Japan enlists 1,800 people to drag a 360-tonne castle keep using ropes and rollers

 

After repairs to Hirosaki Castle in Aomori, Japan, local officials used a traditional technique called hikiya to move the 360-tonne castle keep more than two meters. Around 1,800 people participated over the weekend, pulling the castle with 30-meter ropes while chanting “so-re, so-re.” The keep was moved 1.13 meters on Saturday and another 1.09 meters on Sunday.

The castle keep had to be moved so workers could repair a damaged stone wall caused by a major earthquake. Because the keep is an important cultural property, officials did not take it apart. Instead, they placed it on rollers and rails and moved it as one structure. The public was invited to participate, making this a special community event.

The hand-pulling will continue until the end of August, with about 4,100 people expected to help move the castle a total of five meters. Machines will then move it the remaining 73 meters. Hirosaki Castle was completed in 1611, while its current keep was rebuilt in 1810 after the original burned down. The keep is expected to reopen to tourists in 2033 after the preservation work is completed.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/25/japan-1800-people-move-pull-400-tonne-hirosaki-castle-with-ropes

Comprehension

Where is Hirosaki Castle located?
How many people participated in pulling the castle keep over the weekend?
Why did the castle keep need to be moved?
What traditional Japanese technique was used to move the castle?
When is the castle expected to reopen to visitors?

Discussion

Would you like to participate in an event like pulling a castle? Why or why not?
Why do you think people were willing to travel from other parts of Japan and overseas to join the event?
Do you think preserving old buildings is important? Why?
Would you prefer to use traditional methods or modern machines for a project like this? Why?
What historical places in your country should be preserved?
Have you ever participated in a community event? What did you do?
Why do you think people enjoy being part of unusual or historic events?
Do you think tourists would be willing to wait several years to visit a famous historical site? Why or why not?
What can young people learn from historical buildings and cultural traditions?
If you could visit Hirosaki Castle after it reopens in 2033, would you like to go? Why?

Vocabulary

Renovation — the process of repairing or improving a building.
Fortified — protected against attack.
Hikiya — a traditional Japanese method of moving a building without taking it apart.
Heave — to pull or lift something with great effort.
Oversubscribed — having more people apply than there are available places.
Preserve — to protect something so it remains in good condition.
Rebuilt — built again after being damaged or destroyed.
Centrepiece — the most important or attractive part of a place or event.