Japan - Osaka Castle (Osakajo)

The construction of Osaka Castle (Osakajo) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time. It was destroyed and reconstructed. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility. The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats.