155 years after the signing of the Austro-Japanese Friendship, Trade and Shipping Treaty of 1869, the signing of the partnership between Schönbrunn Palace and the Japanese Himeji Castle took place on November 15, 2024 in the White Gold Rooms of Schönbrunn Palace. The celebratory ceremony was attended by the mayor of the city of Himeji, Hideyasu Kiyomoto, the Japanese ambassador to Austria, Ryuta MIZUUCHI and other high-ranking representatives of the city of Himeji and the Office for Tourism and Economic Affairs as well as the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs as owner representatives of the Schönbrunn Group and Representatives from the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. A second ceremonial signing is planned for May 24, 2025 in Himeji around Austria Day at Expo 2025 Osaka.
„With this agreement, the representatives of Schönbrunn Palace and Himeji Castle reaffirm their commitment to preserving the irreplaceable treasures entrusted to their care. At the same time, we are moving into a future with a common vision characterized by cultural diplomacy, educational work and sustainable tourism. This partnership is a testament to the power of international collaboration, and I have no doubt that the fruits of our collaboration will benefit countless guests
“, emphasized Klaus Panholzer, CEO of the Schönbrunn Group. And adds: “Both nations also share a love for the beautiful things in life: art, culture and literature
“.
„In my role as owner representative of Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.mbH (SKB), I welcome the partnership agreement between the city of Himeji and Schönbrunn Group as an important step towards strengthening international relations and intercultural exchange. Future intensification of cooperation with the city of Himeji will not only help bring our two UNESCO World Heritage sites closer together, but also further deepen friendly ties
“, said Alexander Palma, head of the Cultural Heritage Section at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs.
The next EXPO will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025 in Osaka, Japan on the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. This is the second World Expo in Osaka after 1970.
More than 160 countries are taking part in the world exhibition, and over 28 million visitors are expected. Austria will be represented with a spectacular pavilion under the motto “Composing the Future”. Austria’s appearance at the EXPO is based on an element that strongly connects Austria with Japan: music. In addition to Austria’s well-known strengths in music and culture, Austria’s innovative and sustainable contribution to shaping the future and solving global challenges will be shown. The pavilion thus becomes a stage for the achievements of Austrian companies, research and educational institutions.
“The castle partnership between Himeji and Schönbrunn is a symbol of the deep-rooted friendship of our two countries and the mutual appreciation of our cultural heritage. But it also represents what Austria wants to achieve by participating in the EXPO: to deepen the already excellent relations with Japan on all levels – in politics, business, science and research, art and culture, in the long term and sustainably
“, said the honorary government commissioner for the Austrian EXPO participation, former Federal Minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik.
Economic relations between Japan and Austria
Japan, as the venue for Expo 2025, is also very relevant for Austria’s economy: with a trade volume of around 4.6 billion euros in 2023, Japan is one of the most important overseas trading partners for Austria and, after China, the second most important market in Asia, measured by total Austrian export volume accounts for 8 percent. This makes Austria one of the ten largest export countries from the EU to Japan.
80% of domestic Japanese exporters are SMEs. The most important domestic and export goods are mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and the semiconductor industry. Around 80 Austrian companies operate in Japan through representative offices or branches; There are around 100 Japanese companies present in Austria.
„With a view to the market and innovation opportunities in the economically dynamically growing East Asian region, the EXPO is an important door opener that goes far beyond the great opportunities for Austria in Japanese growth markets. The EXPO offers Austrian companies a unique opportunity to present their innovative products and services on a global stage and to establish sustainable, future-oriented partnerships. Cultural partnerships also open up new opportunities for international collaboration for our companies
“, explained Michael Otter, Head of FOREIGN ECONOMY AUSTRIA. Participation in the EXPO is jointly implemented and financed by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Further information can be found at: www.expoaustria.at.
Increasing tourism numbers
Japan is enjoying increasing popularity among travelers. In the first half of 2024, 17.8 million tourists visited Japan. That is 8.9 percent more than at the same time in the previous record year of 2019.
In the same period, 75.70 million overnight stays were registered in Austria. The number of overnight stays was only slightly below the level of 2019, where 76.35 million overnight stays were recorded in the first six months.
UNESCO Welterbestätten
Both partners, Schönbrunn Palace and Himeji Castle, are among the first sites in Japan and Austria to be recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. They still have this special status today and continue to be among the world’s most important cultural sites.
Himeji-jo UNESCO World Heritage since 1993
Himeji-jo is the best surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture and consists of 83 buildings with sophisticated defense systems and sophisticated protections from the shogun era. It is located near Himeji, a city with 527,000 inhabitants and about 100 kilometers west of Osaka
Experts describe it as a masterpiece of wooden architecture that combines function and aesthetics, both in its elegant appearance, unified by the white plastered clay walls, and in the subtlety of the relationships between the building masses and the multiple roof layers. The complex was founded in 1346, later expanded several times and consists of mighty stone walls and delicate wooden buildings, e.g. B. the five-story main tower.
Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998
Schönbrunn Palace, together with its park, represents one of the best-preserved baroque ensembles in Europe. For more than 300 years it functioned as an imperial summer residence and symbolized the power and influence of the Habsburgs on European history. Emerging from an imperial hunting lodge, the residence was rebuilt and modernized several times until the 19th century.
Further information and reservations as well as current opening times can be found at www.schoenbrunn.at
Further information and reservations as well as current opening times can be found at The World Heritage Site: The National Treasure of Himeji Castle