SEE CASTLE BUILT WITH ALUMINIUM CANS

TOYOHASHI, Aichi Prefecture–An imposing structure made of aluminum cans in the shadow of historic Yoshida Castle here has made history all its own.

Guinness World Records on Sept. 21 certified that the newly constructed “castle” is now the world record holder for an object fashioned with the largest number of aluminum cans, 104,840.

The Toyohashi Junior Chamber had been engaged in the project since June to show the importance of recyclable materials at Toyohashi Park, located on the site of historic Yoshida Castle.

The artwork draws its design from the reconstructed corner tower of Yoshida Castle. The landmark structure was destroyed in a fire during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) and reconstructed shortly after the end of World War II.

The artwork, which was built in a plaza in front of the tower and measures 6.6 meters in width, 5.5 meters in length and 5 meters in height, is entirely constructed with aluminum cans. The cans were affixed with flexible glue.

In the certification ceremony held in the plaza, members of the junior chamber cried “banzai” when an official Guinness record adjudicator certified the structure as the new record holder.

The previous record was held by an object built in Saudi Arabia in May, which used 66,400 cans.

Shinsuke Nakazawa, the junior chamber director, expressed gratitude to Toyohashi citizens for their cooperation and support.

“If they did not cooperate with us in the collection and piling up of aluminum cans, we would not be able to complete this project,” said Nakazawa, 39.

The aluminum can castle will be on display through the Toyohashi Matsuri festival, which will be held on Oct. 19 and 20. The city government is considering continuing to exhibit the artwork after the event