Ending the Sakura Season Trip at Osaka Castle Park

We left Hiroshima in the morning and took a trip to Osaka for our flight back home to Manila. We had a whole day to spend before our flight so we did an afternoon side trip to Osaka Castle Park.

Inside the Osaka Castle Park is the Osaka Castle Tower. This castle possesses a subtle but classic regal charm that is characteristic of 16th century Japanese structures. Its unique feature is its gilded exterior and interior designs, truly befitting as a home of a feudal lord.

Back in 2015, on my first visit, we headed straight to Osaka Castle Tower itself. There was a museum that displays the details and artifacts of lives during the Toyotomi rule. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was the feudal lord who established the Osaka Castle. It was built mainly to serve as a unifying symbol and political stronghold of his rule in Japan at that time. 

From outside, the Osaka Castle Tower cannot be seen because the whole of Osaka Castle Park is a hectares-wide ground. We had to pass several layers of massive stone walls, then cross several wide moats, and enter through large gates, then walk some more in wide gardens before we reached the Osaka Castle Tower itself. The Park’s layout is impressive, especially knowing that the entire ground was designed to protect the Osaka Castle Tower from attacking enemies. 

Visiting the Osaka Castle Park involves extensive walking so it is advisable to wear comfortable footwear and put on some sunblock. Those with walking or mobility problems are advised to bring their wheelchairs, crutches, or canes to help them go around the area. 

It can be overwhelming to explore the entire Osaka Castle Park in one visit so I will share two areas worth visiting. First of course is the Osaka Castle Tower. Its features I’ve shared earlier. The second is the Nishinomaru Garden, also known as the Western citadel.

Nishinomaru Garden is a stretch of lawn garden with hundreds of cherry blossom trees. This garden park sets a romantic atmosphere during Sakura and Fall seasons. It also has a good view of the Osaka Castle Tower, which is perfect for taking pictures. 

During our second visit in 2023, we chose to skip seeing the Castle Tower since we all had seen it before. Instead, we seized the chance to see the Nishinomaru Garden being Sakura season at that time of our visit. We spent the afternoon strolling around the area and took pictures and videos with the cherry blossoms and the Osaka Castle Tower. 

Nishinomaru Garden’s beauty did not disappoint with all the cherry blossom trees blooming with their flowers. It was a lovely sight to see families, friends, and lovers blissfully having their hanami. As for me, it was enough to experience walking around and sitting under the cherry blossoms. We also took pictures of, and with, the gracefully decorated Osaka Castle Tower. I honestly can’t think of a better way to end our trip in Japan on a Sakura season.