Himeji Castle to Twin with Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace .

HIMEJI, Hyogo Prefecture — Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most stunning hilltop landmarks and a World Cultural Heritage site for its elegant white exterior said to resemble a flying heron, will be formally twinned with Austria’s **Schönbrunn Palace**, city officials have announced.

This will be the fourth sister castle agreement under Himeji Castle. Previously, the site was twinned with **Wawel Royal Castle** in Cracow, Poland in October 2023, but earlier twinnings were held with **Chateau de Chantilly** in France back in 1989 and with **Conwy Castle** in Wales in 2019.

Schönbrunn Palace, famous for the grandeur as well as a historical summer retreat for the ruling Habsburg dynasty, shares the status as a World Cultural Heritage site also with its highly beautiful gardens.

Discussions for the sister castle agreement began after an Austrian government delegation visited Himeji Castle in the spring. The formal partnership will be signed during the Osaka Kansai Expo in the upcoming spring, when Schönbrunn Palace officials will be invited to Himeji for the ceremony.

Wawel Royal Castle Partnership and Humanitarian Outreach
Notably, Wawel Royal Castle was the first castle in the world to be inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site. Himeji city officials initiated the partnership after the Polish ambassador to Japan proposed the idea in 2017. The agreement was finalized during an online ceremony on Oct. 16, 2023.

Under this partnership, Himeji has reached out to Ukrainian evacuees who ran to Poland after the invasion by Russia. Starting Oct. 20, young evacuees were encouraged to stay in the city. It is the symbol of the humanitarian focus of the partnership.

Through international connections, Himeji Castle keeps on growing its cultural and historical ties. These connections continue to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between nations.