Hundreds of volunteers helped shift a section of the 360‑tonne Hirosaki Castle keep more than six feet back into its original spot, moving it inch by inch after recent repairs.
Around 1,800 participants assembled over the weekend to tug large ropes fastened to the Hirosaki Castle keep in Aomori Prefecture, according to The Independent.
The keep—a fortified tower within the castle—was relocated to allow repair work on a wall damaged by a major earthquake. The wall has since been restored, with all 2,185 stones returned to their original positions.
Participants pull Hirosaki Castle using ropes to return it to its original position following repair work in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. (AFP via Getty Images)
Teams rotated in using the traditional hikiya method, which places buildings on rollers or rails and moves them intact. This technique preserves historic Japanese structures that might otherwise suffer damage or destruction.
“We received about 8,000 applications for the 1,800 available slots over the past two days—roughly four times oversubscribed—so not everyone could take part,” said Kensuke Hayasaka, head of Hirosaki City’s parks and green spaces division, speaking to The Guardian.
Participants pull Hirosaki Castle using ropes back to its original position after repair work in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. (AFP via Getty Images)
“Volunteers came not only from the city but from across Japan and overseas, including notable numbers from Southeast Asia, Europe and North America,” Hayasaka added.
Participants pull Hirosaki Castle using ropes in Hirosaki. (AFP via Getty Images)
The manual pulling of the castle keep will continue through the end of August, with roughly 4,100 volunteers scheduled to shift it more than 16 feet in total, according to The Guardian.
Originally a five‑story tower, the Hirosaki Castle keep was destroyed by a lightning strike in 1627, as reported by the newspaper citing the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Participants take pictures after pulling Hirosaki Castle into position. (AFP via Getty Images)
The present three‑story structure was rebuilt in 1811. Many Japanese castles were dismantled after the samurai era ended in 1868 or destroyed during World War II.
