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At the bottom of Ground Hill near Waseda Central Library is restaurant “Erumu.” Since its opening 34 years ago, owner Katsumi Yamaguchi has been satisfying the appetite of Waseda students with affordable, hearty meals even after the consumption tax increase in 2014.

Many are familiar with Erumu’s one important rule: unless you want to make Mr. Yamaguchi angry, if you are in a group, order the same as everyone else. Mr. Yamaguchi does not enforce this rule to cut costs, but out of consideration, so that customers can leave together with the people they come with.

Line forming in front of Erumu

Erumu’s menu of hearty, but affordable options

Owner of Erumu, Mr. Yamaguchi

Erumu’s famous Carbonara

One customer told us, “My son, who is currently studying abroad in France, loves this restaurant and asked me to come here in his place.”

When asked about his plans after retirement, Mr. Yamaguchi replied, “Off to the otherworld!” We asked Mr. Yamaguchi if he had a message for students to which he embarrassingly admitted, “No, I don’t.” Customers at the counter laughed as Mr. Yamaguchi went about his routine, unfazed by the restaurant’s imminent closure.

Behind Mr. Yamaguchi’s words, “I’m not all that sad to see the restaurant close,” lingered a tinge of pathos towards the end of Erumu’s legacy.