Waseda Campus is also the site where Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the predecessor of Waseda University, was founded. The campus is home to four museums: The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, Waseda University, Aizu Museum, Waseda University History Museum, and The Waseda International House of Literature (Haruki Murakami Library), but there are also many other pieces of architecture, art, and fine art scattered throughout the campus. As part of this special feature celebrating the founding of the university, we asked student campus tour guides, who regularly guide visitors around the campus, to introduce us to the cultural resources on Waseda Campus. Let's take a fresh look at the campus that we spend our daily lives on!
INDEX
▼The structural designer is the creator of Tokyo Tower! Okuma Memorial Hall
▼It's a gate, but it's not a gate? The main gate, the entrance to the university
▼Did you know these existed? Stone statues and minerals
▼21 paintings by Professor Yabuno Ken on Waseda Campus!
▼The Center for Academic Information and Central Library used to be a baseball field!
These two will be introducing it to you!
Campus Tour Guide
Rio Suzuki, 1st year master's student, Graduate Graduate School of Social Sciences
Yuto Kimura, fourth-year student School of Political Science and Economics
(From left) Kimura and Suzuki in front of the Okuma Memorial Hall
What is a "Campus Tour Guide"?
The Campus Tour has been held since 1989, and by July 2025, the cumulative number of participants had exceeded 400,000. The greatest attraction is that current Waseda students guide visitors around the campus, and these "guides" are called "campus tour guides." In order to welcome tour participants from a wide range of places, including junior high and high Alumnus students, Guardian, alumni, and others from overseas, student guides undergo approximately six months of training before making their debut as "professional guides" who can convey the charms of the university.
The structural designer of the Okuma Memorial Hall was the creator of Tokyo Tower!
The first place we visited was the Okuma Memorial Hall, a building that symbolizes Waseda University. It is used not only for Entrance Ceremony and Convocation, but also for student club events, so most students have probably visited it at least once. Let's hear some trivia about the Okuma Memorial Hall.
By the way, the Okuma Memorial Hall appears briefly in episode 29 of "Ultra Seven," which was broadcast on TV in the 1960s.
Suzuki: The Okuma Memorial Hall was built in 1927 and is currently designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Of particular note is the large clock tower on the left. The tower, which still chimes its solemn bell six times a day (at 8, 9, 12, 16, 20, and 21), is approximately 38 meters tall, about the same height as the original Ultraman (40 meters).
The number 38m may seem odd, but in the old unit of measurement it is 125 shaku. In reference to the "125-year lifespan theory" proposed by the university's first President, Shigenobu Okuma, Waseda University values the number 125, and it's said that the clock tower's height was decided based on this.
woody plantation The building was designed by Dr. Koichi Sato, who was Professor in the Department of Architecture at the time, and Dr. Takeo Sato, who was Professor an assistant professor at the time, Naito Tanaka Professor, who was involved in the construction of Tokyo Tower and other structures, is in charge of the structure. The symbol of Waseda and the symbol of Tokyo are actually created by the same person. It is also a bit proud of the fact that the symbol of Waseda and the symbol of Tokyo were actually created by the same person. The overall design is said to have been inspired by the Stockholm City Hall in Sweden, which is known as the setting for the Nobel Prize commemorative banquet.
There are six iron doors at the entrance to the auditorium, and if you look closely, you will see that in the center circle there are the letters "W," "A," "S," "E," "D," and "A." The photo shows the "S" and "E" doors in the center (left). The iron doors are quite heavy, and opening them is quite a challenge! (right)
Suzuki: Another distinctive feature is the four-leaf clover pattern found throughout the building, which is based on the Okuma family crest, "Uraumekenhanabishi." In addition to the Okuma Memorial Auditorium, these clover patterns are hidden in various places at Waseda University. Be sure to take a walk around the campus and find them!
Kimura: Incidentally, the pink hut standing between the Okuma Memorial Hall and Uni.Shop & Cafe 125 was originally the guardhouse for the Okuma Shigenobu residence, built in 1902. It is the only remaining building of the former Okuma residence, which was completely burned down in an air raid in May 1945, and it has a rich history as the oldest building still standing on the university campus.
The oldest existing building. Located in front of the Okuma Memorial Hall, it is currently used as a warehouse for Uni.Shop & Cafe 125.
It's a gate, but it's not a gate? The main gate, the entrance to the university
Many students who commute to Waseda Campus will pass through the main gate. But if you think about it, there is no gate...? It turns out that there is an important message behind this.
Kimura: When you hear the word "gate," you probably think of a physical gate like the Red Gate at the University of Tokyo. However, Waseda University not only does not have a gate, it also does not have gateposts or fences. An accordion-style gate is used only at night and during entrance exam periods, but at other times anyone can enter and exit freely, which is why it is called the "Gate Without a Gate."
Suzuki: This "gate without gates" represents an "open university" from two perspectives. First, it means that we do not reject anyone who wants to learn, and that we are open to anyone. As symbolized by the various entrance examination formats currently available, such as general selection, comprehensive selection, internal advancement, and adult entrance exams, this means that we are a place where people with diverse backgrounds gather.
Another point is that the university is physically open. Local residents can freely come and go, and anyone can enter and exit freely at any time, as it is located on a walking route for nearby nurseries and kindergartens. The lack of gates shows that the university is a "university open to the community" with no boundaries.
Left: Building No. 1, located next to the main gate. Inside is the History Museum, where you can view various materials related to the history of the university for free.
Photo on the right: As you enter the main gate, on your left you will see a stone monument bearing the Waseda University Alma Mater. Be sure to check it out!
Kimura: We often see local residents walking their dogs here, and elderly people sketching on campus. Additionally, Building No. 1, located next to the main gate, was designated a "Tokyo Metropolitan Government Selected Historic Building" in December 2024 due to its historical value.
Did you know these existed? Stone statues and minerals
Next, we visited Building No. 2 and Building No.14 If you look closely around the buildings, you'll see exhibits of stone statues and rare minerals! Let's take a closer look.
Kimura: There are actually quite a few little-known stone statues on campus. For example, beside Building No. 2 (Aizu Museum), near the path that leads from behind the security office at the service gate to the South Gate, there are stone statues called "Stone Images of Persons," "Pokusu," "Korean Stone Boys at Cheju Island," and "Korean Stone Sheeps."
The "Stone Images of Persons" was originally placed to protect graves. It is said that Aizu Yaichi (graduated from the Department of Literature at Waseda University in 1906), who specialized in art history, purchased it from an antique shop near Menkae Bridge. The "Pokusu" and "Korean Stone Boys at Cheju Island" are stone statues that originated in Korea and were donated by the Korea University Waseda University Alumni Association to commemorate the university's 125th anniversary.
Clockwise from top left: Stone Images of Persons, Pokusu, Korean Stone Boys at Cheju Island, Korean Stone Sheeps
Suzuki: The "Sekiyō" (stone sheep) also originated in Korea. They were placed to guard royal tombs and graves, and now two of them are installed side by side to guard the entrance to Building No. 2 for faculty and staff. They are among the more than 2,000 items donated by Mrs. Elizabeth Anna Gordon, a Christian and Buddhist scholar and former lecturer emeritus at Waseda University.
"Stone Sheep." A photo with the plump Waseda Bear.
Kimura: There is also a display of precious minerals next to Building No. 14. This was donated in 2001 by Minamigumi Co., Ltd., which has its headquarters in Samani, Hokkaido. Waseda University students have been visiting Samani every year for over 50 years as part of a class (earth science practical) majoring in Earth Science School of Education, and as a result of this exchange, the precious rock specimen was donated. The mineral, entitled "Letter from the Mantle," is peridotite, which rose to the surface from a depth of about 60 km when the Hidaka Mountains rose around 23 million years ago.
Next to it, under the title "Letters from the Deep Continental Crust," are two types of minerals: migmatite tonalite and gneiss. Both were formed in the Eocene to Miocene epochs of the Cenozoic era (53 to 15 million years ago), and the differences in their formation processes are reflected in the patterns on their surfaces.
A letter from the mantle (left) and a letter from deep within the continental crust (right)
Suzuki: The mineral in the "Letter from the Deep Seabed" exhibit is a sedimentary rock called "bedded chert," formed when plankton shells accumulated on the deep seabed. It was transported over thousands of kilometers over a period of approximately 100 million years by the movement of oceanic plates, reaching the ocean trench that bordered East Asia in the Early Cretaceous period (approximately 120 million years ago) and being added to the continent. Why not experience this eternal drama on campus?
A letter from the deep seabed. Chert is a hard, dense sedimentary rock made up of tiny quartz crystals.
21 paintings by Professor Yabuno Ken on Waseda Campus!
Once inside, I noticed large paintings hanging in several buildings. All of these were created by the same artist, and they depict intricately detailed landscapes and buildings not only of Waseda University but also around the world. This time, I'll take a look at two of the works in Building No. 8 and Building No.14.
Suzuki: There are many paintings on display on campus by Professor Emeritus Yabuno Ken, a painter who is an Honorary Fellow of Waseda University and a member of the Japan Art Academy. There are 21 paintings on display on Waseda Campus alone, and some are also on display at Nishi-Waseda Campus and the affiliated high school.
Who is Professor Yabuno Ken?
Born in 1943, he completed a Master's degree in Art History at the Graduate School of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Waseda University in 1969. He served as Professor Professor at Waseda University Art and Architecture School Design and the Department of Creative Engineering, School of School of Fundamental Science and Engineering Engineering, before becoming an Honorary Fellow, Professor Emeritus, and Trustee of Waseda University in 2014. In 2018, he was named a Waseda University Person of Merit for the Arts. He is an advisor Cultural Affairs Division, a member of the Japan Art Academy, a director of the Nikikai, and former director of the Fuchu Art Museum. He continues to paint numerous works depicting campus landscapes from the early days of Waseda University to the present day, using the deep blue sky known as "Yabuno Blue" as a backdrop.
Kimura: The title of the painting at the end of the stairs leading up to the second floor from the main entrance Building No. 8 is "Time Focused on the Gaze." It depicts a mysterious town of stairs where the Roman, Islamic, and Catholic eras mix together. I think that having the painting of stairs at the end of the stairs makes it easy to immerse yourself in that worldview.
"When I Look" 1997 (Click to enlarge)
The painting on the first floor Building No. 14 is titled "Gathering and Scattering." It was painted to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the school's founding, and depicts people "gathering and scattering" under the "light of the same ideals," as stated in a line from Alma Mater.
"Gathering and Scattering" 2000 (Click to enlarge)
It used to be a baseball field! The Center for Academic Information and Central Library
The last place I visited was Central Library, which is located across the street from the north gate Waseda Campus. Near the entrance plaza, there were some baseball-related busts and stone monuments. What are they?
Abe Stadium in 1987. Check out this article for more details!
Kimura: Until 1987, the site of Central Library was a baseball stadium called Abe Baseball Stadium. It was here that the first ceremonial first pitch in Japan was thrown, thrown by Okuma Shigenobu. It has also left a variety of markings on the history of Japanese baseball, including the first night game in Japan, the first live broadcast of professional baseball, and the "Final Waseda-Keio Game," which was made into a movie.
The busts of Abe Isoo and Tobita Suishu mark this glorious history. Abe Isoo was the Waseda University baseball teamthe first captain of , and is known as the "father of Japanese baseball" for his contributions not only to Waseda but also to the development of baseball techniques and culture in Japan. It is said that the stadium came to be called "Abe Baseball Stadium" in recognition of his achievements.
Busts of Isoo Abe (left) and Hoshu Tobita (right). The Tokyo Big Six Baseball League, which has led university baseball, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Tobita Suishu was the first coach of the Waseda University baseball team. He coined the phrase "put your soul into every pitch" and is known as the "father of student baseball" for his dedication to the development of high school and university baseball.
Suzuki: The baseball team dormitory and stadium were relocated to Higashifushimi, and in 1991 the current Central Library was built on the site of the stadium. It has a collection of over 2.9 million books. In addition to Central Library, Waseda has over 20 other libraries and reference rooms with a total collection of over 6 million books! Keio University's total collection is said to be around 5 million books, so we are proud to have the edge in the Waseda-Keio competition for book collection size.
What did you think? By taking a fresh look at things you normally overlook, you'll be able to discover even more of Waseda's charm! Be sure to take a stroll around Waseda with a fresh perspective.
Interview and text: Naoto Oguma (graduated from School of Letters, Arts and Sciences II in 2002)
X: @oguman1977
Photography: Chihiro Hashimoto
[Next Focus Preview] "Reading Special" to be released on Friday, October 24th
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