Thousands of volunteers help move 17th-century Japanese castle by hand

In Hirosaki, Japan, a remarkable feat of collective effort unfolded as 1,800 volunteers converged to manually transport the historic 400-ton Hirosaki Castle. This ancient Japanese technique, known as 'hikiya,' involves positioning the massive structure on rollers and pulling it with long ropes.

The castle, a significant Edo period masterpiece, is undergoing relocation for essential restoration work. The 'hikiya' method, which allows buildings to be moved without dismantling them, was last employed for the castle in 2015 to address foundation issues. The current move aims to reposition the structure for further repairs.

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We received about 8,000 applications for the 1,800 available places over the past two days, nearly four times the number of available spots; not everyone could participate.

The operation saw participants, from young to old, coordinating their efforts to the rhythm of a drum, chanting "so-re, so-re" as they pulled. The demand to participate was immense, with the city receiving around 8,000 applications for the 1,800 available volunteer slots. Participants traveled from across Japan and even from Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America, drawn by the unique opportunity.

One participant described the experience as "like trying to move a mountain." Local officials estimate the castle has moved five meters so far. The relocation is scheduled to be completed by November using machinery, with the castle expected to be fully restored and reopened to the public by 2033.

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It's like we're trying to move a mountain.