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| Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Osaka Castle was featured in two Godzilla movies, Godzilla Raids Again (1956) (a.k.a. Gigantis The Fire Monster) and Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). It was in Godzilla Raids Again that Osaka Castle was demolished during the final battle between Godzilla and Anguirus.
Today, Osaka Castle is one of Osaka, Japan's biggest tourist attractions. I have visited Osaka Castle twice (in 2004 and 2015).
Japan Visitor has an article on Osaka Castle's history.
It begins with:
Osaka Castle History 大阪城
Osaka Castle was Japan's finest castle when it was constructed, and, although rebuilt in concrete, is still Osaka's most interesting sightseeing spot, and a must-see if you are in Osaka, together with the beautiful Osaka Castle Park that surrounds it - home also to the pleasant, airy Jo-Terrace Osaka restaurant and dining complex.The article is interesting as it also goes into some detail on the stones of the walls surrounding the castle.
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| Above, a section of the stone walls surrounding the castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The massive stones, planed nearly paper-smooth, the largest weighing about 130 tons, were transported from all over Japan, but principally from the islands of the Inland Sea. The overcoming of the difficulties involved in quarrying, floating and dragging them such distances speaks eloquently of the levels of organization and economic development involved. The Osaka Castle Stones Michi No Eki on Shodoshima has a museum dedicated to the tools used to mine the stones, transport them as well as some of the original stones themselves. Construction of the (wooden) castle itself, however, was the preserve of the Shogun.
To read more, go here.
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