Japan’s authorities move a 360-tonne castle keep about two metres as part of repairs to Hirosaki Castle in Aomori prefecture. Officials say the work took place over the weekend and involved about 1,800 people pulling and guiding the structure using ropes and rollers.
The move is carried out using a traditional technique known as hikiya. Local reports describe participants chanting during the operation as the keep is shifted only a short distance, aimed at enabling ongoing renovation work.
Coverage focuses on the scale and logistics of the operation and the use of a historical method to complete modern restoration. While sources emphasize different details—such as the purpose of the relocation or the number of participants—they describe the same core event: relocating the fortified tower within the castle after earthquake-related damage to support repairs.
