Osaka Castle

Sakura season in Japan, otherwise known as cherry blossom season, is my favourite time to photograph the country. Osaka Castle in particular looks glorious surrounded by candyfloss pink blossom.

Osaka, the vibrant city in Japan, offers a plethora of experiences for solo travelers. From its rich history and culture to its mouthwatering cuisine and bustling nightlife, there is something for everyone. 🚲 Here are three must-do activities for solo travelers in Osaka: 1⃣️ Explore Osaka Castle: Immerse yourself in history by visiting Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks. Take a stroll through the beautiful gardens surrounding the castle and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the observation deck. 2⃣️ Visit Dotonbori: Indulge in the vibrant atmosphere of Dotonbori, Osaka's entertainment district. Take a walk along the canal lined with neon lights and try local street food like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). Don't forget to snap a selfie with the iconic Glico Running Man sign! 3⃣️ Experience Universal Studios Japan: Unleash your inner child at Universal Studios Japan. Enjoy thrilling rides, meet your favorite characters, and immerse yourself in the magic of movies. Don't miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a must-visit for any fan. 🏨 Hotel Recommendation For solo travelers on a budget, Hostel 64 Osaka is a great choice. Located in the heart of the city, this hostel offers affordable dormitory-style accommodation, a communal kitchen, and a friendly atmosphere, perfect for meeting fellow travelers. Hotel Chuo Oasis is another fantastic option. Situated near major attractions and public transportation, this hotel offers comfortable rooms at a reasonable price, ensuring a pleasant stay without breaking the bank. For those seeking luxury, The St. Regis Osaka is a top-notch choice. This five-star hotel boasts elegant rooms, impeccable service, and a range of amenities including a spa, fitness center, and multiple dining options. Indulge in luxury and enjoy a memorable stay in Osaka. Remember, as a solo traveler, always prioritize your safety and be open to new experiences. Osaka awaits you with open arms, ready to provide an unforgettable adventure.

Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) is one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, with millions of people visiting the iconic landmark each year, particularly during cherry blossom season when there are special hanami parties and night illuminations. I’ve had the chance to visit both during sakura season and regular times of year, and will share some of my thoughts and tips for Osaka Castle in this post. Construction of Osaka Castle began in 1583 on the site where Ishiyama Honganji Temple had been destroyed. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended for Osaka Castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. Once completed, Osaka Castle was the largest castle in Japan. After Hideyoshi’s death, Osaka Castle was destroyed. It was subsequently rebuilt in the 1620s, only to be struck by lightning and burnt down in 1665. Today’s Osaka Castle is a reconstruction that was built in 1931, and it highly modernized on the inside. During our first experience with Osaka Castle, I was taken aback and even a bit disappointed by this. Having since visited Nijo Castle and Himeji Castle, I no longer feel that way. In fact, after visiting more preserved historical points of interest in Japan, I have a greater appreciation for the change of pace that Osaka Castle offers. If Osaka Castle were the only castle in Japan I visited on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I’d probably be disappointed. Once you go inside, it loses the aura of authenticity, and feels like a reproduction. However, if you visit either Nijo or Himeji Castles (both of which are in this general region), Osaka Castle can be viewed as more of a complementary experience.What those castles lack in expository information and displays due to their more historical character, Osaka Castle makes up for. There’s a wealth of information on display in its multi-level galleries, and it offers some interesting insight into Japanese history. When viewed as a “hybrid museum” housed inside of beautiful architecture, I think it’s quite easy to have a very favorable opinion of Osaka Castle. #travelsnacks#travelinspiration#nyedestinations#unforgettableexperiences#awesomepic#historicculture#museumquest#culturalattractions#nationalpark

Osaka castle is a must place to visit in Osaka, Japan. Even though it was a top tourist attraction, it wasn’t so busy at that time. So many photo shoot spots you can find there beside the castle itself. it’s a sacred place so don’t do anything that’s impolite. it was a nice, sunny, bright, cold day when i visited Osaka Castle. strolling around there was also my favorite thing to do there.

Osaka Castle has a very long history. It was built in 1586 and is made of majestic stone walls. In the center of Osaka Castle Park, the main building of Osaka Castle towers, which is very spectacular. ❣️ Ascending the five-story Tenshukaku, you can look around the entire city of Osaka. 👀 Osaka Castle Park attracts tourists from all over the world due to the castle tower, and many tourists come to play on weekends or holidays. #happynewyear

#2024wish Osaka Castle Park and Castle are beautiful areas, a large range of vegetation and paths leading to the various areas of the park. The trees are well-pruned with many interesting species of plants. The castle’s architecture is exquisite, with a great amount of detail. On the inside there are many exhibits informing visitors of the history of the castle and other aspects of the area. I highly recommend going to the top floor first, which has an amazing view over the park and city, and working your way down to the bottom, which is a lot easier than going upwards. I effortlessly spent hours wandering around the sprawling gardens and buildings in the park and castle area. I wish to go back here in 2024

Osaka Castle is an absolute city card of Osaka! In the history of Osaka, there was a great figure who unified Japan - Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the castle tower of Osaka Castle is a symbol of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's power! On the old city wall of the Tenshu-kaku, you can still see the charred marks left by the fierce battle between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu after the great fire. The symbol of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's power was completely burned in the fire, leaving only the city wall. The current Tenshu-kaku was rebuilt in 1931. Enter the Tennoji Tower, where the focus is on the growth history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the power struggle with Tokugawa Ieyasu. The tower is decorated with a lot of gold, with shining eaves and fish-shaped animal heads, and the Osaka Castle Park is in full view.

We visited one of our favorite tenpanyaki izakayas called Vito, and became friends with the owner. We wanted to visit Osaka Castle (or Osaka Jo in Japanese), so we went and our new friend even brought his mother. She made delicious homemade Onigiri and we sat under a beautiful Sakura Tree next to the river at one of the entrances at Osaka Castle. Lately, the weather has been so great - a little hot even. These are the last days to go see the Sakura flowers before it gets too hot. The castle itself was a wonder, and you can feel the old-timey vibes. This is a main tourist attraction, and it can get a little crowded. However the area is so vast that there is no feeling of being overcrowded. #Osaka #osakacastle

Step into Osaka, located in the central-western part of Japan, in the heart of the Kinki region. Although it is the smallest prefecture in Japan by area, its population and population density are second only to the capital, Tokyo, making it the second largest in the nation. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the western part facing the bow-shaped Osaka Bay. Due to its proximity to Japan's ancient capitals, Kyoto and Nara, it rapidly developed and prospered as a crucial hub for water and land transportation and as a commercial city. In the city of Osaka, there is Osaka Castle, centered around a 5-story castle tower, with a lawn park of about 60,000 square meters. During the cherry blossom season in spring, the park is thronged with visitors admiring the blossoms, creating an endless stream of people. In Umeda, the northern gateway of Osaka, there are many large underground shopping streets, lined with eateries, boutiques selling trendy goods, and miscellaneous shops. The area centered around Umeda is known as 'Kita'; the area centered around Namba and Dotonbori is known as 'Minami'. Namba is a bustling district with a common touch, while Dotonbori is an area along the Dotonbori River lined with eateries. Minami is a famous entertainment district, home to many theaters and cinemas. Best Season: March to August is the best time to travel to Osaka, with pleasant weather and a variety of gatherings and festivals taking place, making it the time when you can experience the most characteristic activities.

Osaka's AquaLiner water bus is one of the very popular sightseeing tours in Osaka. At first glance, the bus looks like a submarine in the river , and sitting on the bus, looking through the glass windows, you see the river outside fluctuating bit by bit with the 🚤, the 🌸 by the roadside and the city gradually receding, it feels like watching 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' as the landscape slowly merges with emotions. What passes by is not the landscape, but your own memories, bit by bit they pass and can never return. There's a question, what is something that can never come back? Is it time? Is it loved ones? Or is it one's own passion? I believe none of these are complete, I think it's the end, once it's over, it can never return, the disappearing landscapes step by step, like things that have ended and can never come back. I wish everyone to seize every moment around them 🎈 As a 🚰 city, Osaka has hundreds of bridges and rivers, forming numerous water sightseeing routes. The Osaka AquaLiner water bus has 4 main piers: Osaka Castle Port, Hachikenya Hama Pier, Yodoyabashi Port, and OAP Port, offering views of the cityscape from Osaka to Nakanoshima. (If you come during the cherry blossom season, the 🌸 along both banks of the river are incredibly beautiful) The Osaka AquaLiner has multiple boarding routes, and tourists can board at any of the 4 piers. 🚌 Don't worry about not having enough seats or not making it in time (the Osaka AquaLiner is actually a cruise-like mode of transportation that can accommodate hundreds of passengers). The whole process takes about an hour, during which you can enjoy the cityscape and natural scenery here. ⚠️ Boarding locations: 'Osaka Castle Port', 'Hachikenya Hama Pier', 'Yodoyabashi Port', 'OAP Port' - any one of these is fine Tour duration: About 40 minutes Operating hours: Osaka Castle Port 10:15~16:15 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday only: 17:20/18:05/18:50) 🎟Tips Items to purchase in advance: 1. SIM card 2. IC card 3. Recommended to buy a two-day pass (you can go to many places and take some buses and subways for free) 4. Kimono experience at Kiyomizu Temple (don't say I'm not patriotic, it's just experiencing different cultural features) 5. Hotel reservation (better location) 5. Selfie stick (highly recommended, very useful in many places, just a few tens of yuan, very practical)

If ever you are in Osaka, Japan, I would highly recommend visiting Osaka Castle. This picture perfect and historic castle is truly a sight to see. The castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. It would be best to visit this castle in the morning around 11AM to get the best view. #japan

#cherryblossom2024 Typically, cherry blossoms in Japan reach their peak season between the end of March and the beginning of April, which is considered the optimal time to witness the flowers' bloom in renowned tourist spots like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Osaka Castle is one of the best place to see Sakura if u wish to witness this beautiful yearly event, Japanese called it as Ohanami，賞櫻 🌸 日文的「お花見」(Ohanami)指在櫻花樹下賞櫻，乃日本春季一大盛事。 They have a variety species of Sakura in Osaka Castle. Many local will choose to have a picnic under the Sakura trees too. Besides, there is also some other places in Osaka for Sakura viewing, for example, 1. Kema Sakuranomiya Park @ nearby天滿橋公園 is one of the spots too. Sakuranomiya Station (JR Loop Line), free admission. Nearly 5000 cherry trees line Okawa River for several kilometers. The seemingly endless rows of cherry trees can be viewed from a pleasant riverside promenade or from ships cruising the river. There are also lawn areas with a lot of space for picnics. 2. Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi Subway Station, free admission. This large public park served as the site of a flower exhibition in 1990. Hundreds of cherry trees are planted across the park, offering visitors lots of attractive picnic spots. There are also about 50 small, representative gardens from countries across the world. Stopping to smell the Cherry Blossoms 🌸 Sakura in the air ! 🌱🐣 #Sakura Petals fresh from the trees 🍃 😅 #Osaka Castle Park #大阪城公園 #Kansai #Japan #Hanami 花見 #賞櫻日 #Spring