More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan

No Comment Video. More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 26/08/2026 - 10:03 GMT+2 More than 1,000 volunteers pull Japan’s Hirosaki Castle back to its original site in Aomori after a decade of renovation work on the 400-year-old keep. More than a thousand people gathered in Aomori Prefecture to pull Japan’s historic Hirosaki Castle back to its original site after years of renovation. The wooden keep, one of only twelve original castles left in the country, was moved in 2015 so engineers could repair the stone base beneath it. Now, teams of volunteers have guided it home. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The video opens with a wide view of the castle, thick ropes laid out on the grass. A mascot waves participants into position, and soon hundreds stand shoulder to shoulder on either side of the ropes. Drums beat a steady rhythm as people lean forward and pull in unison. Some wear T-shirts reading ‘The Return of Hirosaki Castle 2026’. The event marks the final stage of a decade-long project to preserve the 400-year-old structure. Officials say moving the castle by hand honours the craftsmanship of its original builders. Culture Japan Tradition castle Top stories Now playing Next More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan Now playing Next Watch: Viking Age anchor recreated with hammer and bellows in Denmark Now playing Next Video shows tornado forming over village in France Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 26th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 25th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Canada hits US goods with 50% tariffs as trade war escalates Now playing Next Mongolia positions itself as Asia's next data centre hub Now playing Next Iceland's reckoning moment: What the referendum means for the EU Now playing Next Those behind hybrid attacks against Germany 'will pay,' Merz says Now playing Next Tornado tears through village in south-west France Now playing Next Houthis claim strike on Saudi tanker in latest Red Sea escalation Now playing Next Spain to reform asylum laws in line with EU as Ceuta remains unsolved Now playing Next Kyiv residents adapt to life under Russian bombardment Now playing Next Country music icon Dolly Parton dies aged 80, family announces Now playing Next Spain to reform asylum laws to align with EU rules as Ceuta crisis remains unresolved Now playing Next Blacksmiths recreate Viking Age anchor using ancient techniques in Denmark ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Tornado rips through French village, injuring at least 31 No Comment London and Paris landmarks light up for Ukraine’s Independence Day No Comment Greta Thunberg joins 10,000 climate marchers in Stockholm No Comment Warehouse burns near St Petersburg as Ukraine targets Ozon sites Qatar Qatar says officials working daily to revive US-Iran talks, urges Tehran to reopen Hormuz Afghanistan One million Afghan children suffering 'life-threatening' malnutrition, UNICEF says Economy German economy grows faster than estimated as exports rebound USA UN and Red Cross warn 'risks have intensified,' urge regulation of killer robots Armenia Armenia announces historic intention to apply for EU membership Indonesia Indonesian Muslims brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires Europe News Those behind hybrid attacks against Germany 'will pay,' Merz says, as officials find third drone at airport Climate Tornado tears through village in south-west France: More than 40 injured and 300 homes damaged ADVERTISEMENT Yemen Houthis claim strike on Saudi tanker in latest Red Sea escalation Europe News Tensions in the Alps after antisemitic video Canada Trump threatens to double tariffs on Canadian vehicles to 50% after trade talks collapse Culture news Trump adds bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson to transformed White House Rose Garden Culture news ‘It’s excruciating’: Welcome to Bavaria’s unusual finger wrestling championship Sport Esports World Cup crowns champions in Paris after move from Riyadh Europe News French election 2027: Poll puts Mélenchon in contention for run-off Health news Attacks on health workers in DR Congo making Ebola fight 'harder,' Red Cross says ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT