Japan has enlisted 1800 people to heave and pull the 360-tonne keep of a historic castle back to its original location.

The chosen volunteers lined up on a rope, using an ancient technique a bit like tug-of-war to drag the Hirosaki Castle keep at the weekend.

The towering building in north-west Japan was successfully moved about 109 centimetres on Sunday.

The project will continue until the end of August, with 4,100 people reportedly scheduled to move the structure by five metres.

The rest of the 73-metre distance to its original location will be completed by machines by the end of the year.

A 16-year-old student who took parttold Japan Today: “I pulled it 11 years ago (from the original place for repairs). I feel emotional being able to take part again.”

Hirosaki City head of parks Kensuke Hayasaka told the Guardian that people from across Japan and overseas were chosen from a lottery.

He said organisers were inundated with people wanting to take part.

“We had about 8,000 applications for the 1,800 slots over the last two days, roughly four times oversubscribed, so not everyone could participate.”

The castle, which is considered a national historic treasure, was relocated 11 years ago to enable the repair of the foundation and stone walls.

“Because the keep is a nationally designated important cultural property, we didn’t take it apart,” Hayasaka said.

Hayasaka said the ancient building relocation method known as “hikiya” was considered the best way to shift it.

A construction notice on the Japan-guide.com website states that ongoing work will continue through to 2033.

“From July to November 2026, the castle keep is now being moved back to its original location.

“Afterwards, renovation and reinforcement works on the keep will continue until 2032 or 2033, and its interior is expected to remain closed to the public.”

Hirosaki Castle was built in 1611 and still has its three-storey castle tower, fortified moats, castle gates and some corner turrets.