shachihoko (fabled fish) were placed upon the ridges of the topmost roof, hence the name (Golden Castle). The castle suffered considerable damage when besieged by the Tokugawa shogun in 1614, then attacked again in 1615 and taken by shogun.