Osaka Castle is the most popular castle in Japan among foreign tourists throughout 2025. Not only superior among Asian tourists, this castle also occupies the top position in the group of Western tourists.
Citing Kyodo News, Thursday, April 23, the results of Navitime Japan Co.'s analysis showed that Osaka Castle ranked first in the list of Japanese castles most visited by foreign tourists from January to December 2025. The ranking refers to a list of the top 100 castles in Japan.
The Tokyo-based company compiled the analysis using GPS data and survey responses from users of the Japan Travel by Navitime app, a travel service for foreign tourists. What was compared was the number of visits and the length of time tourists spent in the castle area.
In the group of Asian tourists, which is dominated by visitors from Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, and China, the position after Osaka Castle is occupied by Nagoya Castle and Kumamoto Castle. Meanwhile, in the group of Western tourists, which comes from the United States, Australia, and France, the top three are filled with Osaka Castle, Nijo Castle in Kyoto, and Himeji Castle.
The data also shows a different pattern of travel. Hirosaki Castle, Okayama, and Matsuyama are quite popular among Asian tourists, but do not make the top 10 in the group of Western tourists. According to Navitime Japan, the high interest of Asian tourists in the castles is likely influenced by easier access from regional airports with direct international flights.
On the other hand, Western tourists visit Kastel Odawara, Kanazawa, and Matsumoto more. The location is close to tourist routes that are already crowded with tourists, such as the Golden Route connecting Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Mount Fuji, and the Three-Star Route connecting Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, and Matsumoto.
The popularity of Osaka Castle is also seen from the number of visitors. Based on provisional data from the Osaka City Government released in April, the number of visitors in fiscal year 2025 exceeded 2.8 million people, the highest in history. In the same year, Osaka also hosted the World Exposition from April to October.
Osaka Castle in Chuo District has a long history. The building was originally built in the late 16th century at the behest of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. After the Toyotomi family lost to Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1615, the castle was burned in a major siege, although its foundations remained. The building that was later rebuilt was also burned after being struck by lightning in 1665, including its main tower.
The tower that stands today is the result of reconstruction in 1931. Major repairs to address the damage were completed in 1997, including strengthening earthquake resistance and restoration of the outer walls. In April 2025, a museum exhibiting part of the original stone walls from the Toyotomi era also opened near the tower.
According to the search location of users of the Navitime Japan navigation service, Osaka Castle is also among the most popular tourist destinations in Japan for foreign tourists in 2025. Its position is in fourth place, below Universal Studios Japan, Nara Park, and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto.
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