Watch NHK WORLD PRIME Season 3 Episode 3 Online

In 2016, a series of destructive earthquakes struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan. When seen from afar, badly damaged Kumamoto Castle is gradually recovering the stately appearance it's famous for. But many parts, such as the main tower, remain off-limits, making it hard to get a full picture of the castle's actual condition. This program takes an in-depth look at a major, 20-year project to restore it to its former glory. The team includes veteran masons tasked with re-laying an estimated 100,000 stones in the castle walls. Skilled carpenters are also working to restore historic structures. And experts are interweaving traditional and cutting-edge technologies to reinforce the castle against future disasters.