(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

“Hirosaki’s Moving Castle.” This is not a title of a Ghibli’s animation movie, but it’s an ongoing real event happening near Misawa Air Base. One of the towers of Hirosakijo, a famous Japanese castle known as one of the best cherry-blossom viewing spots, is moving as part of undergoing seismic preservation work. 

The castle tower was lifted off its original stone base in 2015 and was moved about 70 meters to a temporary platform for repair work.

With the repair work completed after 11 years, visitors to the castle can enjoy a unique view of the traditional-looking three‑storied, 14.4-meters-tall and 400-ton castle being “pulled” to its original location on top of the stone base.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

In late August, special events were held around the castle grounds, including guided tours around the inner moat, traditional Japanese boat rides and a mystery‑solving quiz rally. Visitors could also take photos with a rope against the backdrop of the gigantic castle tower, making it look like they were helping pull the castle over with a rope.

The castle tower is actually being moved inch by inch, very slowly and carefully, using industrial equipment to pull it along a portable platform. The relocation work is expected to be completed by November.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

According to Yoshihito Morita, a Misawa Commissary employee who visited the castle park recently, it was a rare and splendid view of the castle tower gradually being pulled back into its original position. The relocation work is expected to be completed by November 2026.

In the fall of 2028, the castle tower will be covered for further seismic reinforcement and preservation work. The full restoration is expected to be completed in 2032, according to the castle’s official website.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

“I can’t wait for next spring when we can once again be able to enjoy one of Aomori’s iconic seasonal views with the restored Hirosaki Castle tower to its stone base, framed by blooming cherry blossoms,” Morita said.

Hirosaki Castle