Osaka Castle Museum towers majestically against the blue sky. Construction of Osaka Castle began in 1583 on the site of Osaka (Ishiyama) Hongan-ji Temple by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who aimed to unify the country. The castle tower, the most central building in the castle's inner citadel, was completed two years later, but was burned down with the downfall of the Toyotomi clan in the Summer Siege of Osaka in 1615. It was rebuilt during the Tokugawa period, but burned down again in 1665 after a lightning strike. Since then, Osaka Castle has been without a castle tower. The current castle tower was built in 1931 with donations from citizens at the request of the mayor of Seki at the time. The castle tower, which has been restored after 266 years, is 55 meters above ground, with five layers and eight floors. The golden decorations everywhere, such as the shachihoko (a deadly fish) on the roof and the crouching tiger under the balustrade, shine brilliantly (it is a registered tangible cultural property of the country). It underwent major renovations from 1995 to 1997. You can get a panoramic view of Osaka from the observation deck on the 8th floor.