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World Heritage Site: Shimogamo Shrine and Kamomioya Shrine

The World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine Rugby First Kick Commemoration Association commemorates the history and traditions of the "first kick of rugby" and strives to expand and strengthen its membership with the goal of contributing to the development and improvement of the rugby world and the nurturing and strengthening of young people.

Through various activities, we hope to deliver excitement that only members can experience.

Tadasu no Mori Forest within the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine is the birthplace of Kansai rugby.

It is said that the beginning of the game was when students from Keio University, where the first rugby club in Japan was founded, taught rugby to students from the former Sanko High School (now Kyoto University) in Tadasu no Mori in 1910. A stone monument commemorating the spot was erected. The Sawataya Shrine next to the monument is widely revered as the god of rugby, and many rugby fans from all over the world visit this sacred place of rugby.

Our association continues to work to develop and improve the rugby world in Japan, as well as to foster and strengthen the next generation of rugby players, through activities such as cooperating with the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, and holding tag rugby tournaments and lectures. Shimogamo Shrine, which is registered as a World Heritage Site with a long history, is home to many cultural assets, including national treasures and important cultural properties, and is a treasure shared not only by Japan but by the world.

The fact that rugby in Japan began in such a place is surely another page in history. Through rugby, our association's activities will play a part in preserving and passing on the cultural assets that Japan is proud of around the world.

Information on joining

Projects carried out based on your support and cooperation

◇Project to commemorate and celebrate the history of Shimogamo Shrine, the world heritage site where rugby is first kicked

◇ A project to contribute to the development and improvement of the rugby world through Shimogamo Shrine

◇ Projects for the healthy development of young people through rugby

・Shimogamo Shrine Cup Tag Rugby Tournament ・Shrine training program for young people, etc.

◇ Activities related to public relations up to the previous issue, and activities necessary to achieve the Society's objectives

◇Project to commemorate and celebrate the history of Shimogamo Shrine, the world heritage site where rugby is first kicked

◇ A project to contribute to the development and improvement of the rugby world through Shimogamo Shrine

◇ Projects for the healthy development of young people through rugby

・Shimogamo Shrine Cup Tag Rugby Tournament

・Shrine training programs for young people, etc.

◇ Activities related to public relations up to the previous issue, and activities necessary to achieve the Society's objectives

Membership fees/donations account

Bank name: Kyoto Bank Branch name: Shimogamo Branch (Branch number: 142)
Type: Regular account Number: 3421142
Account Name:
World Rugby World Cup 2019

Membership types and annual fees

Regular members (corporate and group members) / Annual membership fee 30,000 yen per share Regular members (individual members) / Annual membership fee 2,000 yen per share Supporting members (lifetime membership fee) / Donation of 300,000 yen or more per share *Members are eligible for various benefits.
For more information, please contact the secretariat (075-781-0010). For inquiries by email, please use the "Inquiry Form [Rugby]".

Newsletter List

Chairman's Greetings and Founding Statement

The Rugby World Cup will be held in Japan in 2019. The draw for the group stage is held two years in advance, and it is customary for it to be held in Ireland or England. However, I requested that the draw be held in Japan, and for the first time, they broke with precedent and held the draw in Kyoto, Japan.
On May 10th, 2017, prior to the raffle at the Kyoto State Guest House, the guests were given the opportunity to watch a kemari game at Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site, introducing them to ancient Japanese ball games and Japanese culture. Furthermore, we were able to convey to rugby players from around the world that Tadasu-no-Mori Forest at Shimogamo Shrine is the "first kicking ground" of Kansai rugby.
In the autumn of the same year, Sawata Shrine, which enshrines Kamitamami, the god of rugby, as if to watch over the "first kick site," was rebuilt and a solemn enshrinement ceremony was held.

The World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine Rugby First Kick Site Commemoration Association was launched to commemorate the history and traditions of this "First Kick Site," as well as to promote healthy development in the shrine forest through rugby, in the hope of contributing to the development and improvement of rugby in Japan.

We believe that the projects we carry out will not only liven up the rugby world as a whole, but will also help young people to gain a proper understanding of traditional Japanese culture through shrines, which will lead to the future development of the rugby world and Japanese culture. We ask for your understanding and support.

Chairman of the Rugby First Kick Ground Commemoration Association

Yoshihiro Sakata

Yoshihiro Sakata

Advisor to the Japan Rugby Football Union Advisor to the Kansai Rugby Football Union Professor Emeritus at Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

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The birthplace of Kansai rugby, Shimogamo Shrine, World Heritage Site, Rugby First Kick Commemoration Society
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