Osaka Castle Park

The observation platform offers breathtaking views of the city, and the museum inside provides a look into the castle’s past. I visited in September, and the waiting time was around 20 minutes, which was quite reasonable. The queue moved quickly, and the staff were efficient and friendly. The surrounding park is beautiful.

Frankly, it looks incredibly beautiful from the outside. But the inside has nothing to do with its exterior. It's a museum. If I remember correctly, it's 800 yen per person and taking photos inside is prohibited. They close the doors at 16:30. The last people to enter are allowed to stay inside for 30-40 minutes. The castle itself didn't mean much to me, but the surroundings and atmosphere are beautiful, you can take beautiful photos.

A very beautiful sight for those that wish to visit later in the day past sunset. The crowd dies down and there is a sense of serenity and mystery about the place. The lights stayed on until about 10PM and provided a stellar view of the castle and its surroundings. The gardens and walks around the moats are gorgeous and provide lots of educational history for those interested.

The impressive architecture and fascinating history behind this place make it a must-see, especially if you're a fan of Shogun. Even if you haven't seen the show, both experiences are highly recommended. Afterwards, unwind with a pint or enjoy a leisurely lunch on the neighbouring rooftop terrace!

Getting there is quite easy & straight forward. I feel there could be more assistance with tickets since there are two lines one with online ticket & one purchasing onsite. This might be confusing for the first time. Overall the castle is well equipped & you get to learn the history quite well & like the audio-visual part. The views at the top is breathtaking.