Osaka Castle Park
Encyclopedia
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
and historical site situated at Osaka-Jō in Chūō-ku, Osaka
Chuo-ku, Osaka
, Osaka is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. It has an area of 8.88 km2, and a population of 60,085. It houses Osaka's financial district, as well as the Osaka Prefecture offices and principal shopping and tourist areas.-Diplomatic missions:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It lies on the south of the Ōkawa (Kyū-Yodo River
Kyū-Yodo River
The was the main stream of the Yodo River before 1907, when the current Yodo River was constructed by a normalisation project. Now called the Kyū-Yodo River, it is a major waterway in central Osaka and the main drainage of Neyagawa river....
) and occupies a large area in the center of the city of Osaka. This park is second largest park in the city.
The park was constructed on a site with a long history. In the 15th century, a militant temple, Ishiyama Hongan-ji
Ishiyama Hongan-ji
For other uses, see Ishiyama .The ' was the primary fortress of the Ikkō-ikki, mobs of warrior monks and peasants who opposed samurai rule. It was established in 1496, at the mouth of the Yodo River, on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. At the time, this was just outside of the remains of the...
, was built here. In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
destroyed Ishiyama Hongan-ji and built Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle
is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, 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.-Description:...
here. From 1870 to 1945 the Osaka Imperial Arsenal used a large area and it was destroyed at end of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1931, Osaka Castle Park was opened to the public, but most of the area was used by the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. After World War II, most of the military complex was removed and replaced by the public urban park.
In the park, there's Osaka Castle Hall
Osaka-jo Hall
, or Osaka Castle Hall, is a multi-purpose arena, in the Kyōbashi area, of Osaka, Japan. The hall opened in 1983 and can seat up to 16,000 people...
, a large athletic field, baseball field, football field, open air music theatre, open air concert hall and Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle
is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, 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.-Description:...
Keep Tower. From the top of keep tower, we can see from Osaka Bay
Osaka Bay
Osaka Bay is a bay in western Japan. As an eastern part of the Inland Sea, it is separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Kii Channel and from the neighbor western part of the Inland Sea by the Akashi Strait...
to Mount Ikoma
Mount Ikoma
is a mountain on the border of Nara Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture in Japan. This mountain is the highest peak in the Ikoma Mountains and the height is 642 meters.- Outline :...
which surround the Osaka Plain
Osaka Plain
The refers to a 1,600 km² area of flat land, the largest plain in the Kinki region, including a large part of Osaka Prefecture and a southeastern portion of Hyōgo Prefecture. It is bordered on the north by the Hokusetsu Mount Range, on the east by the Ikoma Mount Range and Kongō Mount Range,...
. Every weekend, some busking
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
groups perform in the park. In spring, cherry blossom and plum
Plum
A plum or gage is a stone fruit tree in the genus Prunus, subgenus Prunus. The subgenus is distinguished from other subgenera in the shoots having a terminal bud and solitary side buds , the flowers in groups of one to five together on short stems, and the fruit having a groove running down one...
blossom viewing is popular at this park.
Historical Monuments
- Osaka CastleOsaka Castleis a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, 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.-Description:...
(大坂城 Osaka-Jō)- Keep Tower (天守閣 Tenshu-kaku)
- Gold Storehouse (金蔵 Kinzō)
- Sakura Gate (桜門 Sakura-Mon)
- Tamon Gate (多聞櫓 Tamon-Yagura)
- Ōte Gate (大手門 Ōte-Mon)
- Aoya Gate (青屋門 Aoya-Mon)
- Inui Turret (乾櫓 Inui-Yagura)
- Sengan Turret (千貫櫓 Sengan-Yagura)
- 6th Turret (六番櫓 Rokuban-Yagura)
- 1st Turret (一番櫓 Ichiban-Yagura)
- Inner Moat (内濠 Naigō)
- Outer Moat (外濠 Gaigō)
- Ishiyama Hongan-jiIshiyama Hongan-jiFor other uses, see Ishiyama .The ' was the primary fortress of the Ikkō-ikki, mobs of warrior monks and peasants who opposed samurai rule. It was established in 1496, at the mouth of the Yodo River, on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. At the time, this was just outside of the remains of the...
monument (石山本願寺推定地碑) - The pine tree where the priest RennyoRennyo' was the 8th Monshu, or head-priest, of the Hongwanji Temple of the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Buddhism, and descendant of founder Shinran. Jodo Shinshu Buddhists often referred to as the restorer of the sect , and for this is also referred to as Rennyo Shonin...
hung his surplice (蓮如上人袈裟懸の松 Rennyo-Shōnin Kesakake-no-Matsu) - Monument where Toyotomi HideyoriToyotomi Hideyoriwas the son and designated successor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the general who first united all of Japan. His mother, Yodo-dono, was the niece of Oda Nobunaga....
and his mother Yodo-donoYodo-Donoor was a prominently-placed figure in late-Sengoku period. She was a concubine and second wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was then the most powerful man in Japan. She also became the mother of his son and successor, Hideyori. She was also known as Lady Chacha...
committed suicide(豊臣秀頼 淀殿ら自刃の碑)
Shrines and temples
- Hōkoku ShrineHōkoku Shrine (Osaka)is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, Japan. It is one of several Toyokuni shrines built in honor of shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is part of the Osaka Castle Park.-History:Hōkoku Shrine was ordered built in the 12th year of Meiji by the Emperor....
(豊國神社 also Toyokuni-jinja)- Stone Garden (秀石庭 Syuseki-Tei)
- Ikukunitama Shrine branch (生國魂神社お旅所 Ikukunitama-jinja Otabi-Sho)
- 無縁仏回向供養塔
Cultural and sports facilities
- Osaka Castle HallOsaka-jo Hall, or Osaka Castle Hall, is a multi-purpose arena, in the Kyōbashi area, of Osaka, Japan. The hall opened in 1983 and can seat up to 16,000 people...
(大阪城ホール Osaka-jō Hall) - Osaka Castle open air concert hall (大阪城音楽堂 Osaka-jō Ongakudō)
- Martial art training centre (修道館 Shudo-Kan)
- Baseball field and Athletic field (太陽の広場 Taiyō-no-Hiroba)
- Japanese archery Kyudo training field (弓道場 Kyudō-Jō)
- Osaka International Peace CenterOsaka International Peace Center (Peace Osaka)The , also known as , is a museum established in August 1981 based in the city of Osaka, Japan. It focuses on the destruction of the city during World War II and the broader themes of the tragedy of war and the importance of peace. There are exhibits on Japan's role in the war and its invasion of...
(大阪国際平和センター Osaka Kokusai Heiwa Centre)
Public park facilities
- Nishi-no-Maru Garden (西ノ丸庭園 Nishi-no-Maru Teien)
- Osaka Government Guest House (大阪迎賓館 Osaka Geihin-Kan)
- Japanese Tea Room (豊松庵 Toyomatsu-An)
- Japanese Garden (日本庭園 Nihon-Teien)
- Plum Garden (梅林 Bairin)
- Peach garden (桃園 Momoen)
- Citizen's Forest (市民の森 Shimin-no-Mori)
- Memorial Forest (記念樹の森 Kinenju-no-Mori)
- Waseda Forest (早稲田の森 Waseda-no-Mori)
- Forest of Recollections (思い出の森 Omoide-no-Mori)
- Marked Stone Place (刻印石広場 Kokuin-Seki-Hiroba)
- Fountain
Government facilities
- City Government, Eastern Area Park Facilities Maintenance Office
- City Water Company, Ōte-Mae Water Supply Facilities (大手前配水池,大手前配水場 高地区ポンプ場)
Imperial Japanese Army facilities
- Former Headquarters of 4th Division of Imperial Japanese ArmyImperial Japanese Army-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
- Former Chemical laboratory building of Osaka Imperial Arsenal
Other
- Education Tower (教育塔 Kyoiku-Tou)
- 大阪社会運動顕彰塔
- Osaka Castle Port (大阪城港) for Osaka Suijō BusOsaka Suijo BusThe is a ship operating company in Osaka. The company belongs to Keihan Group. Founded in 1983, the company operates water buses on Ōkawa River and Dōtonbori Canal, an excursion cruise ship on the Port of Osaka, and a restaurant ship on Ōkawa River. The services include public lines listed below,...
Activities in the park
- plumPlumA plum or gage is a stone fruit tree in the genus Prunus, subgenus Prunus. The subgenus is distinguished from other subgenera in the shoots having a terminal bud and solitary side buds , the flowers in groups of one to five together on short stems, and the fruit having a groove running down one...
blossom viewing : January - March - peachPeachThe peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
blossom viewing : March - cherry blossom viewing : April
Access
Temmabashi StationTemmabashi Station
is a train station on the Keihan Electric Railway and Osaka Municipal Subway located in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan.-Lines:Keihan Electric Railway* Keihan Main Line* Nakanoshima LineOsaka Municipal Subway* Tanimachi Line -Keihan Railway:...
, Tanimachi Yonchōme Station
Tanimachi Yonchome Station
Tanimachi Yonchome Station is a train station of the Osaka Municipal Subway located in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan, and the station is also called "".-Layout:...
, Morinomiya Station
Morinomiya Station
is a railway and subway station in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan.- Lines :* West Japan Railway Company ** Osaka Loop Line* Osaka Municipal Subway** Chūō Line ** Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line...
and Ōsakajōkōen Station
Osakajokoen Station
is a train station on the West Japan Railway Company Osaka Loop Line in Jōtō-ku, Osaka, Japan. The station name translates as Osaka Castle Park.-Layout:There are two side platforms with two tracks on the ground level.-Surroundings:*Osaka Castle...
are near to the park.