With ropes and chants, thousands move Japanese castle

In northern Japan, a group of volunteers united in unison, hauled a 400-tonne castle back towards its original location on Wednesday. The Hirosaki Castle, a three-storey wooden structure, was moved 80 metres in 2015 to allow for necessary repairs to its stone walls. This time, groups of around 80 individuals took turns advancing the tower a few centimetres at a time. Over 4,000 people, including some from overseas, have taken part in this endeavor.

Takahiro Kogawa, a 56-year-old local resident, described the experience as akin to moving a mountain, while Azusa Nimiya, a 46-year-old history enthusiast, traveled from Shimane to contribute. "It's the experience of a lifetime, a precious and unique memory," she remarked.

The municipality plans to deploy heavy machinery in September to complete the task, with a permanent installation scheduled for November. Further restoration work, including the copper roof and facades, will precede the full reopening to the public in 2033.

Kensuke Hayasaka, the head of the restoration project, emphasized the significance of involving the public in preserving the history of Hirosaki for future generations. The traditional method of moving structures, known as "hikiya," has been employed in Japan since ancient times.

This large-scale, human-powered operation, or "hikiya," is a testament to the preservation of unique heritage while ensuring the main tower is securely fixed before the winter snows arrive. Among the most ardent participants was Katsumi Terada, 82, who had previously joined in 2015. He expressed satisfaction at finally witnessing the tower return to its base, remarking on his own good fortune at still being alive.