Conwy Castle, Twinning with Himeji Castle

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(Cyfieithiad i ddilyn)

A Friendship That Has Crossed the World

From one great castle to another, from Conwy to Himeji, and from an idea to a living relationship between two communities more than 9,000 miles apart.

There are some partnerships that begin with a formal agreement. Others begin with a conversation, an idea and someone who is determined to see it happen.

The story of the relationship between Conwy Castle and Himeji Castle in Japan has both.

The two castles may look very different, one built in Welsh stone and the other famous for its brilliant white wooden structures, but they share something remarkable. Both are among the finest surviving examples of traditional castle architecture in their respective countries and both were built within around 50 years of each other. Conwy Castle was begun by Edward I in 1283, while construction of Himeji Castle began in 1333.

The vision of Councillor Bill Chapman

A particularly important part of this story belongs to Councillor Bill Chapman JP, who served as Conwy Town Mayor and Constable of Conwy Castle in 2017-18.

Bill became a passionate supporter of developing the relationship with Himeji and helped drive the project forward, working alongside North Wales Tourism and others who recognised the extraordinary potential of linking these two historic places.

The idea was about much more than tourism. It was about people.

Bill spoke of the opportunities for schools, voluntary organisations, culture, education, business and tourism to work together. He wanted the relationship to develop into something that ordinary people in Conwy and Himeji could experience and benefit from.

And that vision has certainly lived on.

2018: The first major step

In July 2018, the Mayor of Himeji travelled to Conwy and joined the Mayor of Conwy to sign a Memorandum of Understanding at Conwy's Guildhall. It was described at the time as the first agreement of its kind in the UK involving two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Conwy welcomed the Japanese delegation with Japanese and Welsh flags around the town, visits to local schools and cultural events.

The foundations were being laid for something much bigger.

2019: History is made

On 29 October 2019, a delegation from Conwy travelled to Japan for the formal signing ceremony at Himeji Castle.

Conwy Castle and Himeji Castle officially became twinned UNESCO World Heritage Sites, believed to be the first such relationship of its kind in the world.

Himeji's Mayor, Hideyasu Kiyomoto, described it beautifully as:

"the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

And it really was.

Bill Chapman was there for that historic occasion. Despite being seriously ill at the time, he travelled to Japan as part of the Conwy delegation.

His commitment to the project was recognised by colleagues, and the welcome he received from his Japanese hosts was deeply moving. When they learned of his illness, people in Himeji organised the folding of 1,000 origami cranes, a Japanese tradition known as Senbazuru, and sent them to Bill as a wish for his recovery.

It was a remarkable demonstration that this was no longer simply an agreement between two castles. It had become a friendship between people.

Sadly, Bill died in May 2020. But the relationship he helped champion has continued to grow.

From castles to classrooms

Perhaps the most important legacy is now being seen in our schools.

The original aims of the twinning included educational projects, cultural activities and the exchange of knowledge and skills.

Today, young people in Conwy are learning about Japan, Japanese culture and Himeji, while young people in Japan are learning about Wales, Conwy and our own history and traditions.

In 2026, Ysgol Aberconwy welcomed Hiromi Tanaka, Deputy Director for International Affairs in Himeji, alongside Conwy Mayor Councillor Sian Grady.

Year 7 and Year 8 pupils took part in Japanese cultural activities, including origami, making Samurai helmets and learning about traditional Japanese clothing. They also heard about the special relationship between Himeji Castle and Conwy Castle.

That is exactly the sort of people-to-people relationship Bill Chapman hoped would develop.

The relationship has travelled both ways

The connection has also seen Mayors and civic representatives travelling between Conwy and Himeji.

In 2023, the Mayor of Conwy visited Himeji as part of celebrations marking 30 years since Himeji Castle received UNESCO World Heritage status. The programme included meetings with Japanese travel agents, visits to local schools and engagement with the Himeji Chamber of Commerce and Japanese businesses.

And the relationship continues to be renewed at the highest levels.

In April 2025, during a Welsh Government visit to Japan, the Conwy Castle and Himeji Castle Memorandum of Understanding was renewed in Himeji.
And then came 2025

2025 was the Year of Wales and Japan, bringing the relationship between our two countries into even greater focus.

And what better place to demonstrate that friendship than Conwy Castle?

In December 2025, Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki visited Conwy Castle with First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan.

The Ambassador was welcomed by the Mayor of Conwy and Councillors, received an overview of the castle and heard about the local partnerships, including the special relationship with Himeji Castle.

The visit ended with something particularly memorable. The Japanese Ambassador joined the First Minister at Conwy Castle to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, celebrating the deepening relationship between Wales and Japan.

And the story is still being written

In 2026, the relationship is continuing to produce real benefits.

Hiromi Tanaka spent five weeks in Conwy, working with North Wales Tourism and the Mayor and becoming immersed in the culture and life of the town. Japanese visitor numbers are once again reaching, and in some cases exceeding, their pre-pandemic levels, with the relationship contributing significantly to tourism and the local economy.

There have also been cultural projects, including the Cranes of Peace project in Conwy, bringing local people and schools together through the Japanese tradition of origami cranes, with some of the cranes destined to be presented in Himeji and Hiroshima.

So when we look at the two castles today, we should see more than stone walls, towers, timber and tiles.

We should see people.

We should see schoolchildren discovering another culture.

We should see teachers sharing ideas.

We should see Mayors travelling thousands of miles to visit one another.

We should see Japanese and Welsh ambassadors building bridges between our communities.

We should see cultural exchanges, tourism, business and education.

And we should remember the people who had the vision to start it.

Councillor Bill Chapman had a vision of what could happen when Conwy and Himeji reached across the world and got to know one another.

Seven years after the formal twinning, that vision is alive.

Two castles.

Two communities.

Two very different cultures.

One extraordinary friendship.

Conwy Himeji

And perhaps the greatest tribute to Bill Chapman is that the friendship he helped build is now being carried forward by a new generation.