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# A historic guesthouse in Bad Aussee brings Japan to the Salzkammergut
- URL: https://www.eingecheckt.de/en/podenhaus-bad-aussee-japan-creative-festival/
- Published: 2026-10-18T07:28:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-29T07:10:46.000Z
- Description: An encounter in Kyoto inspired a new chapter for the Podenhaus in Bad Aussee, where hospitality meets Japanese art.
- Author: Michael Külbel
- Tags: #en, #magazin_en, #pair_podenhaus, Hotel Concepts, #format_interview

Key points 
- The Podenhaus in Bad Aussee is a historic trading house dating back to the 14th century and now a guesthouse.
- Host Gerhard Paradeiser met the Japanese artist Juni Vojorna in Kyoto; today she is his wife.
- From 1 to 25 November 2026, the couple are holding the first Japan Creative Festival with exhibitions, workshops, a Japanese café and shamisen concerts.
- November works because their farm leaves time then and the house is less busy. The exhibition stays in the studio afterwards.

**A three-month journey to Japan, an unexpected encounter in Kyoto and a centuries-old trading house in the Austrian town of Bad Aussee: The story of Gerhard Paradeiser and Juni Vojorna shows how personal passions can shape a distinctive hospitality concept. With their first Japan Creative Festival, the couple now hopes to bring art, culture and hospitality together, opening their historic guesthouse even further to the local community.**

## A Journey to Japan and an Unexpected Encounter

Several years ago, while planning an extensive renovation of his Podenhaus guesthouse in Bad Aussee, Gerhard Paradeiser decided to take an unusual break. He booked a three-month trip to Japan, hoping to gain some distance from the decisions ahead, reflect on his plans and explore a part of Asia that had long fascinated him. After spending some time adjusting to life in Tokyo, he chose Kyoto as his main destination, drawn to the former imperial capital with its temples, traditional gardens and centuries-old traditions of art and craftsmanship.

It was there that he met Juni Vojorna, an artist from Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture. Their acquaintance developed into a relationship, and the two eventually married. Following the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Juni moved to Austria, where she witnessed much of the guesthouse's subsequent development and extensive renovation. During the stucco and painting work, she often spent days lending a hand herself and helped bring the building to completion. What had begun as a journey of personal reflection would ultimately change Paradeiser's life and, in time, influence the future of his guesthouse.

Today, Gerhard Paradeiser and Juni Vojorna bring together Austrian hospitality and Japanese art and culture in the heart of the Styrian Salzkammergut. From 1 to 25 November 2026, they will host the first Japan Creative Festival at the Podenhaus, featuring exhibitions, creative workshops, Japanese culinary specialities and traditional music.¹ What might initially appear to be an unusual cultural event is, on closer inspection, the continuation of a deeply personal story.

## A Trading House with More Than 600 Years of History

The Podenhaus itself has a past that reaches far beyond its present role as a guesthouse. Located on Kirchengasse, the distinctive building is among the historic properties of Bad Aussee. Its origins can be traced back to the 14th century, while a document dating from 1431 provides evidence of ownership at that time. Over the centuries, the property changed hands and served different purposes. Particularly significant was its role as a trading house, which at one point ranked among the town's important commercial establishments.²

The Paradeiser family's connection with the building dates back to 1962\. That year, Maria Tauer, whose family had acquired the property exactly 100 years ago, on 1 October 1926, bequeathed three-quarters of the building to her niece, Christine Paradeiser. In 1993, ownership passed to Christine's son Gerhard as part of a family succession, and he later succeeded in bringing the remaining quarter back into family ownership. By 1994, he had embarked on an extensive renovation of what had become a seriously deteriorated property. The restoration preserved an important part of the town's architectural heritage while allowing the building to take on new functions. Among other things, a traditional Austrian wine tavern was established, contributing to the social life of the house for many years.²

The Podenhaus took on its present form as a guest accommodation property following another comprehensive renovation between 2021 and 2023\. Rather than giving the historic building a uniform modern appearance, the aim was to retain visible traces of its past. Historic wooden floors, original ceilings, restored furniture and antiques were combined with contemporary upholstered furnishings, high-quality box-spring beds and modern interior elements.³

This combination continues to define the guest rooms and apartments today. Instead of a standardised hotel interior, visitors encounter individually designed spaces where historic architecture and contemporary comfort exist side by side. Juni Vojorna's artwork has also found its place in this setting, although not by imitating the building's traditional style. Her work deliberately introduces a different artistic perspective.

![Whitewashed vaulted room with wooden chairs, a piano, wall lamps and fabric draped beneath the ceiling](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/podenhaus-historischer-gewoelberaum.jpg)

A historic vaulted room at the Podenhaus in Bad Aussee. Photo: Karl Steinegger

## How Juni's Art Is Changing the House

According to her husband, Juni Vojorna has devoted herself to painting since her youth. At just 17, she spent some time in New York, where she painted the city’s skyline. For many years the painting hung on the outside wall of her father’s house in the Japanese mountains, where he had withdrawn to live alone as a philosopher, exposed to wind and weather. On a visit, it caught Gerhard Paradeiser’s eye. He asked Juni about its origins and whether she would agree to him taking it to Austria. Today the painting stands in the display cabinet at the entrance to the Beletage, the house’s principal floor. She studied art in Japan and presented her work at several exhibitions before moving to Austria. Artistic expression has remained an important part of her life ever since. Between her everyday responsibilities, she continues to make time for new paintings, occasionally also producing commissioned works.

![Juni Vojorna with folded arms in front of two of her paintings showing stylised female figures](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/juni-vojorna-kuenstlerin.jpg)

Artist Juni Vojorna in front of her own work. Photo: William Fritsch

What particularly impresses Gerhard Paradeiser is the natural confidence with which his wife integrates her art into their shared surroundings. While others might spend considerable time deciding which painting belongs on which wall, Juni often makes such decisions spontaneously. With remarkable certainty, she determines where her works should hang or stand. It is precisely this independent approach to colour, form and materials that creates a contrast with the historic architecture, something Paradeiser had welcomed from the beginning.

For guests, the connection has already become part of the Podenhaus experience. Those staying at the property encounter not only historic furnishings and carefully restored rooms but also the artistic creations of their hostess. This gives the building another personal dimension: it tells the story not only of its centuries-old past but also of the people who live and work there today.

Eventually, the couple began to consider presenting Juni's artwork on a larger scale. The exhibition opportunities offered by the regular accommodation business no longer seemed sufficient. From that ambition, the idea of creating their own cultural festival gradually emerged.

## How an Art Exhibition Became a Japanese Festival

The project did not begin with an elaborate tourism marketing strategy. Gerhard and Juni Paradeiser first considered what they could realistically afford to invest in such an event. Once they had established a budget, they began developing the programme. One of Gerhard's particular wishes was to bring traditional Japanese music to Bad Aussee.

The couple thought of Masato Shibata, a Tsugaru-shamisen musician who combines traditional Japanese music with contemporary influences. Until then, Juni had only known his work through the media. Nevertheless, they decided to approach him and were delighted when he agreed to participate. For Paradeiser, the acceptance came as a particular surprise, especially as Shibata also had international performances planned in Hong Kong and Saigon that same month. On 20 and 21 November 2026, the musician is scheduled to perform in the historic surroundings of the Podenhaus.¹

![Masato Shibata in kimono and hakama, smiling as he plays his shamisen](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/masato-shibata-shamisen.jpg)

Tsugaru-shamisen musician Masato Shibata is scheduled to perform at the Podenhaus on 20 and 21 November 2026\. Photo: private

The concerts are only one part of the festival. Over four weeks, a series of changing exhibitions will introduce visitors to different forms of Japanese art and craftsmanship. The programme includes ceramics, kimonos and accessories, cork art, traditional paper cutting and Japanese calligraphy. Juni Vojorna will contribute her own work and lead a workshop in which participants can paint small cork coasters. The exhibited artworks will also be available for purchase.¹

The programme will be complemented by a Japanese café serving matcha, tea and sweets. Guests interested in experiencing another aspect of Japanese culture can also order a traditional breakfast featuring rice, miso soup, grilled fish and roasted seaweed. In this way, the festival brings together several elements that are often treated separately in hospitality: accommodation, gastronomy, art and cultural events.

For a small guesthouse, organising such a programme involves additional work. Artists need to be coordinated, exhibitions prepared, events organised and food and beverage services planned. The couple's decision to take on these responsibilities reflects their genuine enthusiasm for the project and the cultural connections behind it.

## Why November?

The timing is one of the most interesting aspects of the entire project. November was not chosen solely because it tends to be [a quieter month for tourism](https://www.eingecheckt.de/en/hotel-low-season-does-staying-open-longer-pay-off/) in many destinations. The main reason is rooted in the everyday working lives of the hosts.

Alongside the Podenhaus, Gerhard Paradeiser and his wife operate a farm in Fels am Wagram in Lower Austria. Agricultural responsibilities keep them busy throughout much of the year. Only in November do they have sufficient time to organise a cultural festival lasting several weeks. At the same time, [occupancy](https://www.eingecheckt.de/en/what-is-hotel-occupancy/) at the guesthouse is generally lower, making it easier to integrate the events into its regular operations.

As Paradeiser puts it with characteristic pragmatism, they did not want to "torpedo" the peak season by adding another major event.

This consideration is particularly relevant to other small accommodation businesses. Events are frequently promoted as a way to attract additional attention or demand during quieter periods. What can easily be overlooked, however, is that guest demand is only one part of the equation. Hosts must also consider when they have the staffing, time and organisational capacity to deliver such an experience.

At the Podenhaus, November makes sense for several practical reasons. Agricultural work becomes less demanding, the accommodation business is quieter and the historic rooms can be used for cultural activities. Whether the festival will eventually generate additional overnight stays remains to be seen. Nevertheless, its planning illustrates how new hospitality offerings do not necessarily require a fundamental change in business strategy. Sometimes, the most promising ideas emerge from combining existing opportunities with the interests and abilities of those running the property.

## When a Guesthouse Becomes a Cultural Meeting Place

The importance of art and culture to tourism destinations is also reflected in recent research. As part of its T-MONA guest survey, the Austrian National Tourist Office examined the travel behaviour of more than 24,000 people who holidayed in Austria between May and October 2025\. The results were published in June 2026.

Nature and landscapes were by far the most frequently mentioned reason for choosing a holiday destination, cited by 60 percent of respondents. The accommodation itself and cultural attractions or sightseeing were each mentioned by 28 percent.⁴

These figures relate to summer tourism and cannot be used to predict demand for a festival taking place in Bad Aussee in November. They do, however, illustrate that cultural attractions are more than an optional addition to a holiday programme. For some travellers, they are among the reasons for choosing a particular destination in the first place.

At the Podenhaus, there is another dimension to consider. The festival is expressly intended not only for overnight guests. Residents of Bad Aussee and the surrounding area are also invited to visit the exhibitions, attend workshops or enjoy the Japanese café. For a time, the accommodation business becomes a publicly accessible venue for culture and social interaction.

For Gerhard Paradeiser, this is by no means a departure from the building's history. Quite the opposite. As a trading house, it was already a place where people met, exchanged goods and shared conversations. According to Paradeiser, this connection with the local community has been maintained across generations. His mother valued it, and he and his wife continue the tradition today. Among other things, the Podenhaus offers products from the family's own farm, which Paradeiser says have been warmly received by local residents.

The new festival continues this tradition in a different form. Where trade and agricultural products once helped connect the building with the community, art, music and Japanese culture now provide additional opportunities for people to come together. The hosts are opening their doors to new encounters without abandoning the identity the property has developed over time.

Paradeiser finds this possibility especially appealing. It makes him happy when guests express their appreciation for the atmosphere of the house and its distinctive style of accommodation. Through the festival, he and Juni can now offer them a cultural experience that goes beyond what visitors might ordinarily expect from a guesthouse.

> “It makes me very happy when guests rave about the house and the way of living here, and now we can also offer them something on a cultural level – something out of the ordinary.”

## An Exhibition That Will Outlast the Festival

The cultural project is not intended to end when the festival closes on 25 November. According to the hosts' plans, the exhibition in the atelier will remain accessible afterwards. Until the next scheduled exhibition in November 2027, overnight guests and local residents alike will be able to view the displayed works. The festival is intended to become an annual event, while art will maintain a permanent presence in the building between editions. The exhibition itself is set to change throughout the year. In spring 2027, Gerhard Paradeiser and Juni Vojorna plan to spend several weeks in Japan again, gathering new ideas and meeting new artists, whom they then intend to invite to exhibit at the Podenhaus.

![Room with exposed wooden beams, shelves of Japanese ceramics, a kimono on the wall and a round wooden table](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/podenhaus-atelier-japanische-keramik.jpg)

A look inside the Podenhaus atelier with Japanese ceramics and a kimono. Photo: Karl Steinegger

For the Podenhaus, this represents an important distinction. A temporary festival can generate attention and attract visitors. A permanently integrated exhibition, however, adds something to the guesthouse experience over a much longer period. Art becomes part of the stay, regardless of whether someone has come for a concert, an exhibition opening or simply a few peaceful days in Bad Aussee.

What emerges is a form of positioning that has not been artificially developed around a marketing concept. The historic building, Juni Vojorna's Japanese background and artistic work, and her husband's personal interests come together in an offering closely connected to the people running the property.

There is no universal formula here for other hoteliers to follow. Not every small property has suitable event spaces, artistic connections or the staffing required to organise such a programme. Nevertheless, the Podenhaus demonstrates how the personal backgrounds of hosts can inspire an additional offering that feels entirely consistent with the character of their accommodation business.

## A Story That Began in Kyoto

Whether the Japan Creative Festival will eventually become a permanent fixture in Bad Aussee's cultural calendar remains to be seen. Its first edition in November 2026 is a beginning, shaped by considerable personal commitment and the desire to bring together people from different backgrounds and with different interests.

![Japan Creative Festival poster in front of a golden kimono, with painted mugs on a wall shelf below](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/japan-creative-festival-plakat-podenhaus.jpg)

The poster for the first Japan Creative Festival at the Podenhaus. Photo: Karl Steinegger

For Gerhard Paradeiser and Juni Vojorna, however, the project already carries particular meaning. It connects their shared story with a building that has been part of Gerhard's life for decades, while providing a new setting for Juni's artistic work.

When Paradeiser originally set off for Japan, he was reflecting on the future of the Podenhaus. At that point, he could hardly have imagined that he would meet his future wife there and one day organise a Japanese cultural festival with her in Bad Aussee.

Today, that personal encounter has become part of the old trading house's continuing history. And when the first notes of the Japanese shamisen fill its historic rooms in November, two cultures will meet in a place where Gerhard and Juni have already brought them together.

Sources

This article is based on official information from the Podenhaus, historical documentation, tourism research and original editorial correspondence with the host. 

1. [Podenhaus – Japan Creative Festival 2026 ](https://www.podenhaus.at/japan-festival?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
Official festival programme, 1–25 November 2026, including exhibitions, workshops, Japanese food and beverages, and performances by Masato Shibata.
2. [Podenhaus – Das Podenhaus und seine Geschichte ](https://www.podenhaus.at/podenhaus-gastgeber/geschichte?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
Historical account by Michael Seifert. Building history, former use as a trading house, ownership transfers in 1962 and 1993, and restoration work beginning in 1994\. Original source in German.
3. [Podenhaus – Über das Haus ](https://www.podenhaus.at/podenhaus-gastgeber?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
Information about the comprehensive renovation from 2021 to 2023, historical architectural features and interior design. Original source in German.
4. [Austrian National Tourist Office (2026) ](https://b2b.austria.info/de-at/newsroom/2026/neue-studie-die-anatomie-des-sommergasts-in-oesterreich/?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
*Neue Studie: Die Anatomie des Sommergasts in Österreich.*  
Published on 2 June 2026\. T-MONA guest survey involving more than 24,000 respondents who visited Austria between May and October 2025\. Reasons for choosing a destination: nature and landscapes (60%), accommodation and cultural attractions or sightseeing (28% each). Original publication in German.

**Original editorial source:**Written correspondence and personal statements from Gerhard Paradeiser, host of the Podenhaus in Bad Aussee, October 2026\. Statements and quotations translated from German into English by the eingecheckt® editorial team.