Osaka Castle Park In-Depth Exploration | Travel Through 400 Years of Architectural History

| Travel through 400 years of architectural history. 🌞⛲️Osaka Castle Park Classic Half-Day Itinerary (3 hours): Gokuraku Bridge → Engraved Stone Plaza → Main Tower → Sengan Turret → Nishinomaru Garden → Time Capsule 🎑🍱New Matsuzaka (Umeda 32nd Street Branch) New Matsuzaka is a long-standing Japanese teppanyaki restaurant since 1956, with nearly 70 years of heritage. Reservations are required in advance. Please let me know in the comments section if you need to know how to book. We booked their limited set menu, which includes about 20 dishes, a welcome drink, Wagyu beef from Hyogo and Hokkaido, various sashimi, lobster🦞, desserts, and rice with tea. I wish I had more stomachs. Introduction to the Core Buildings of Osaka Castle ❶ Main Tower - A Symbol of Intertwined Time and Space The first main tower was built at the end of the 16th century and was once the tallest wooden building in Japan. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The existing building was restored in 1931 using modern techniques. Inside, there is a museum displaying cultural relics from the Warring States period to the Edo period. The 8-story structure blends tradition and innovation, and the top-floor observation deck offers a panoramic view of Osaka. The 5th-floor exhibition hall displays the screen painting "Summer Campaign of Osaka." The 7th floor has a restored golden tea room, recreating the magnificent craftsmanship of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The golden Shachihoko (tiger-headed, fish-bodied ornaments) on the eaves symbolize guardianship, and the "Goshichi no Kiri" crest on the roof tiles is an important historical symbol. ❷ Otemon Gate and Sengan Turret - Edo Defensive Wisdom - Mystery of the giant stones: The "Takoishi" (Octopus Stone) at Otemon Gate, weighing hundreds of tons, demonstrates ancient transportation wisdom. The thick walls and special shooting holes of the Sengan Turret reflect military defense concepts. - Craftsman spirit: Observe the "Engraved Stones" on the stone walls to see the family marks left by craftsmen from various places, such as plum blossoms and crane patterns, like silent letters from the Warring States period. ❸ Hokoku Shrine - A Place of Humanistic Memory The shrine is dedicated to the historical figure Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The bronze torii gate in the courtyard depicts scenes of life in the 16th century. The "Sanko Shrine" on the small path behind is known for its prayers for marriage, and the weeping cherry blossoms in spring are like snow. ❹ Time Capsule - A Dialogue with the Future The "Time Capsule" buried during the 1970 World Expo contains 2,098 representative items from the 20th century and is planned to be opened 5,000 years later, showcasing humanity's romantic expectations for the future. Evolution of Architectural Aesthetics - Momoyama period: The initial construction pursued magnificence and splendor, with gold foil roof tiles and painted beams and pillars showcasing power. - Edo reconstruction: Black lacquer and gold decorations were used in contrast to emphasize majesty, and the moat layout adjustments reflect functional optimization. - Modern rebirth: The 1931 reconstruction incorporated facilities such as elevators and glass windows, becoming a model of the fusion of history and modernity. Night Cherry Blossom Special Itinerary (April only): Take a moat cruise to admire the illuminated main tower, have a picnic under the 300 cherry trees in Nishinomaru Garden, and experience the dreamy interweaving of night cherry blossoms and ancient castle walls. I went at the end of April and missed this. I look forward to seeing pictures shared by my friends in the comments section.