Hey friends! This week we’re talking about one the places I enjoyed the most. Osaka Castle! The grounds and the architecture were beautiful. I would say it’s a must see, even if it’s just the outside.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle, as we currently know it, was build in 1931 and houses a museum for not only the castle’s history, but it’s creator (in 1583) Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The history surrounding the castle is interesting, so I’d suggest looking into it more if that’s your thing. The grounds surrounding it are gorgeous. If they’re in season the cherry blossom trees make it a good place to sit a spell.
This info is from my experiences and the website for the castle. Credit where credit is due.
Accessibility of Osaka Castle
Parking
I didn’t see any parking available here. We took public transportation from subway station M17 (Yodoyabashi) to M18 (Honmachi) and then M18 to C18 (Tanimachi-Yonchome) and walked the rest of the way to the castle. Here are the directions on the website and where I found the map.
Bathrooms
There are public bathrooms in the castle. I can’t remember which floor, but it was somewhere around 3F and 5F. They were pretty small and I couldn’t get pictures because there were so many people. I wasn’t going to be a creep. 🤣 The stall I used had very little room to move, so it wouldn’t have been good for mobility devices. However, given the other accommodations, I would assume there was an accessible stall. Pictured below, there is a hand rail around the sink to help with standing and balance, which is something I haven’t seen before. I think it’s a great idea and should be utilized in more spaces.
My Experience
Osaka Castle is a popular destination, so it should be no surprise that it was super busy when we were there. The walk up was difficult for me as it had both steps and incline. Residual motion sickness from the plane ride didn’t help matters either. Once I got inside, I was able to take the elevator to the fifth floor. Technically, the elevator went to the 8th floor, but for some reason it was posted that we could only ride to the 5th. Not sure why, because one of the guides said I could to the 8th. 🤷♀️
Either way, I explored the fifth floor and then just took the stairs down to each floor. It was pretty cool, but the crowds got to be overwhelming for me. That being said, I got through it pretty quickly and then found a place to sit with some members of my group. After visiting the gift shop for my stamp, that is.
If you’re looking to explore the grounds more, the inclines and declines are HUGE. I absolutely had issues navigating them. Fun fact: If you have a friend that is willing to give you a boost up the hill, it totally helps. 😂 One of my new friends pushed me up the hill and we made it faster and it felt like it used less of my energy. New tip to add to the list, I guess.
My rating
If I had to throw a rating on this activity, I would say it was moderate to hard. The castle itself is fairly accessible. There is an elevator for people who are in need and the areas to see artifacts are flat and wide enough. Crowds are an issue mobility wise, since congested areas are hard to navigate, but there is ample space to move. For example, the halls are wide enough to navigate with wheels or other mobility devices, but when the amount of bodies in an area take up the whole hall, it’s hard to move. Also adding to the moderate to hard rating is the grounds. Like I said above, it is difficult terrain.
Getting to the grounds from the subway station did include some stairs, however, escalators and elevators are an option in most places. You have to keep an eye out for them in some areas of the station. The route from the station was a bit of a trek and I did get short of breath, especially climbing the stairs to enter the castle. I did see there was a sign for handicapped access, but I didn’t see it so I can’t speak about it. My group did walk a little fast at times, but if you can go at your pace, it isn’t a bad jaunt.
Anything else you’d like to know? Comments or concerns? Post them below!
Unfortunately, Cardybear did not come on the Japan adventures. I wanted to bring him, but he takes up my whole backpack. He was definitely there in spirit though.
Be safe out there and remember your passport! Seeyalaterbye 💜
Also, if you feel called to help a sista out with her travels, check this out!
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