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Osaka-Jo Gozabune
Tour the inner moat of Osaka Castle on an elegant sightseeing boat.
Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a feudal lord of the 16th century. The castle is characterized by its splendid fortifications befitting a base for unifying the country and is now surrounded by a park centering on the restored castle tower.
The "Osaka-Jo Gozabune," a sightseeing boat recreated in the park's inner moat using illustrations and other materials from the past, is in operation almost every day, except during the year-end and New Year holidays. The 20-minute mini-cruise departs from the Gokurakubashi Bridge on the north side of Osaka Castle. It is well known for its elegant atmosphere while looking up at the majestic castle tower from the water. The privilege of this cruise is to see up close the stone walls built by order of the Tokugawa- Shogunate after Lord Hideyoshi. The stone structures, consisting of approximately one million giant kakogan stones, are unparalleled worldwide.
The stonewalls have many points of interest. See the marks of the feudal lords involved in their construction engraved on them and the human face-rock embedded in them to ward off evil spirits.
Highlights
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The sightseeing boat is an elegant reproduction of a 400-year-old ship.
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The boat is a 20-minute mini-cruise that takes you on a journey while looking up at the castle tower from the water's surface.
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The stone wall, made up of about 1 million rocks, can be seen up close.
Photos
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![Feel like the ruler of Japan and enjoy a moment of elegance]()
Feel like the ruler of Japan and enjoy a moment of elegance
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![Closing in on the massive stone wall]()
Closing in on the massive stone wall
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![The contrast between modern buildings and Osaka Castle is also a sight]()
The contrast between modern buildings and Osaka Castle is also a sight
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![Embedded the human face-rock to ward off evil]()
Embedded the human face-rock to ward off evil
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![Part of a stone wall engraved with the names of feudal lords]()
Part of a stone wall engraved with the names of feudal lords
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![The ship is reproduced with reference to the illustrations of the past]()
The ship is reproduced with reference to the illustrations of the past
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have foreign language support? (If it is available, what language is available?)
English, Korean (may not be available on some days)
Q
Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
Re-entry is not allowed.
Q
Is free WiFi available in the facility?
Not available.
Q
Is eating and drinking allowed? Also, is it possible to bring in food and beverages?
Currently, eating and drinking are not permitted to prevent COVID‑19, but once the pandemic settles down, eating and drinking will be allowed to the extent that it does not inconvenience other guests. However, please take your garbage home with you.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
Not available.
Q
Are there any discounted tickets available?
Free of charge for holders of the Osaka Round Trip Pass and Osaka Rakuyu Pass issued by the Osaka Convention & Visitors Bureau. Show your KANSAI ONE PASS card for 10% off.
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 大阪城御座船
- Postal Code
- 540-0002
- Address
- Northwest kiosk, Gokurakubashi, Osaka Castle 2, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Telephone
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06-6314-3773 (weekdays only)
080-3764-3773 (direct line to the platform) - Holidays
- Non-scheduled *Service may be suspended in case of stormy weather
- Hours
- 10:00 - 16:30 (from 7/23 to the end of August: 17:00, tours run every 15 to 30 minutes)
- Fee
- Adult 1,500 yen, elementary/junior high school students 750 yen, 65 years old and over 1,000 yen
- Directions
- 10 min. walk from JR Osaka-jo Koen Station. on the Osaka Loop Line
- Website
- Official Website (Japanese)