By The Straits Times | Created at 2026-08-23 14:14:43 | Updated at 2026-09-04 17:01:51
1 week ago
KYODO – About 1,000 people towed the roughly 400-tonne keep of a traditional castle in north-eastern Japan’s Aomori Prefecture on Aug 23, moving it 109cm closer to its original position, after it was relocated 11 years ago.
The keep of Hirosaki Castle, a national historical treasure in the city of the same name, was moved in 2015 to repair the stone walls that supported it.
By the end of 2026, it will be moved about 78m to where it was.
About 1,000 people chosen by lottery were divided into groups, pulling a cart carrying the keep with ropes.
A total of 4,000 people are scheduled to participate in similar events between Aug 29 and 30, with the aim of moving the keep about 5m in total.
