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It’s a hopelessly complex question: how does the most populated urban area on the planet deal with 14 million residents going to work—many at the exact same time? The Tozai train line alone carries 76,000 passengers in an hour. The challenges of moving that many bodies at rush hour is enough to break your brain. And the answer? It might be as simple as noodles.

If you can drag yourself to one of the stations on Tokyo’s Tozai subway line, you may find a gift waiting for you: a free cup of hot noodles. This is a city initiative catered by the Soba noodle shops, which are a mainstay of Tokyo’s metro stations.

The Tokyo Metro Authority said, “We believe it’s not easy to wake up early in the morning when it is really cold outside.” But to be blunt, their main motivation is to spread out rush hour in the endlessly congested metro stations. And you know, nothing works like a little carrot (or in this case, a cup of noodles) to motivate folks to change. It sounds like a win-win. But there’s a catch. There’s always a catch.

You must swipe into the metro station before 9 AM for 10 days in a row. Only consistent early risers will get vouchers.

So, what’s the breakfast reward? The authority is giving out vouchers for multiple snacks, and it’s based on how many early risers join in the fun. The first 2,000 get regular tempura. Once 2,500 are onboard, it’s Soba noodles. Once Tokyo gets to 3,000, it’s a combo of both the buckwheat noodles and the fried snacks. And the gamification is working: metro officials were happy to announce their first 8,000 participants.

If you’re a New Yorker, sick of being packed elbow-to-elbow in the subway during rush hour, this is a sign. It might be time to write some letters requesting free hot bagels for early risers in the city that never sleeps.

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Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.