Osaka Castle Park, Historical park in central Osaka, Japan.
Osaka Castle Park is a large green space in central Osaka with historic fortifications including stone walls, moats, and gardens arranged across the grounds. The main tower stands as the focal point, surrounded by gates, turrets, and smaller structures.
The park grew from Ōtemae Park, opened in 1924 in front of the Ōtemon gate under Osaka mayor Hajime Seki, an urban planner. On 7 November 1931, the same day the reconstructed keep was completed, it became Osaka Castle Park with the Honmaru included, then only 9.6 hectares. Most of the castle grounds belonged to the Imperial Japanese Army's 4th Division, and the Sugiyama area held the Osaka Artillery Arsenal, which was heavily bombed in World War II; unexploded shells still turn up during construction there.
Toyokuni Shrine, moved here from Nakanoshima in 1961, stands in the Ninomaru south compound and honours Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Nearby are a kyūdō hall and the Hōshō-an tea house, and on Sunday afternoons amateur bands play around the Sun Plaza. The park's name comes from the castle it encloses.
Four railway stations surround the park, making it easy to reach from different entry points across the area. Arriving early in the day helps you avoid crowds and enjoy better lighting for walking around.
The 1931 tower was funded by Osaka citizens' donations, and the army only allowed its reconstruction on condition that a divisional headquarters building was erected at the same time. That former headquarters later housed the Osaka City Museum and reopened in October 2017 as MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO, a shop and restaurant complex.
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