Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum, Sports museum in Tokyo, Japan
The Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum is a sports museum in Tokyo that displays athletic artifacts, historical photographs, documents, and Olympic memorabilia. It also houses an integrated library with historical sports publications and research materials.
The museum was founded in 1959, shortly after the death of Prince Chichibu, to honor his role in promoting sport across Japan. It was established at a time when Japan was rebuilding its sporting life after the Second World War and preparing to host the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The museum is named after Prince Chichibu, a younger brother of Emperor Hirohito who was known for his personal commitment to sport. Visitors can see objects tied directly to Japanese athletes and their careers, including personal equipment and medals.
The museum is only open by appointment, so planning ahead is necessary before any visit. Contact with staff by phone or fax is required in advance, as walk-in access is not available.
Prince Chichibu played rugby during his time studying at Oxford and helped introduce the game to Japan. The national rugby stadium in Tokyo bears his name today.
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