Ritsumeikan University: Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Library (衣笠図書館)

About the Kinugasa Campus Libraries:

There are 3 libraries in the Kinugasa Campus: Arts& Humanities, Shugakukan Research and Hirai Kaichiro. The Ritsumeikan University Library was founded in 1905 as part of the private Kyoto Hosei University. Today the Kinugasa campus libraries holds around 1 million library materials, and 3.5 million books and over 90,000 periodical titles both print and online with all 7 libraries together. In April 2016, new library called Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library was added to their library facilities.;

Collection Size (As of March 2018):

• Books​: 2,109,570 volumes
  • Japanese: 1,583,170 volumes
  • Non-Japanese: 526,400 volumes

• Journal: 115,898 titles
  • Japanese: 33,608 titles
  • Non-Japanese: 10,857 titles
  • E-Jounals: 71,333 titles

Notable Collection(s): For a list of collection held by Ritsumeikan University, please refer to "Collections" section, which outlines their extensive and various special collections.

Note: The Guide uses the ALA/LC standard romanization, however, it also reflects different romanization system used by an individual institution.

Using the Library

Non-affiliates are only allowed to read and copy library materials that were requested in advance.

Prior to the Visit: Advance Inquiry and Preparation Required

• Please read "Visitors" on their webpage.

• Please verify the desired material is available by using RUNNERS.

• Please ask the home institution library to contact them by fax to verify the desired material is available:

      Ritsumeikan University Library
      Office of Library Services (Kinugasa)
      Fax: +81-75-465-8219

• Letter of Introduction (紹介状 ō) from your home institution library. Please use the following form if the home institution does not have one:
  • A letter of Introduction (Word,  PDF)

Upon Arrival:

• Please present the letter of Introduction

• Please present the material survey reply (should be Faxed to your home institution library) from Kinugasa Library.

• Please present some form of personal ID.

We are constantly improving the guide contents and we want your opinion.

For all comments and questions about the Guide, please e-mail us:

mlaguide@nccjapan.net