Osaka

Kyoikuto in Osaka Castle Park

Memorial tower for those who died in disasters in Japan

Takako Sakamoto Jul 13, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Looking up at Kyoikuto from the bottom</p>

<p>Kyoikuto? What is this? Kyoiku means education...so, Education Tower?</p>

<p>Getting closer to see what this represents</p>

<p>The message to the families of the deceased...it looks like this tower is some kind of a memorial tower</p>

<p>The sign says Muroto Typhoon took away many lives in 1934. Upon this disaster, people in educational circles in Osaka proposed they build the tower to commemorate the victims of the disaster, and Kyoikuto was built in 1936. In 1995, victims of Great Hanshin earthquake were also memorialized here</p>

<p>Detailed explanation for English readers</p>

<p>Western-looking entrance to the tower. I wonder if the mark on the door is an anchor?</p>

<p>Base of Kyoikuto seen from the side</p>

<p>Beside the Kyoikuto, there is a wisteria trellis along the Outer Moat of Osaka Castle. It must be beautiful in May when the wisteria are in full bloom</p>

<p>Open space in front of Kyoikuto, which is located on the edge of Osaka Castle Park, thus, some buildings outside of it are seen</p>

<p>When I walked to the tree-lined walkway leading straight from Kyoikuto, there were beautiful hydrangeas in full bloom</p>

This is the last piece on impressive constructions I found inside Osaka Castle Park. It's located on the edge of the park and is called 'Kyoikuto'. 'Kyoiku' means education, and 'to' means tower...Education Tower...I wonder? So I got closer to the tower and found that this is a memorial tower for the victims of disasters that occurred in Japan, namely, the Muroto typhoon in 1934 and the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. I'm not sure why they named it a 'Kyoiku (Education) Tower, but probably it's so named because people in educational professions proposed and built the tower. Near this memorial tower, there is a wisteria trellis as well as hydrangea bushes to enjoy, a beautiful consolation to the victims of the disasters.

More info

Find out more about Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka Castle Park Series

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...