Osaka Castle original buildings walk
The Main Tower is a 1931 rebuild, but 13 older structures in the park are real Edo-period originals, all national Important Cultural Properties. This route from the park's official model course takes you past every one of them and ends at the Main Tower.
The dotted line joins the stops in order. It is not the exact path, so follow the signs in the park. Tap a number for walking directions.
The route
Start at Otemon Gate, near Tanimachi 4-chome Station. Tap a name to see it on the map.
Otemon Gate
The castle's front gate. Built in 1628, repaired in 1848, and taken apart and rebuilt for repairs in 1967. Also on the list: the stretches of wall to its south and north.
Tamon-yagura Turret
A long turret built over the gate passage, with a heavy iron-plated door. The only tamon-style turret left at Osaka Castle. About 14.7 m high. First built around 1628, burned after a lightning strike, and rebuilt in 1848. The wall north of it is also protected.
Sengan-yagura Turret
Two-story corner turret guarding the north side of Otemon. Built in 1620, one of the two oldest buildings in the castle. The name is said to come from Oda Nobunaga's army, which struggled to take this corner when it besieged the Ishiyama Hongan-ji temple that stood here before the castle.
Inui-yagura Turret
Corner turret at the northwest of the Nishinomaru area. L-shaped, with both floors the same size. Built in 1620, as old as Sengan-yagura.
Ensho-gura (Gunpowder Storehouse)
Where black powder was stored. Walls, floor and ceiling are cut granite and plaster to stop fire getting in, and the stone walls are about 2.4 m thick. Built in 1685. No other gunpowder store of this kind survives in Japan.
Rokuban-yagura Turret
Seven corner turrets once stood along the south moat. This one and Ichiban-yagura are the two left. Built in 1628.
Ichiban-yagura Turret
The easternmost of those seven turrets, guarding the side of Tamatsukuri Gate. Rebuilt into its current form in 1668.
Sakuramon Gate
Burned in the Boshin War of 1868. The army rebuilt it in 1887 in the Edo-period style. The gate to the inner citadel and the Main Tower.
Kinzo (Treasure House)
The Tokugawa shogunate kept gold and silver here. Built in 1751 with two floors, made single-story in 1837. Look for the white grid pattern on the lower walls.
Kimmeisui Well
A roofed well on the base of the small tower, right beside the Main Tower. Repairs in 1969 showed it dates from 1626, the same year as the Tokugawa main tower.
Main Tower (finish)
The third main tower on this site, built in 1931 with money from the people of Osaka. Not one of the 13, but a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and designated by Osaka City. The museum inside holds one of Japan's best collections on the Toyotomi period.
Before you go
- Walking past all of these is free. The Main Tower, the Nishinomaru Garden and some turrets charge for entry.
- Tamon-yagura, Sengan-yagura and Inui-yagura open inside on set days. In autumn 2026: Tamon-yagura and Sengan-yagura, weekends and holidays until November 29. Turrets special opening
- Aoyamon Gate, Gokuraku-bashi Bridge and Kita-shikiri Gate look old too, but they were rebuilt after the war from guesswork, as there wasn't enough record of the originals. That is why they are not on the list.
- The Main Tower is last on the route, and last entry is 17:30. Start early enough. Hours and prices
Questions
How many original buildings are left at Osaka Castle?
Thirteen structures at Osaka Castle are national Important Cultural Properties, all from the Edo period (1620 to 1751): gates, turrets, walls, a gunpowder store, a treasure house and a well. The Main Tower itself is a 1931 rebuild.
What is the oldest building at Osaka Castle?
Sengan-yagura and Inui-yagura, two corner turrets built in 1620.
Is the Otemon Gate original?
Yes. Otemon was built in 1628 and is an Important Cultural Property, as are the walls on either side of it and the Tamon-yagura turret behind it.
Written by Kyoya Fujioka. Route and dates from the Osaka Castle Park official model course (Important Cultural Properties course).