Changes

During the [[Battle Of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]], Shogunal troops burned many of the castle’s buildings while retreating from Imperial forces. A new tenshu (built of ferro-concrete) was raised in 1931 by the city of Osaka. The castle was used to house troops during World War II, but suffered extensive damage from Allied bombers, losing four more turrets. The castle tenshu received an extensive makeover in the late 1990’s which brought it to its current state.

During the [[Battle Of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]], Shogunal troops burned many of the castle’s buildings while retreating from Imperial forces. A new tenshu (built of ferro-concrete) was raised in 1931 by the city of Osaka. The castle was used to house troops during World War II, but suffered extensive damage from Allied bombers, losing four more turrets. The castle tenshu received an extensive makeover in the late 1990’s which brought it to its current state.

Osaka Castle today is one of the most accessible and interesting castles in Japan. None of the Toyotomi structures or walls remains visible, and only four of the original Tokugawa turrets remain. There are several later Edo Period buildings there as well, including the Ote Yagura Mon, the gunpowder storehouse, and the treasure storehouse. The massive fitted stone walls and moats remain to attest to the might of the structure. The tenshu purports to be a recreation of the Toyotomi keep, but as it was built on the Tokugawa foundation stones, the dimensions are quite different. In addition, the Toyotomi keep was black and the current structure is white with green roof tiles. There’s also that darn elevator attached to the outside of the building! Other highlights on the grounds include the massive stones donated by daimyo to demonstrate their wealth and power. These include the Higo Ishi (48 feet long and 19 feet high), the Tako Ishi (19 feet high and 37 feet long), and the Furisode Ishi. In a recent excavation, these stones were found to be not as massive as they seem, as they are only about two feet thick.  

Osaka Castle today is one of the most accessible and interesting castles in Japan. None of the Toyotomi structures or walls remains visible, and only four of the original Tokugawa turrets remain. There are several later Edo Period buildings there as well, including the Ote Yagura Mon, the [[gunpowder]] storehouse, and the treasure storehouse. The massive fitted stone walls and moats remain to attest to the might of the structure. The tenshu purports to be a recreation of the Toyotomi keep, but as it was built on the Tokugawa foundation stones, the dimensions are quite different. In addition, the Toyotomi keep was black and the current structure is white with green roof tiles. There’s also that darn elevator attached to the outside of the building! Other highlights on the grounds include the massive stones donated by daimyo to demonstrate their wealth and power. These include the Higo Ishi (48 feet long and 19 feet high), the Tako Ishi (19 feet high and 37 feet long), and the Furisode Ishi. In a recent excavation, these stones were found to be not as massive as they seem, as they are only about two feet thick.  

The tenshu has 8 floors and one can spend an entire afternoon enjoying it. There are films shown continuously in several languages on the history of the castle, recreations of Hideyoshi’s golden tea house, an entire floor devoted to the history of the Winter and Summer campaigns, a audio-visual series of presentations using holograms of actors and models that gives the life story of Hideyoshi, and the expected gift shop at the top (along with great views of Osaka). The real gem is the museum of historical artifacts. While the items on display rotate, they have an unrivaled collection of painted battle screens, armor, swords, firearms, and letters written by many famous daimyo.  

The tenshu has 8 floors and one can spend an entire afternoon enjoying it. There are films shown continuously in several languages on the history of the castle, recreations of Hideyoshi’s golden tea house, an entire floor devoted to the history of the Winter and Summer campaigns, a audio-visual series of presentations using holograms of actors and models that gives the life story of Hideyoshi, and the expected gift shop at the top (along with great views of Osaka). The real gem is the museum of historical artifacts. While the items on display rotate, they have an unrivaled collection of painted battle screens, armor, swords, firearms, and letters written by many famous daimyo.