【Uma Musume Pretty Derby】Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front (Osaka Prefecture) Complete Guide
What is Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front?
Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front is located in front of the central ticket gate on the 2nd floor of Hankyu Umeda Station in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and is one of Osaka’s most representative meeting spots. Its official name is “Hankyu Big Man,” and it is distinguished by a cylindrical monument equipped with a large vision display.
For fans of “Uma Musume Pretty Derby,” this location holds special significance as a sacred site, known for appearances in the work and as a gathering place for fans. Being located in Umeda, the center of Osaka, it functions as an exchange hub for Uma Musume fans due to its excellent accessibility and high recognition.
BIGMAN Front Location and Detailed Information
Exact Location
- Address: 8-47 Tsunodacho, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Inside Hankyu Umeda Station
- Installation Location: In front of the central ticket gate on the 2nd floor of Hankyu Umeda Station
- Nearest Station: Hankyu Umeda Station (directly connected)
BIGMAN Characteristics
BIGMAN is a cylindrical structure approximately 10 meters tall with large displays installed on all four sides. These displays continuously broadcast advertising videos, news, weather forecasts, and more, serving as a landmark for people meeting up, a role it has maintained for many years.
Since its installation in 1977, the culture of “If you’re meeting up in Umeda, it’s at BIGMAN Front” has taken root in Osaka, making it a place where many people come and go regardless of weekday or weekend.
Access Methods
Access by Train
When Using Hankyu Railway
- Hankyu Kobe Line, Takarazuka Line, Kyoto Line: Get off at Umeda Station, exit from the 2nd floor central ticket gate and BIGMAN is right in front of you
- BIGMAN is visible directly in front of you upon exiting the ticket gate, so you won’t get lost
Access from Other Lines
- JR Osaka Station: About 5 minutes walk
- Exit from the Midosuji North Exit and head toward Hankyu Umeda Station
- The underground shopping street “Whitty Umeda” route is convenient
- Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Umeda Station: About 3 minutes walk
- From the Chuo-Kita ticket gate, head toward Hankyu Umeda Station
- Go up to the 2nd floor via the underground shopping area
- Osaka Metro Tani-Machi Line Higashi-Umeda Station: About 5 minutes walk
- Exit from the Hankyu Higashi-dori ticket gate to street level
- Hanshin Railway Umeda Station: About 5 minutes walk
- From the East ticket gate, go through the underground shopping area toward the Hankyu area
Advice for First-Time Visitors
The area around Umeda Station has a complex structure with multiple railway companies. First-time visitors can avoid getting lost by keeping these points in mind:
- Head for Hankyu Umeda Station: Look for the “Hankyu” sign in the direction indicators
- Head to the 2nd floor: BIGMAN is located in front of the central ticket gate on the 2nd floor
- Follow the flow of people: As it’s a famous meeting spot, many people are heading toward BIGMAN Front
Connection to Uma Musume
Appearances in the Work
In “Uma Musume Pretty Derby,” Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front appears as a meeting spot in scenes set in Osaka or when trainers and Uma Musume go on expeditions to the Kansai region.
When Osaka and the Kansai region appear in the work, real locations are often depicted to add realism, and BIGMAN Front is recognized as one of these.
Fans’ Sacred Sites Pilgrimage Spot
Among Uma Musume fans, “sacred site pilgrimages” to locations that appear in the work or related locations are popular. Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front is:
- Easy accessibility: Located in central Osaka with multiple train lines available
- High recognition: A landmark representing Osaka
- Easy to photograph: Photo shooting is possible in public spaces
making it an easily accessible sacred site for Uma Musume fans in the Kansai region.
As a Meeting Point for Fan Events
BIGMAN Front is sometimes chosen as a meeting place for Uma Musume-related off-meetings and fan meetups. The reasons include:
- Easy-to-spot landmark: Anyone can easily find it
- Spacious area: Multiple people can meet up comfortably
- Well-equipped surrounding facilities: Abundant cafes and restaurants
Surrounding Facilities and Uma Musume Fan Spots
Anime and Game-Related Shops
HEP FIVE (3 minutes walk)
A commercial complex within walking distance of Hankyu Umeda Station. Shops handling anime goods are located here, where you may find Uma Musume-related merchandise.
Yodobashi Camera Umeda (5 minutes walk)
A large electronics retailer, but the game and hobby floor is well-stocked with Uma Musume game software, related books, figures, and more.
Animate Umeda (7 minutes walk)
A major anime and game specialty store chain. Latest Uma Musume goods, CDs, books, and more are always in stock, with limited product sales also held.
Cafes and Rest Spots
There are numerous cafes and restaurants around BIGMAN that can be used for rest during sacred site pilgrimages or as places for fan interaction:
- Hankyu Sanbankai: Multiple dining restaurants
- Lucua Osaka: Shopping mall directly connected to JR Osaka Station
- Grand Front Osaka: Well-equipped with stylish cafes and restaurants
Accommodations
For visitors making sacred site pilgrimages from distant areas, there are multiple hotels around Umeda:
- Directly connected to/within walking distance of Hankyu Umeda Station: Multiple business hotels and city hotels
- Price ranges: From budget-friendly business hotels to luxury hotels with diverse options
Precautions and Etiquette When Visiting
Photography Precautions
BIGMAN Front is a public space, but observe the following when photographing:
- Consideration for other users: Be careful not to interfere with people waiting to meet up
- Avoid long-term occupancy: Especially during busy times, keep shooting time short
- Tripod use: Use in locations that don’t obstruct passage
- Consideration for people appearing in photos: Don’t forget privacy considerations
Crowded Times
BIGMAN Front is particularly crowded during the following times:
- Weekdays: 17:00–20:00 (peak commute and meeting times)
- Weekends: 12:00–18:00 (crowded with shoppers)
- Friday nights: Especially heavy crowding
Relatively quiet times:
- Weekday mornings: 10:00–12:00
- Weekday 14:00–16:00: Post-lunch break time
Visiting in Cosplay
If visiting in Uma Musume cosplay, note the following:
- Securing a changing room: Changing clothes is prohibited in public facilities. Use nearby cosplay changing rooms
- Consideration for surroundings: Recognize that this is a public space with many general users
- Shooting permission: If doing large-scale photography, it’s advisable to confirm with the facility management beforehand
Tips for Meeting Up at BIGMAN Front
Specifying Exact Meeting Spots
Since BIGMAN is cylindrical and visible from all four sides, just saying “BIGMAN Front” may prevent you from meeting. Be more specific:
- “BIGMAN’s Umeda Hankyu side (ticket gate side)”: Most common
- “BIGMAN’s HEP FIVE side”: Direction where the red Ferris wheel is visible
- “BIGMAN’s ○○ side”: Specify using surrounding landmarks
Securing Communication Means
Reception is good, but during crowded times it’s difficult to find each other, so:
- Ensure your smartphone is charged
- Keep SNS and message apps ready for communication
- Arrive about 5 minutes early to the meeting time
BIGMAN Front by Season
Spring (March–May)
A season with pleasant weather and increasing tourists. Campaigns coordinated with in-game events of Uma Musume may be held.
Summer (June–August)
Rainy season preparations are necessary. BIGMAN Front is indoors (within the station), making it suitable for rainy-day meetings. Heavy crowding is expected during summer vacation.
Autumn (September–November)
Pleasant weather makes this the ideal season for sacred site pilgrimages. Anniversary events and real-life events for Uma Musume may be held.
Winter (December–February)
Special decorations may be added around Christmas and the New Year. Though it’s cold, the indoor location makes for comfortable meetings.
Umeda Sightseeing Plan for Uma Musume Fans
Half-Day Course (approximately 4 hours)
- 10:00: Memorial photo at Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front
- 10:30: Check out goods at Animate Umeda
- 12:00: Lunch around Umeda
- 13:30: Tour Yodobashi Camera’s game and hobby floor
- 14:30: Shopping at HEP FIVE
Full-Day Course (approximately 8 hours)
- 10:00: Gather at BIGMAN Front and take photos
- 11:00: Visit nearby anime shops
- 12:30: Lunch
- 14:00: Visit other sacred sites in Osaka city (Namba, Shinsaibashi, etc.)
- 17:00: Return to Umeda and rest at a cafe
- 18:00: Dinner
- 19:30: Memorial photo at BIGMAN Front at night
Other Uma Musume-Related Spots in Kansai
Other Kansai Uma Musume-related spots to visit when coming to BIGMAN Front:
Hanshin Racecourse (Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture)
An actual racecourse where famous horses that became models for Uma Musume raced. About 30 minutes by Hankyu Takarazuka Line from Hankyu Umeda Station.
Kyoto Racecourse (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
One of Kansai’s representative racecourses. About 1 hour by train from Umeda.
Nihonbashi (Naniwa Ward, Osaka City)
The center of Osaka’s otaku culture. Numerous anime goods shops with abundant Uma Musume-related merchandise. About 15 minutes by subway from Umeda.
Summary: What to Know Before Visiting BIGMAN Front
Hankyu Umeda BIGMAN Front is one of the sacred sites Uma Musume fans should visit when coming to Osaka. It has excellent accessibility, well-equipped surrounding facilities, and charm as an Osaka landmark.
When visiting:
- Avoid crowded times: Weekday mornings or early afternoon are recommended
- Enjoy surrounding facilities: Well-stocked anime shops and cafes
- Follow etiquette: Remember this is a public space
- Combine with other sacred sites: Kansai has other related spots like racecourses
With these points in mind, enjoy a fulfilling Uma Musume sacred site pilgrimage. A commemorative photo at BIGMAN Front will surely become a wonderful memory of your Uma Musume experience in Osaka.
Located in the center of Umeda, one of Japan’s premier commercial districts, BIGMAN Front holds special significance as both a meeting place for Uma Musume fans and a location to reconfirm love for the work. By all means, visit once and experience its atmosphere.
