Site of Castle Flower Garden

This corner of Osaka Castle's grounds once held an elaborate flower garden maintained by professional gardeners who supplied seasonal arrangements for the castle's residences. A historical record from the mid-18th century lists rhododendrons, Rugosa roses, hydrangeas, and peonies among the preferred blooms of the warrior class. Samurai reportedly avoided camellias because the flower's head drops cleanly when it wilts, resembling a severed head. Surprisingly, records also show the gardens included eggplants, suggesting they doubled as vegetable plots. Today only a well remains, but the story lingers.