OSAKA-JO

I took the train to Osaka-jo (castle) today. One of my many goals over the next 2 years is to visit all 26 Japan castles. Each castle is unique and today some are still in there original forms as others are reconstructed and turned into modern museums. Osaka-jo is a modern museum with 8 floors of historic artifacts.

It is only a 15 minute train ride from Osaka Station (Umeda). I suggest you research about the history before you go. There are not many English explanations on the exhibits but it is still an attraction that should not be missed.

Like everything else, there is a lot of walking. The area has a huge park with a bunch of shrines and structures deemed "Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government".

The whole experience should take less than half a day.

Directions: From Osaka Station (Umeda) take the JR West Loop Line to Osakajokoen. It's a 15 minute train ride if you catch the train going in the right direction. Just make sure you get on the "Loop Line", it goes in a "loop".