HIROSAKI, Japan — Residents of Hirosaki took part in a rare and demanding effort to move the city’s historic castle keep by hand, an operation aimed at restoring the structure to its original position after earthquake damage. The event, held over the weekend, involved approximately 900 children in a tradition known as hikiya, where buildings are moved using ropes and rollers instead of dismantling.

Hirosaki Castle, a 400-ton wooden and stone landmark originally built in 1611 by the Tsugaru clan, has survived centuries of natural disasters and conflicts. The current project follows an initial move in 2015, prompted by an earthquake that damaged a stone wall beneath the castle’s keep. That year, residents also helped shift the structure to a temporary location. Since then, restoration of the supporting wall has involved carefully cataloging and repositioning more than 2,000 stones to ensure the castle’s stability.

During the recent weekend event, children worked in shifts, gripping ropes and pulling in unison to inch the castle keep closer to its original foundation. By day’s end, the castle had moved approximately 27 centimeters (almost a foot). This achievement follows an earlier phase in August when over 3,000 adults participated in the effort over five days, moving the structure about a dozen feet.

Heavy machinery is expected to complete the final stage of the relocation later this year, with the entire restoration project slated for completion by 2033. Once finished, the castle will reopen to the public following additional repairs aimed at preserving its historical integrity.

The initiative has fostered community involvement in Hirosaki, a city of around 157,000 near the northern tip of Japan’s main island, rekindling local pride in the castle, one of roughly a dozen original keeps remaining in Japan. Many comparable structures were lost during World War II.

Participants described the experience as physically challenging yet meaningful. “I felt the weight of the tradition,” said Naoki Akaishi, whose children also took part. Families who joined the effort in 2015 returned to contribute once more, reinforcing a connection to the city’s heritage.

Hirosaki Castle endured a major fire in 1627, with the keep rebuilt in 1810. In 1983, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake caused swelling in the supporting stone wall, raising concerns about collapse and triggering the recent preservation efforts.

The castle-moving events drew wide interest nationally and internationally, with the city receiving over 10,000 applications to participate. Organizers provided encouragement throughout the work, emphasizing both the monumental physical effort involved and the cultural significance of the undertaking.

For many residents, being part of the project has strengthened their attachment to the landmark and reinforced a collective commitment to preserving a symbol of their local history.