Hirosaki Castle keep returns to original stone foundation

The main keep of Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture is being moved back onto its original stone foundation after sitting on a temporary platform for eleven years. The 400-ton structure was shifted approximately 70 meters away from its base in 2015 to allow engineers to dismantle and rebuild the stone walls, which consist of 2,185 stones.

On August 23, 2026, participants used ropes to incrementally shift the keep toward its proper position. While one report noted about 80 people participating in a specific chanting event, other estimates suggested up to 4,000 people were slated to participate in the broader movement efforts.

The relocation process began in June following the completion of the stone wall repairs and is scheduled to conclude in November 2026. This marks the first time the keep has returned to its original position since 1915.