Osaka Castle Area

Osaka Castle and Osaka Castle Park form the most attractive part of Osaka and should be high on any visitor’s list. Nearby, there are some great restaurants and hotels, making it a good place to stay.

[Osaka Castle Area]

Sitting about a kilometer to the east of Osaka’s two downtowns (Kita and Minami), the Osaka Castle area is the tourist heart of the city. Built around the awe-inspiring tower of Osaka Castle, this green and spacious expanse provides a pleasant escape from the otherwise crowded and concrete expanses of the rest of the city. Easily reached by the JR Osaka Loop Line, two subway lines and the private Keihan Line (good for those coming from Kyoto), this area is good for a morning or afternoon in Osaka. In the Tanimachi area to the west of the castle, you’ll find lots of reasonably priced hotels and some excellent restaurants, making this a decent place in which to be based.

Osaka Holiday Essentials

Osaka Castle Area Highlights

• Osaka Castle
• Osaka Castle Park
• Osaka Museum of History

[Osaka Castle: kawinna sukphon / Shutterstock.com]

Things To See And Do In Osaka Castle Area

• Osaka Castle (castle)
  Osaka Castle (known as Osaka-jo in Japanese) is the city’s premier tourist attraction, and with good reason: It’s a stunning sight, rising up and commanding the skyline of the entire east side of the city. The original castle was completed in 1583 and was attacked and destroyed several times, most recently during air raids during WWII. The present castle is a concrete reconstruction that was finished in 1995.

[Osaka Castle Park: cowardlion / Shutterstock.com]

• Osaka Castle Park (park)
  The spacious park surrounding Osaka Castle (known as Osakajo-koen in Japanese) is superb and well worth a visit, even if you don’t intend to enter the castle. There are often street performers and free concerts on the grounds of the park. When the cherries blossom in late March and early April, the park is mobbed with people having hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties. It’s a lot of fun and we recommend joining the fun.

[Osaka Museum of History: Puripat Lertpunyaroj / Shutterstock.com]

• Osaka Museum of History (museum)
  At the southwest corner of Osaka Castle Park and very close to Tanimachiyonchome Station, on the Tanimachi subway line, this history museum makes a nice add-on to a castle visit. It’s not the best organized or best signposted (in English, at least) museum around, but it’s definitely worth a visit for those who want to learn a bit more about Osaka. The museum occupies the 7th to 10th floors of the sail-shaped building near the park.
• Naniwa-no-Miya Palace Ruins (ruins)
  Looking for another urban green space that’s not too crowded? A short walk from Osaka Castle leads you to the Naniwa-no-Miya Palace Ruins - arguably Osaka’s best secret park. It’s a great place to kick back and relax.

Places To Eat In Osaka Castle Area

• Shuhari (soba; moderate)
  In Tanimachi 4-chome, not too far from Osaka Castle Park, this soba specialist serves excellent soba noodles and tempura in relaxes surroundings. The fresh wasabi, which you grate yourself, is a really nice touch. Look for the wooden steps at the entrance. Recommended!
• Nishihara (unagi; moderate)
  A short walk east of Osaka Castle Park, this unagi (eel) specialist serves a mouth-watering version of this classic Japanese dish. Unadon (unagi over rice) costs around ¥‎2000 at lunch. Look for the kanji for eel on the sign: 鰻.
• Menya Ageha (ramen; budget)
  For tasty and meaty ramen within walking distance of Osaka Castle Park, try this popular local eatery. It’s casual and easy to enter. The name is written in English on the sign.
• Mannenkare (curry; budget)
  This unusual shop specializes in tonkotsu (pork bone) curry (it’s better than it sounds). If you’re a fan of Japanese curry rice, then you’ll probably love this place. Look for the yellow sign with the name written in English in small letters on it. It’s not too far from Osaka Castle Park.
• Tokumasa Udon (udon; budget)
  Near the southeast corner of Osaka Castle Park, this restaurant serves a mean bowl of curry udon, a spicy and filling dish that’s perfect for powering you through a day of sightseeing. Look for 得正 (Tokumasa) on the sign.

Eat Like A Local In The Osaka Castle Area

Want an even more adventurous eating experience where you mingle with Osaka locals? Try these places.

• Yatagarasu UDON
  Looking for a bowl of curry udon to warm your heart and soul - without the queues? When you’re near Osaka Castle, head just slightly further afield to Yatagarasu UDON in Tanimachi Yonchome.
• Endo Sushi Kyobashi
  If you’re looking for decent, affordable sushi, Endo Sushi Kyobashi is the place for you. It’s a great pitstop if you’re travelling between Osaka and Kyoto via Kyobashi Station!

Places To Stay In Osaka Castle Area

Budget Hotels In Osaka Castle Area

• Hotel the Lutheran
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Situated just a minute’s walk from Tanimachi-Yonchome Station, Hotel the Lutheran is a good and inexpensive pick for those wanting to visit Osaka Castle. Rooms are larger than average for Japan! It’s also a good base for exploring the rest of the city.

Family Hotels In Osaka Castle Area

• Hotel Keihan Kyobashi Grande
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  This hotel is great value for money. Rooms here are larger than average for Japan and well-kept. A shopping mall and train station are located right below, with myriad dining options. What else could you ask for?

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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