HIMEJI, Hyogo -- The city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, has begun talks with the government of Wales to promote friendship through the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Himeji Castle and Conwy Castle.
Himeji Mayor Toshikatsu Iwami visited Wales in early July to sign a memorandum of understanding, with the aim of signing an official agreement next autumn. Conwy Castle in northern Wales will become the third overseas castle that Himeji Castle has partnered with: It formed a sister-castle relationship with Chateau de Chantilly in France in 1989, and a cooperation agreement with Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany in 2015.
According to the Himeji city government, the Welsh government contacted Hyogo Prefecture's Hyogo International Association in July last year and proposed exchanges with the city. In September last year, the managing director of North Wales Tourism visited Himeji.
Himeji city plans to interact with Wales in the fields of music and other forms of culture, tourism, and sports such as rugby and soccer, which are popular in that country.
Conwy Castle was built in 1287, according to Himeji city. Its eight brochs, or circular towers, and outer walls encircling the town of Conwy remain in good condition. The castle was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.
Japan will host the upcoming Rugby World Cup next year, which Wales will participate in.
A Himeji city government official said: "We can promote our castle to the Welsh rugby supporters who visit Japan. It'll be the first time for us to cooperate with Britain, and we expect this event will be a good opportunity to deepen mutual understanding."
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