Osaka’s castle is right around the corner, so it was an easy first target. The castle grounds are massive, several huge moats, immense defense walls, a huge garden… and in the middle this gem of a castle.

It played a major role in Japanese history, notably in uniting the island, and in the fierce fight between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa families.

Unfortunately, the castle itself did not have much luck. It was constantly being destroyed and rebuilt in its history.

So what you see on these pictures is a 1930 concrete reconstruction based on a number of images, but it’s not the real thing.

It houses a museum inside, with many exhibits from the period, from uniforms to letters, and traces the history of the building and Japan.

However, the museum has an 80s modern charm to it, and I was disappointed at first, expecting some refined wooden construction…

Then again, at least it is honest in what it is, and what it isn’t (anymore).

A wooden construction inside that just pretended to be original would be a fake.

The tower was lost several times, but Osaka at least wanted to reconstruct it to its place towering over the city.

Well, towering… Due to modern construction around it, it is actually pretty hidden. Still, it’s absolutely worth a visit.