The castle really looks great in sunlight, and there are several spots where the autumn trees are reflected in the moat's water, giving a very nice overall impression.
The castle museum, however, is not particularly impressive. The viewing platform on the top floor offers a great view over Osaka, but exhibit-wise, they only have a few beautifully painted folding screens, and not much more. Most of the museum's content consists of videos and written Japanese documents.
As with many old buildings in Japan, Osaka castle is only a reconstruction, or more precisely, the reconstruction of a reconstruction: the original castle was destroyed in a war about 30 years after it was built. The reconstruction that followed was destroyed again, and was replaced by a concrete structure in the 1930s.
From today's perspective, there are some uncertainties as to how exactly the original castle looked like. Apparently, there really isn't much left from it, apart from a painted folding screen, a stone wall below the reconstructed castle and a few roof tiles.
From a European/Western perspective, I think that is really weird. I have the feeling that in Europe, there are so many details known about (for example) the Romans, and there are so many artifacts remaining from that period. Somehow I find it hard to believe how so little can be left of a castle (and so little known about it) that was originally constructed only in the 1600s.
Another point that I find a little strange is the castle moat. One part of it is filled with water, while another part has always been dry. However, a sign near the castle entrance says that the reason for this is unknown. How can this be? If it was a design decision, then there should be some record of it, right? And if it's due to some kind of natural condition, then I think it should invoke scientific interest and be studied. How can they just accept to not know the reason for it, and not even make an educated guess? Or maybe the English sign is only a bad or old translation, and they really know everything about it...?
