【Got footage? A thousand people move a 400-ton historic castle—Japan’s moving fortress】

By: Little Traveler

Have you ever seen a moving castle? I have!! I really have!! But even through the screen, I could feelJapan’s dedication and effort in preserving the nation’s historical and cultural heritage.

The story beganinAomoriPrefecture, where Hirosaki Castle, originally built atop stone walls, faced the risk of collapse due to the aging of some peripheral stone ramparts. To protect the structure, the ancient “house-pulling” technique was used to lift the 400-ton keep in its entirety.

Workers first installed hydraulic jacks under the keep, lifting it 6 cm before using rail-mounted dollies to move it the entire 77.62 meters. Sounds simple and not far—but in reality, it was the world’s longest short distance. It took eight months to move Hirosaki Castle step by step to its new location. On the final day, 3,900 people were mobilized and 30,000 spectators gathered to witness this historic moment. According to the restoration plan, the keep is expected to be moved back to its original position in 2021. If you want to witness it with your own eyes, stay tuned for updates.

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