Hirosaki Castle keep moved by hand by 1,800 volunteers

Approximately 1,800 volunteers participated in a massive community effort to move the Hirosaki Castle keep in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, using the traditional hikiya technique. The structure, weighing between 360 and 400 tonnes, was moved by hand using 30-meter ropes and a rail system to bring it closer to its original position.

The relocation is part of a major preservation project. The castle tower was originally moved in 2015 to allow for the repair of stone walls damaged by a major earthquake. Following the completion of the wall repairs in late 2024, officials are now working to return the nationally designated cultural property to its historical site.

During the recent event, rotating teams of 80 people moved the tower approximately 1.13 meters on Saturday and 1.09 meters on Sunday. The project saw overwhelming interest, with roughly 8,000 applications received for the 1,800 available slots. Participants included residents from across Japan and international volunteers from Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. While manual pulling will account for the first 5 meters of movement, machinery will be used to complete the remaining 73 meters of the relocation by the end of the year.