【Uma Musume Pretty Derby】Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store (Tokyo) Complete Guide: Detailed Information and Access for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Relationship Between Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store and Uma Musume Pretty Derby
“Uma Musume Pretty Derby” is a popular mixed media content project developed by Cygames. The work depicts “Uma Musume” (personified racehorses) attending Tracen Academy and competing in races, and is developed across multiple mediums including anime, games, and manga.
Among these, “Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store,” a real store located in Kodaira City, Tokyo, is known among fans as a sacred site pilgrimage spot as an actual store that appears in the anime. In the first season of the anime, it is depicted as the background of characters’ daily-life scenes, making it a precious place to realistically experience the work’s world.
About Uma Musume Pretty Derby
“Uma Musume Pretty Derby” is a story about “Uma Musume,” personified characters based on real racehorses, pursuing their dreams on the grand stage alongside their trainers. The first season anime aired in 2018, with the second season in 2021 and the third season in 2023. Additionally, the smartphone game app launched in 2021 and achieved great popularity.
The work’s characteristic is its careful portrayal of the Uma Musume’s growth, friendship, and rivalries while respecting the history of real racehorses. Unique worldbuilding elements such as “Winning Live” performed after races add to the appeal.
Basic Information About Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store
Store Overview
Store Name: Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store
Address: 316-1 Kaida-cho, Kodaira City, Tokyo
Business Hours: Normally 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM (subject to seasonal changes)
Parking: Available (free parking included)
Access: Approximately 15-minute walk from “Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station” on the Seibu Tamagawa Line
Inageya is a community-focused supermarket chain operating primarily in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture. The Kodaira Kaida store is a locally-rooted store in a residential area, featuring a wide selection of products from daily necessities to food items.
Store Characteristics
The Kodaira Kaida store has the appearance of a typical suburban supermarket, characterized by a spacious parking lot and bright interior. The appearance in the anime depicts the exterior of the store, with the signage and building shape faithfully reproduced.
The area surrounding the store is a quiet residential district, allowing visitors to experience the everyday landscape of Kodaira City. It can be said to be a place where one realizes that the world of Uma Musume exists within such everyday life.
Appearance in Anime Works
Appearance in Season 1
Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store appears in episodes of “Uma Musume Pretty Derby” Season 1, featured in the background of the characters’ daily-life scenes. By using real stores as backgrounds when depicting life at Tracen Academy, the work gains realism and familiarity.
Specifically, the store’s exterior appears in backgrounds when characters are shopping or walking through the streets. It is evident that the animation production team conducted actual location scouting and faithfully recreated the site.
High Reproduction Accuracy
The depiction in the anime boasts extremely high reproduction accuracy of the actual store’s exterior. Details such as the signboard design, building colors, and parking lot layout are carefully depicted, and fans visiting for sacred site pilgrimage are often moved by the high correspondence between the anime scenes and reality.
Such careful depiction of real locations is a characteristic of the entire Uma Musume series. By faithfully reproducing real facilities including racetracks, the work enhances immersion in the fictional world.
Sacred Site Pilgrimage Points
Shooting Spots
The following points are recommended as shooting spots for sacred site pilgrimage at Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store.
Front of Store: Shooting the store front from the parking lot side will get you an angle closest to the anime scenes. Frame the signage and entire building.
Full View from Parking Lot: Photographing from a slightly distant position allows you to recreate the background scene from the anime.
Near Store Entrance: Shooting up close captures the building’s details.
Precautions When Shooting
Please observe the following points when conducting sacred site pilgrimage.
Remember It’s an Operating Store: Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store is an actively operating store. Be considerate of shopping customers by not blocking passageways or lingering in one spot for extended periods.
Parking Lot Etiquette: Avoid using the parking lot solely for shooting. When taking photos, be considerate and also make purchases at the store.
Privacy Consideration: Be mindful that other shoppers don’t appear in your shots, and if they do, apply appropriate processing before posting to SNS.
Noise Consideration: Since the store is located in a residential area, avoid speaking loudly or making noise in groups.
Best Timing for Visits
Weekday mornings or early afternoons are suitable times for sacred site pilgrimage. During these times, there are relatively fewer shoppers, making photography easier.
Avoid shooting on weekends, holidays, or evenings when there are many shoppers, and be especially careful not to inconvenience store users.
Seasonally, spring through early summer is recommended to match the anime’s atmosphere. Choosing a sunny day allows for bright and clear photographs.
Detailed Access Methods
Access by Train
Nearest Station: “Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station” on the Seibu Tamagawa Line
Travel Time: Approximately 15-minute walk from the station
The route from Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station is as follows.
- Exit from the north exit of Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station
- Head north on the road in front of the station
- Cross Aome Kaido
- Pass through the residential area heading northwest
- Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store comes into view near the intersection in Kaida-cho
The walking route passes through residential areas, allowing you to enjoy a quiet environment. Along the way, you can observe the everyday landscape of Kodaira City and feel the Uma Musume world.
Access by Bus
It is also possible to use the Kodaira City community bus “Niji Bus.” However, as the frequency is limited, it is recommended to check the timetable in advance.
Access by Car
Parking: Free parking available on store grounds
Capacity: Approximately 50 vehicles
When accessing by car, enter Aome Kaido and head toward the Kodaira city area, following directional signs. Using car navigation with “Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store” or the address “316-1 Kaida-cho, Kodaira City, Tokyo” is convenient.
The parking lot is for store customers, so be sure to shop inside the store when visiting for sacred site pilgrimage.
Cycling and Walking Exploration
While there are not multiple Uma Musume sacred site pilgrimage spots scattered throughout Kodaira City, exploring the Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station area and Kodaira City allows you to feel the atmosphere of western Tokyo that served as the work’s stage.
Using a rental bicycle allows access from the station to the store in approximately 5 minutes, enabling efficient pilgrimage.
Nearby Attractions and Uma Musume Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Characteristics of Kodaira City
Kodaira City is a residential city located in the northern part of the Tama region of Tokyo. It is characterized by a green environment and calm residential areas, and has developed as a bedroom community with good access to the city center.
The Tamagawa Canal runs through the city and is maintained as a walking path. It is cherished by local residents as a spot to enjoy seasonal nature.
Area Around Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station
In the area around Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station, the nearest station, student-oriented restaurants and cafes are scattered. It is a suitable place to take a break before or after sacred site pilgrimage.
The Hitotsubashi University Kodaira International Campus, for which the station is named, is also nearby, and you can experience an academic atmosphere.
Uma Musume Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots in the Kanto Region
After visiting Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store, it is also recommended to visit other Uma Musume sacred sites in the Kanto region.
Fuchu Area: The Tokyo Racecourse is located here, where you can most strongly feel the world of Uma Musume. Visiting on actual race days deepens understanding of the work.
Tachikawa Area: Scenes from anime appear around Tachikawa Station, where you can enjoy an urban landscape. Scenes along the north exit of Tachikawa Station and the railroad are depicted in the work.
Kichijoji Area: Inokashira Park appears in the anime, and scenes in a nature-rich environment are impressive. You can enjoy sacred site pilgrimage while exploring the park.
Other Sacred Sites Within Tokyo
The Uma Musume series features various locations throughout Tokyo.
Shinjuku Area: The vibrant cityscape near Shinjuku Alta is depicted.
Harajuku and Omotesando Area: Karaoke Kan 2-bankan and Omotesando Hills, centers of youth culture, also appear in the work.
Shibuya Area: Famous landscapes near Shibuya Scramble Crossing are also recreated in the anime.
Ohi Racecourse: As a racecourse within Tokyo, it serves as an important location connecting the work’s world and reality.
Sacred Sites in Chiba Prefecture
Nakayama Racecourse: One of Japan’s racing holy sites, serving as the stage for important race scenes in Uma Musume. Central gate, main gate, paddock, grandstand, and more are faithfully reproduced in detail.
Funabashi Hoten Station: As an access station to Nakayama Racecourse, it also appears in the anime.
Narita Airport Terminal 2: May appear in overseas expedition scenes and similar content.
Sacred Sites in the Kansai Region
Osaka Prefecture: Emblematic locations in Osaka such as in front of Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN are depicted.
Kyoto Prefecture: Kyoto Racecourse appears in the work as a major racing facility in the Kansai region. Various spots including the Yodo Station passage and the area in front of the racecourse track serve as sacred sites. Traditional Kyoto landscapes near Sannenzaka are also depicted in the work.
Shiga Prefecture: Historic locations such as Oryano Mori Kamo Shrine are known as sacred sites.
Hyogo Prefecture: Hanshin Racecourse is an important sacred site appearing in many scenes, including the entrance, paddock 3rd floor, central entrance area, grandstand, and around the winner’s circle.
Tips for Enjoying Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Advance Preparation
Proper advance preparation is important for maximizing the enjoyment of sacred site pilgrimage.
Verify the Relevant Anime Scene: Before visiting, rewatch the scene in which Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store appears. Checking what angle it’s depicted from and what time of day it is will smooth the photography process on-site.
Utilize Map Applications: Register your destination in your smartphone’s map app and check surrounding information in advance.
Camera Preparation: While a smartphone camera is sufficient, if you want higher quality photos, prepare a digital camera. Don’t forget spare batteries and memory cards.
Information Sharing on SNS
When sharing your sacred site pilgrimage experience on SNS, you can connect with fellow fans using the following hashtags.
- #ウマ娘
- #ウマ娘聖地巡礼
- #いなげや小平回田店
- #聖地巡礼
However, before posting, don’t forget to consider the store and surrounding residents, and verify that no other shoppers appear in your photos.
Creating a Pilgrimage Notebook
Whether digital or analog, recording your pilgrimage in a notebook allows you to preserve memories in tangible form. Recording the visit date and time, weather, photographs taken, and impressions allows for enjoyment when reviewing later.
Efficiently Planning Routes to Visit Multiple Sacred Sites
Since multiple Uma Musume sacred sites exist throughout Tokyo and the Kanto region, planning an efficient route allows you to visit multiple locations in one day.
For example, the route of visiting the Kodaira Kaida store and then visiting the Tachikawa area or Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu is geographically efficient. Combining the Seibu Line and Chuo Line enables smooth travel.
Manners and Etiquette for Uma Musume Fans
Consideration for Local Residents
The area around Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store is a residential neighborhood where many people live. When enjoying sacred site pilgrimage, pay particular attention to the following.
Avoid Making Noise: Refrain from speaking loudly or making noise in groups.
Don’t Trespass on Private Property: Never enter private property without permission for photography purposes.
Always Take Trash Home: Never leave garbage at the site, and always take any waste with you.
Avoid Late-Night Visits: Since it’s a residential area, late-night visits inconvenience nearby residents. Visit during store hours in daylight.
Consideration for the Store
Before being a sacred site pilgrimage spot, Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store is a supermarket that local people use daily.
Don’t Obstruct Shoppers: Avoid standing still for extended periods near the entrance or in passageways.
Generally Avoid In-Store Photography: The store interior is private space, and other shoppers have privacy rights. Limit photography to the exterior.
Appropriate Parking Lot Use: Even if your primary purpose is photography, show respect to the store by making purchases.
Consideration for Staff: When asking store staff about sacred site pilgrimage, avoid busy times and ask concisely.
Information Sharing Within Fan Communities
The Uma Musume fan community actively shares sacred site pilgrimage information. When sharing your experience, contributing accurate information and indicating that your visit followed proper manners helps form a healthy fan culture.
Uma Musume’s World and Real Locations
Production Emphasizing Realism
A major characteristic of Uma Musume Pretty Derby is its respect for the history of real racehorses and faithful reproduction of real locations. From everyday places like Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store to specialized facilities like racecourses, everything is depicted based on careful location scouting and research.
This production approach brings deep realism to the work, allowing fans to more deeply experience the fictional world through sacred site pilgrimage.
Connection with Racing Culture
The Uma Musume series also functions as an entry point to racing culture. Many fans become interested in racing through the work and visit actual racecourses.
The appearance of both everyday places like Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store and special places like racecourses in the work conveys that the Uma Musume’s lives are continuous with our everyday existence.
Mixed Media Expansion and Sacred Site Pilgrimage
The Uma Musume Project is developed across diverse media including anime, games, manga, and music. The worlds depicted in each medium are connected to real locations, allowing fans to enjoy the fictional world from various angles.
Sacred site pilgrimage is an important element within this mixed media expansion, enabling fans to actively participate in the fictional world.
Attractions of Kodaira City
Green Residential City
While located in Tokyo, Kodaira City maintains a green environment as a residential city. A network of water and greenery, including the Tamagawa Canal, runs throughout the city, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal nature.
Cultural and Educational Facilities
The city is also an academic city, home to multiple universities including Hitotsubashi University, Tsuda University, and Kaetsu University. Cultural facilities such as the Kodaira City Central Library are well-developed, giving the city a calm cultural atmosphere.
Excellent Access
Multiple railway lines including the Seibu Shinjuku Line, Seibu Tamagawa Line, Seibu Akiruno Line, and JR Musashino Line run through the area, providing excellent access to central Tokyo and surrounding regions. The city is valued for combining livability with convenience.
Packing Checklist for Your Visit
A packing list of items for comfortable enjoyment of sacred site pilgrimage.
Essential Items
- Smartphone: Needed for map apps, camera, and SNS posting
- Mobile Battery: Battery consumption is high from photography and map checking
- Transit IC Card: Convenient for train and bus travel
- Cash: For store purchases
- Beverages: Particularly important for heat stroke prevention in summer
Helpful Items to Have
- Camera: For higher quality photographs
- Tripod or Mini Tripod: For self-timer shooting or stable photography
- Notebook and Pen: To record your pilgrimage
- Towel: For wiping sweat or rain
- Folding Umbrella: To cope with weather changes
- Eco Bag: For store shopping
Prior Preparation
- Download relevant anime episodes to your smartphone
- Create or save sacred site pilgrimage maps
- Research nearby restaurants and cafes
- Check weather forecasts
Summary: Enjoying the Uma Musume World at Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store
“Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store,” which appears in “Uma Musume Pretty Derby,” is one of the important sacred sites adorning the work’s daily scenes. This store in a residential area of Kodaira City, Tokyo, is cherished by many fans as a special place where the anime world and reality intersect.
When conducting sacred site pilgrimage, it is important to always remember that the store is actively operating and that the surrounding area is a residential neighborhood, never forgetting to show consideration to local residents and store users. By maintaining proper manners during your visit, you can enjoy sacred site pilgrimage culture for years to come.
After visiting Inageya Kodaira Kaida Store, why not visit other Uma Musume sacred sites in the Kanto region? Numerous sacred sites are scattered throughout the city, including Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, the Tachikawa area, and Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. Extending further, locations where you can experience the Uma Musume world exist nationwide, including Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture and Kyoto and Hanshin racecourses in the Kansai region.
Uma Musume Pretty Derby is a work that carefully weaves together the history of real racehorses and real locations. Through sacred site pilgrimage, you can deepen your understanding of the work while rediscovering the charm of locations throughout Japan.
Verify the latest information before your visit and pay attention to changes in weather or business hours. Enjoy a safe and fun sacred site pilgrimage.
