After we meet up in front of the statue of Kato Kiyomasa, we will climb up onto the Special Observation Path, taking us over the castle walls and giving us a bird’s eye view of the fortress and the ongoing restoration. As we walk, I will explain why Kiyomasa built the castle, what features make it the most formidable bastion in Japan, and how the city is using traditional and innovative methods to return the castle to its original state. Unfortunately, guided tours are not allowed in the renovated museum inside the castle keep, but I will provide a brief overview of what you can find and accompany you to answer any questions you may have about the exhibits. Finally, we will walk down the way we came and finish amid the shops in the Sakura-no-Baba Castle Town.