Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library

Is this where knowledge resides? Here, before us, stands the Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library, a beacon of learning and a testament to the enduring power of knowledge. The Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library, opened in 2016, is a relatively new addition to the Kinugasa Campus of Ritsumeikan University. Its sleek modern design, featuring a striking glass atrium known as the “library valley,” hints at the treasures within. Kaichiro Hirai, a graduate of Ritsumeikan University and the founder of Nichicon Corporation, made this magnificent structure possible. His legacy of innovation and dedication to education lives on within these walls. The library houses an impressive collection of over 450,000 open-access books, a significant increase from the previous library’s 100,000. Students can explore a wide range of disciplines throughout the library’s three stories and two basement floors. One of the library’s most remarkable features is its cutting-edge automated check-out system. The Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library is the first library in Japan to incorporate this technology. By simply holding their ID cards over readers at the entrance and exit gates, students can check in and out books with ease and efficiency. The Hirai Kaichiro Memorial Library is more than just a repository of books; it is a vibrant hub of intellectual curiosity and academic pursuit. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of knowledge and the enduring legacy of a visionary leader.