Osaka castle is one the most popular attractions. It is more beautiful from the distance. If you have to choose between Himeji Castle 40 km away from Osaka and this castle, you rather give it a miss. Osaka castle is the largest of its kind in Japan. The complex was completed in 1586 after three years of construction and employed a staggering 600,000 workers. The original stone walls around the castle formed a massive rectangle that was three km long by two km wide. The Tokugawa clan in their bid for power completely destroyed the castle in 1615 when they defeated Hideyoshi's heir, and then they rebuilt it as a symbol of their authority. Occupied until 1867, the castle was razed by the last remnants of the Tokugawa Shogunate before they submitted to the forces supporting the Meiji Restoration. The castle was rebuilt to scale in 1931 using modern materials.

The grounds today are a park that affords an escape from the clamor of the city. It's usually filled with picnicking families, lovers strolling arm-in-arm, and bicyclists enjoying the open spaces. Inside the main five-storied donjon (actually eight floors within) is a museum displaying artifacts, some belonging to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, accumulated during 250 years of Tokugawa rule. The top floor presents a dazzling panorama of the city. The castle is open daily 0900-1630, with extended summer hours, and charges ¥600 admission. To arrive, take the Tanimachi subway to Temmabashi station and then walk for about 10 minutes.

A spacious park containing a dazzling variety of flowers and greenery. A special feature is the Sakuya Konohana Kan botanical garden, the largest in Japan, and includes attractions such as the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden and the International Garden based on a composite of gardens from 55 countries.