1,000 people help tow Japanese castle keep closer to original site

In a remarkable feat of community effort, about 1,000 people in Hirosaki, Japan, gathered on August 23 to manually tow the roughly 400-tonne keep of the city's historic castle. This significant undertaking moved the structure 109 centimeters closer to its original position.

The keep of Hirosaki Castle, designated a national historical treasure, was temporarily relocated in 2015. The move was necessary to facilitate crucial repairs to the ancient stone walls that form the castle's foundation. The ultimate aim is to return the keep to its precise original location, a move expected to cover approximately 78 meters.

Participants in the August 23 event were selected by lottery and divided into groups, each pulling ropes attached to a cart carrying the massive keep. This hands-on approach highlights the community's dedication to preserving its heritage. The effort is part of a larger initiative, with a total of 4,000 people scheduled to participate in similar towing events between August 29 and 30.

These subsequent events aim to move the keep a total of about 5 meters. The entire relocation project is slated for completion by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the restoration of this important historical landmark.