What other travelers are saying about Osaka Castle
The castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. The inner keep of Osaka Castle is situated on a plot of land roughly one square kilometre. It is built on two raised platforms of landfill supported by sheer walls of cut rock, using a technique called burdock piling, each overlooking a moat. The keep is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from attackers. The castle has two moats (an inner and an outer one). The castle grounds, which cover approximately 61,000 square metres (15 acres). Popular place, need to go early. Keep an eye on your valuables. Very crowded level terrain outside, lots of walking though. Inside castle lots of stair climbing. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Fee charged for entry.
The scenery is beautiful, and the castle is very clean. This over 400-year-old historic site, Osaka Castle, has preserved 13 structures, including wooden buildings, gates, and warehouses, built throughout the Edo period. Unfortunately, the hot August weather and the large number of tourists made it impossible for us to fully explore the entire castle. However, I admire how the Japanese government and people have preserved this cultural heritage so well!
After quite a long walk through the scenic castle grounds, we finally arrived at Osaka Castle. It was an incredibly hot day, and to our surprise, there was a massive line stretching out in front of the entrance, it ended up being around a 50 minute wait. Thankfully, once inside, it was much cooler and more comfortable to explore.
Each floor of the castle features well-presented exhibits detailing the rich history of the castle and Osaka itself. From ancient samurai armour and weapons to historical timelines and models, there’s a lot to absorb. The elevator makes it easier to reach the top floors if you want to avoid the many steps.
At the top, we were rewarded with a panoramic 360-degree view over Osaka from the observation deck. It wasn’t too crowded up there either, likely because many people were avoiding the heat. The view alone made the climb worthwhile.
If you're planning to visit during summer or warmer days, definitely bring some water and maybe an umbrella or hat. There’s minimal shade in the queue area, so come prepared.
Osaka Castle is absolutely worth visiting, not just for its impressive structure, but also for the cultural insights and beautiful surroundings.
Thursday 9 am–5 pm
Friday 9 am–5 pm
Saturday 9 am–5 pm
Sunday 9 am–5 pm
Monday 9 am–5 pm
Tuesday 9 am–5 pm
Wednesday 9 am–5 pm
We were truly impressed by how stunning the view was in the evening.
If you have the time, we highly recommend visiting after sunset—it's absolutely beautiful and even more atmospheric at night.
Although many people visit during the day, we couldn’t fit it into our schedule. Instead, we chose to take an evening walk around the castle—and it turned out to be the perfect decision.
The illuminated castle within the peaceful surroundings felt almost magical.
For us, the evening view was even more enjoyable than a daytime visit.
Went in a Tuesday morning and bought tickets online. Entered quickly! It was crowded at the top, but I really enjoyed the views and the thoughtful museum displays. At the end I visited the movie theater which helped reinforce my understanding of the history of the castle.
While you have to be patient, and arrive knowing that it’s a big attraction, I recommend Osaka castle for all thoughts who love history and also because the park is free and gorgeous as well!
