Osaka castle is a modern reconstruction. It still looks very beautiful from afar but if you want the feel of a genuine wooden castle, with hidey holes and sword marks, then two of the finest examples in Japan are a short train ride from Osaka: Himeji-jo is huge, was used as the setting for the film Shogun and is one of the most impressive sites in Japan, Hikkone-jo is smaller and close to the beautiful Biwa lake.
If for some reason your visit to Japan is limited to Osaka city then Osaka castle is still worth a visit. Inside a castle is a museum about Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Japan's most famous warlord who used the castle as a base. The museum feels like a department store but is actually quite interesting if you can understand Japanese or have a guide. It could be quite dull on your own. There are some nice views to be had from the top of the castle over the centre of the city.
Osaka Castle park is more of an attraction. It is the biggest open space in the centre of a concrete jungle and THE place to go in Osaka for cherry blossom viewing. There are often free concerts in the park during the summer and there is a large arena near the Castle which has some famous names from Japan and further affield.
The park used to be a home to a great number of homeless people although many were evicted for a recent flower show. This caused a lage scale confrontation between police and council officials and the homeless and their supporters.
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Apr 27th, 2007
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