Crowd of 1,800 manually relocates historic Hirosaki Castle keep in Japan
About 1,800 people in northern Japan joined forces to pull the 360-tonne Hirosaki Castle keep by hand, using the traditional hikiya technique that moves buildings on rollers without dismantling them. The keep had been shifted in 2015 to allow repairs to its earthquake-damaged stone wall, and is now being returned closer to its original position. Participants were selected via lottery, and the relocation effort is scheduled to continue through the end of August.
The relocation effort involves a significant number of volunteers who were chosen through a random selection process. The structure weighs 360 tonnes and is being moved using a traditional method that employs rollers beneath the building, allowing it to travel without being taken apart.
The keep was originally shifted in 2015 to facilitate repairs on a stone wall damaged by seismic activity. The current operation aims to restore it nearer to its original placement, with work expected to continue through late August.
This event could strengthen community bonds and public interest in traditional preservation methods. It may boost local tourism and cultural pride, while also raising awareness about earthquake resilience in heritage structures. Participants gain a rare hands-on connection to history, potentially inspiring continued civic engagement with cultural conservation efforts.