Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle (大阪城) is a Japanese castle which is in Osaka city of Osaka Prefecture. Most of the structures are made of wood. It is one of Japan's "Three Famous Castles." (The other castles are Himeji Castle and Kumamoto Castle.) Toyotomi Hideyoshi made the people build Osaka castle in the year 1583 (天正11年). In 1620, Tokugawa Hidetada started to rebuild Osaka Castle and it finished in 1629. Osaka Castle had been destroyed by fire twice. First, The Summer Battle of Osaka (大阪夏の陣) in 1645. Second, during World War II. In 1948, Osaka castle's restoration was started. Now Osaka Castle tower is the symbol of Osaka town. Today, Osaka Castle is surrounded by a large park with gardens, moats, and stone walls. The main tower is eight stories high and includes a modern museum inside. Visitors can learn about the castle’s history and enjoy beautiful views of the city from the top floor. It is a popular place for both tourists and locals, especially during cherry blossom season. References