Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle was built by Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple. It was originally intended to be the center of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s vision where he would rule a unified Japan. As such Osaka Castle was, at the time, Japan’s largest castle.

Unfortunately, several years after the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1615, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed Osaka Castle as well as the entire Toyotomi lineage. It was not until 1620, under the control of Tokugawa Hidetada, that Osaka Castle was rebuilt. However, it burned down in 1665 after been struck by a lightning. In 1931 the present ferroconcrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built and miraculously survived the many air raids over Osaka during WWII. Because of its modern design and interior, Osaka Castle has been heavily criticized for its lack of authenticity and Osaka City has decided to tear down the actual castle and rebuilt it from the ground up respecting the castle’s past architecture and design.