Osaka Castle and its surrounding park are absolutely stunning, especially in spring when the plum and cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It’s a peaceful spot to walk, take photos, or just enjoy nature. You’ll also find snack stands around for a quick bite.
If you’re interested in the history or want panoramic views, it’s worth going inside—just be sure to buy your tickets online to skip the long lines. That said, going inside isn’t essential to enjoy the experience.
I recommend visiting later in the day to catch golden hour and sunset—the views of the city from the park are beautiful at that time. Definitely worth a visit when in Osaka!
Osaka Castle is definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Osaka. The castle itself is stunning, with its impressive architecture and beautiful surroundings. The park around the castle is also a great place to walk around, especially during cherry blossom season. Inside the castle, there’s a museum that tells the history of the castle and the city, which was pretty interesting. The view from the top of the castle is amazing—you can see the entire city from up there. It’s a peaceful spot in the middle of a busy city, and a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more about Osaka’s history and enjoy some beautiful scenery.
Impressive and majestic.
Surrounding the castle is a beautiful park, with rows of cherry blossoms in full bloom in April. The weather was perfect for a stroll around Osaka Castle. Although it was crowded with tourists, the vibe remained pleasant and relaxing. We didn’t buy tickets to go inside the castle but simply walked around it. It looked magnificent and grand from the outside.
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Osaka.
This was our second time visiting Osaka Castle, and it was just as beautiful as we remembered—especially during cherry blossom season! The park surrounding the castle is stunning, and it’s honestly worth the visit even if you don’t plan to go inside.
One big tip: buy your tickets in advance if you’re planning to go inside the castle, especially during peak periods like cherry blossom season. I bought our tickets the night before, and I’m so glad I did. The line to buy tickets on-site was over an hour long! Having tickets already saved us so much time.
That said, going inside the castle is optional. If you’re not super into history, you can skip the ticket and just enjoy a lovely stroll through Osaka Castle Park. The view of the castle from outside is iconic, and the park itself is lively and full of great spots for photos and picnics.
However, if you do go inside, you’ll get to explore the history of the castle through museum-style exhibits and also enjoy a really nice panoramic view of the city from the top floor. It’s a cool experience, but not essential unless you’re really curious about the history or want that viewpoint.
Overall, highly recommend visiting—just plan ahead if you want to go inside!
Wonderful castle with ALL the info you can think of about the Summer War and the rebuilding of the castle. Many exhibits of old letters, armor, and more. No photos allowed.
The elevator doesn't go up all to the top - you have to walk a set of stairs to reach it. There is a small souvenir store and a fantastic view!
