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Ozakajo, or the Osaka castle is one of the innumerable forts that dotted Japan in the feudal era. The castle began its foundation in 1583 when Toyotomi Hideyoshi wanted his fort to be an epitome of the Toyotomi regime itself. It is an eight story mansion settled on top of a stone platform. The roofs are crafted in gold patterns and the black and gold curves standing in contrast to the white building make the castle an impressive sight. Hideyoshi being a dexterous warrior, had designed the castle with moats and walls to curb external attacks. The castle was however, demolished by the Tokugawa clan and even after it was rebuilt in 1620, the building could not evade the lightening which scorched the castle completely in 1665. The castle, as it stands today, is a 1931 reconstruction and more improvisations in 1997 have given it a different finery. The interiors of the castle have been transformed into a museum preserving the history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. An observatory on the top floor looks down on a vast expanse and the castle grounds are a delightful spot for the cherry blossom festival. The Osaka castle had been a major catalyst in the unification of Japan in the Azuchi-Momoyama period and is today serving as a major tourist attraction of the country. Tourist destinations in Osaka: The castle and its museum and observatory are of course the principal attractions of Osaka. The city has some other attractions in store for the visitors who can visit the Hokoku-Jinja Shrine and the Syudokan for martial arts demonstrations. The remnants of ruins of Naniwa Palace are also worth a visit. The Sumiyoshi Head Shrine is devoted to the Shinto god of voyages, martial arts, and poetry. Ohatsu Tenjin is a bewitching place and takes one back to the ancient days when parted lovers killed themselves on those very stones. Nestled between the sand banks of two rivers, Nakanoshima Park has Osaka's largest rose garden. With a network of rivers and bridges, Osaka gives a delightful ride on the water bus or Aqua Liner. How to reach Osaka: Osaka is linked by the Shinkansen trains which travel to the north of Osaka. From there the Midosuji subway line would take one to the heart of the city. If you are traveling by local trains, frequent trains from Kobe, Kyoto and Nara would take you to Umeda and Namba. The international flights to Osaka land at Kansai International Airport, while the domestic ones land at Itami Airport which is linked to the city by the monorail.
Overnight buses leave from Tokyo. Ferry services are also available from Busan and Shanghai.
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