Osaka Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide

After passing by the impressive Otemon Gate, you will reach one of the oldest remainings of Osaka Castle. Sengan-Yagura Turret is dating from the Edo period and bears a fabulous story. During the Sengoku period, the ancestor of the current Osaka Castle was occupied by Ishiyama Hongan-Ji, which was a fortress-temple created by the Ikkō-Ikki warriors. In 1576, the famous Oda Nobunaga and his army were facing the fortress. The turret was so well prepared they couldn't pass its defense! Angered, Oda Nobunaga promised a lot of money ("sen-gan-mon" in Japanese) to the one who will conquer the turret. This story named the turret, which became in 1620 an Important Cultural Asset of Japan.

Located inside Osaka Castle Park, Hokoku Shrine is known for holding wedding ceremonies. It is also a beautiful shrine full of cherry trees, with an impressive torii gate. The place is photogenic during May-April as the cherry trees are in full bloom. But Hokoku Shrine is also a place to pray for luck and life advancement. Indeed, the Shrine has been built in honor of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a famous samurai, general and politician who raised from commoner to ruler. Here, you can purchase omamori protection charms with the Toyotomi family crest. Take the time to enjoy this praying spot as well as looking at the majestic statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi!

Here is a unique museum to discover. The Illusion Museum in Miraiza Osaka building is close to Osaka Castle and yet thousands of years from it! You will enter a world of illusions and tricks, learning much more about the history of illusion. You will look at old illusion artifacts used by magicians from all around the world. Also, you can have the opportunity to take part in magic shows yourself, enjoying trick art projection mapping or 3D visuals! At last, you can witness a magic show performed by one of the magicians of the museum.