Osaka Castle in Osaka Prefecture

History of the Osaka castle

In late 15th century, monks lived here and they had strong power and influence.
A samurai called Oda Nobunaga lived nearby didn’t like it.
So he destroyed the buildings and killed all monks.
After the death of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a castle in 1583.
But the castle fell after the defeat of Toyotomi by the Tokugawa in 1615.
Then Tokugawa buried the castle in the ground then built another castle on top of it.
However, the main tower and palaces were destroyed later.

Now the main tower was reconstructed with modern concrete building with observation deck and exhibitions areas.

Yagura Turrets

Three turrets, originals and registered as important cultural properties, are open to the public.

Turret has two functions: One was as a castle wall consisting of stone walls and fences, and the other was as a warehouses where soldiers stood guard and weapons were stored.

The Sengan Yagura Turret was constructed to protect the entrance of Osaka Castle from the side.
The name of Sengan comes from the story
When Nobunaga Oda invaded the Osaka Hingan-ji Temple, which was located on this site, Nobunaga’s soldiers were exposed to an attack from a turret attached to the temple, which was so intense that they murmured among themselves: “That turret is worth Sengan (a large amount of money)”

Sakuradamon Gate

Inui Turrets

Gunpowder Storehouse

The storehouse was built in 1685 and was used to keep gunpowder for their guns and cannons.
The storehoused was very strong with its floor, walls, ceiling and beams all made of thick granite.
It is the only remaining example of a gunpowder storehouse in Japan.