
No one said the most important meal of the day can’t also be the cheapest.
Many of Tokyo’s universities are located right in the middle of the metropolis, and the fact that they’re in such close proximity to the rest of the city keeps most of them from having any sort of “college town” atmosphere. One notable exception, though, are the adjacent neighborhoods of Waseda and Takadanobaba, site of the three downtown campuses of prestigious Waseda University.
The area’s streets are packed with ramen joints, fast food restaurants, bars, pubs, and myriad other ways for Waseda’s students to deliciously and conveniently destroy their bodies. But those aren’t exactly the healthiest choices, which is why the school is trying to encourage students to eat the cafeteria’s nutritionally balanced meals.
Cafeteria breakfasts are a bit of a hard sell, though. After all, it’s tough enough for some students to drag themselves out of bed and get to their first class of the day on time, let alone arrive on campus early enough to get something to eat before roll call. Add in Waseda University’s reputation for hard partying, and you can assume that on any given morning a not-insignificant portion of the student body is hung over and really craving that extra 30 minutes or so of sleep it can squeeze in by skipping breakfast.
That’s why, for a limited time, the cafeterias of all Waseda University’s campuses are offering breakfast for just 100 yen ($0.83). At that ridiculously low price, you might be imagining a pretty sparse spread, like some instant oatmeal, a wedge of grapefruit, and maybe a toothpick. Waseda didn’t earn it’s prominent place in Japanese academia by putting in half-efforts, though, and the 100-yen breakfasts are startlingly high-class.
Pictured above is one of the initial two options being offered: hamburger steak with a small omelet, sesame-seasoned spinach, shredded cabbage, miso soup, and rice. Not pictured is the vegetable juice that also comes with the set.
Not in the mood for meat? The alternative breakfast swaps the hamburger steak and omelet for miso-stewed mackerel.
Both of these were offered during the week of November 16 at Waseda’s main campus. This week, the choices are grilled teriyaki yellowtail and chicken cutlet.
The 100-yen breakfast promotion ends at the main campus November 27, but moves to the Toyama/engineering campus on November 30 for three weeks, and starts a five-day stint at the Nishi Waseda/arts and humanities campus from December 7.
Source: Waseda University
Top image: Waseda University
Insert images: Waseda University (1, 2, 3) (edited by RocketNews24)




Knife-wielding professor fired from international department of one of Tokyo’s top universities
Japanese university’s amazing dining menu fills students’ bellies for a very reasonable price
School Cafeteria for adults is a great place to go for cheap Japanese food in Tokyo
Tokyo University of the Arts to offer graduate program in video game design next year
Tokyo restaurant offers amazing sushi lunch deal for less than 5 bucks
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Are Japan’s room-temperature curry packets the boxed lunch heroes we’ve been looking for? [Taste test]
Studio Ghibli theme park announces new expansion saluting a previously off-limits anime
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Police ask Kumamoto residents to not get blackout drunk as much during earthquake relief efforts
Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Tokyo is getting a branch of famous Los Angeles hot dog chain Pink’s with Japan-exclusive items
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tokyo Medical University accused of dropping women’s entrance exam scores 10-20 percent each year
Soup curry and onigiri for breakfast at a super tasty semi-secret spot in Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
All-you-can-eat meat offered by restaurant in the heart of Tokyo for less than 10 bucks