Osaka

05/07/2014

Ultimate Guide to Osaka Castle: 07

Storehouse for gold and a time capsule

Por Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Now, you are finally standing in front of the main tower of Osaka Castle. Let's look at the magnificent castle closely...

...there are lots of people at the top of the main tower enjoying the view...

...Toyotomi Clan's family crest, Paulownia of 5-7, and the crest of chrysanthemum in gold...beautiful!

The original main tower of Osaka Castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi featured rich embellishments. When the main tower was restored in 1931, the embellishments of tigers watching for game were brought back to life after 316 years. Today, eight tigers of four kinds are carved in relief and decorate the walls keeping watch over the neighborhood

You may want to go into the main tower right away, but before doing so let's stroll around the open space in front of the castle...there might be something interesting here. There! What is this?

This is called, 'Kinzo Storehouse', an important cultural property of Japan. This storehouse was built in 1751 by the Tokugawa Shogunate to hold a large amount of gold and silver coins...a treasure house!

Although this is an important cultural property, no one was paying attention to it...well, I can understand that, it's not that interesting to look at an EMPTY treasure house!

The main tower of Osaka Castle from a different angle

There were some beautiful stones displayed in the open space in front of the main tower

The main tower viewed from the open space with stones and trees...ummm...people are disturbing the scenery...

...take a look at it without obstacles...looking better?

The main tower viewed through tree branches

What is this? A Time Capsule?

The sign says this is a gift to mankind 5000 years from now.　It looks like inside the time capsule there are pine tree and Japanese cypress seeds. No. 1 capsule is scheduled to be opened in the year 6970. No. 2 capsule was first opened in 2000 and is scheduled to be opened every 100 years until the year 6970 (the next opening will be in 2100). I'm not sure whether this is the Time Capsule No. 1 or 2, whichever the cases I'll be dead before their opening time!

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step as you explore the Osaka Castle and the Osaka Castle Park. The seventh leg of the journey begins at the open space in front of the main tower of Osaka Castle. You are finally standing in front of the magnificent castle! But before going inside, why don't you look around and explore the open space first? I'm sure you'll be too exhausted to explore it after visiting the eight stories of the main tower, so when you still have energy left, it's better to explore the open space. There are some curious things here, such as the Storehouse for Gold, which is a designated important cultural property, beautiful stones and a Time Capsule. Enjoy! For further guidance, please refer to the links below.

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Ultimate Guide: Osaka Castle

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Takako Sakamoto

Por Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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