Japanese Move 400-Ton Tower
Hundreds of Japanese people pulled on massive ropes on Wednesday to move the 400-ton Herosaki Castle tower in northern Japan, returning it to its original site after years of restoration work.
In 2015, the massive three-story wooden structure, which forms the main keep of Herosaki Castle and is designated as an Important Cultural Property in Japan, was moved 80 meters to allow for the restoration of the castle’s stone base, which was threatened with collapse.
Engineers then decided to relocate the building without dismantling it, moving it as a single unit on railway tracks to a nearby lot while simultaneously rebuilding the castle’s foundations in a highly precise operation.
Since last Saturday, groups of about 80 people have taken turns moving the tower a few centimeters at a time. Approximately 4,000 people participated in the process, according to officials, allowing the structure to be shifted by about five meters.
Smiling, Takahiro Kogawa, 56, a resident of Herosaki, told AFP as sweat poured from his brow after minutes of strenuous effort, “It was like trying to move a mountain.”
Azusa Nemia, 46, a history and castle enthusiast, traveled from Shimane Prefecture on the opposite side of the country to help with the task. She said enthusiastically, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a precious and unique memory.”
The municipality will use heavy machinery in September to complete the operation, with the tower scheduled to be permanently secured in November. After additional repairs to the copper roof and facades, the historic edifice, dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868), is set to reopen to the public in 2033.
Kensuke Hayasaka, who is in charge of the restoration project, said that by making the project public, “we wanted everyone to be able to experience this historical moment... It is crucial for passing on the history of Herosaki to future generations.”
In the 17th century, lightning struck and destroyed the tower before it was rebuilt in the early 19th century. However, after nearly a century, the stone foundations became threatened with collapse, prompting authorities to move the tower for the first time and then return it to its original site in 1915.
Hayasaka explained that this massive human-pulling effort, known as “hikiyama,” is “a traditional technique for relocating buildings in Japan since ancient times,” adding, “Our goal is to transfer this unique heritage while ensuring the main tower is secured on its base before the first snowfall,” in the northern region known for its harsh winters.
He continued, “It is very moving to see the methods imagined by our ancestors and our teams finally translated into reality this year,” describing it as an achievement in progress.
Among the most enthusiastic participants was 82-year-old Katsumi Teraida, who had Japanese flags attached to a strap tied around his head. He had previously participated in moving the building from its original site 11 years ago.
Teraida said, “I was wondering with some worry whether I would be alive to see the tower return to its place,” adding, “Look at me, I’ve held on, I’m still alive, healthy and in good physical shape.”
