Theme
Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage
for a Sustainable and Resilient Future
Venue
Arcrea HIMEJI
(Himeji City,Japan)

Information

JUN. 10
WED
2026
Call for PR Booth Exhibitors Now Open

Cities attending the conference are invited to apply for a PR booth at the conference venue.

JUN. 5
FRI
2026
Program & Excursions, Registration, and Application (Speakers and Youth Program Participants) Pages Now Available

The latest information has been posted on each page.

MAY. 21
THU
2026
The top page has been published

Information on the event outline and Himeji City has been posted.

Main ThemePreservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage for a Sustainable and Resilient Future

The 20th World Conference of Historical Cities will focus on the following Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and Target:

Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 11
Sustainable cities and communities
Target 4
Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The cultural heritage mentioned in Target 4 refers to areas and structures that have cultural and historical significance. By preserving these heritage sites and sharing their value across countries and regions, we can learn the importance of understanding and respecting diverse cultures and histories. However, due to changes in the natural environment and social conditions, cultural heritage is exposed to various threats, including natural disasters, environmental issues, and man-made hazards.

The 20th Conference will bring together historical cities to share knowledge and experiences regarding initiatives to appropriately protect and utilize cultural heritage exposed to these threats, with the aim of raising awareness of cultural heritage preservation and reaffirming the importance of a safe and secure society that promotes well-being.

Greetings

It is with great pride and joy that I welcome you all to Himeji this November 2026, as our city has the distinguished honor of hosting the 20th World Conference of Historical Cities and welcoming participants from around the world.
Himeji joined the League of Historical Cities in 2021. In 2024, we attended the 19th conference in person in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Under the theme “Creating a Vibrant Walkable City Centre through Sustainable Urban Mobility,” we had the valuable opportunity to learn from the diverse policies of the participating cities.
Himeji is a city rich in history and culture, epitomized by Himeji Castle, a structure that has stood for over four centuries and was the first site in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also boasts a wealth of regional treasures passed down through generations, including cultural properties, festivals, traditional crafts, and local industries.
The experience of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake has driven our commitment to building a resilient city that safeguards the lives of its citizens and ensures these invaluable resources are preserved for future generations.
The 20th Conference will bring together historic cities from around the world under the theme “Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage for a Sustainable and Resilient Future” where they can share insights and experiences on passing cultural heritage to the next generation, aiming to achieve Target 4 of SDG 11. It is my sincere hope that this experience will raise awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage and inspire participants to channel this awareness into efforts to create safer and more secure communities.

The World Conference of Historical Cities serves as a vital platform for historic cities to share their experiences and achievements in addressing the challenges they face. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you and look forward to seeing many of you here in Himeji this November.

Mayor of Himeji CityKIYOMOTO Hideyasu

Access

Arcrea HIMEJI
(Himeji Culture and Convention Center)
Address 143-2 Kamiya-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo 670-0836
TEL +81-79-263-8082
Official Website Click here for the official website

By Train

Arcrea HIMEJI is approximately a 10-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Himeji Station.
It is also about a 15-minute walk from Sanyo-Himeji Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway.

Access from Major Stations

  • Shin-Osaka Station → Himeji Station: Approx. 30 mins (via Shinkansen)
  • Sannomiya Station → Himeji Station: Approx. 40 mins (via JR Special Rapid Service)
  • Tokyo Station → Himeji Station: Approx. 3 hours (via Shinkansen)
  • Hakata Station → Himeji Station: Approx. 2 hours (via Shinkansen)

Himeji Tourist Information・Link

  • Visit Himeji Official Travel Guide
  • Promotional Video for MICE in Himeji City
  • Himeji City Special Optional Tour
    Himeji City Special Optional Tour | coming soon
  • Related Link
    The League of Historical Cities (LHC)

    The League of Historical Cities is the international organization of municipal governments established to strengthen the exchanges among historical cities to pursue the shared theme, “Preservation and Development of the Historical Cities.”