P499 - Japan - Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle, Osaka City, Japan

Osaka Castle (大坂城) is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
Originally called Ozakajō, it is one of Japan's most famous castles, and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Osaka Castle is situated on a plot of land roughly one kilometer square. 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 central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from sword-bearing attackers.

The Castle grounds, which cover approximately 60,000 square meters (15 acres) contain thirteen structures which have been designated as Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government, including the Toyokuni Shrine, dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The castle is open to the public, and is easily accessible from Osakajōkōen Station on the JR West Osaka Loop Line. It is a popular spot during festival seasons, and especially during the cherry blossom bloom (hanami), when the sprawling castle grounds are covered with food vendors and taiko drummers. The large indoor arena Osaka-jo Hall is also located within the grounds of the castle park.


大阪城，位於日本大阪市中央區（古屬攝津國東成郡）的大阪城公園內，為大阪名勝之一，和名古屋城、熊本城並列日本歷史上的三名城，別名「金城」或「錦城」。

在桃山時代是豐臣秀吉的居城。後來德川家康以兩次大坂之役（冬之陣、夏之陣）消滅了豐臣家，此後大坂城成為德川幕府控制西日本大名的重要據點。


References sources : wikipedia