【Uma Musume: Pretty Derby】Complete Guide to Oi Racecourse (Tokyo)
Oi Racecourse is a local racecourse located in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, and serves as an important setting in “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby,” a multimedia content project developed by Cygames. This article provides more detailed explanations than any other site about the charm of Oi Racecourse, which holds special meaning for Uma Musume fans, details of collaboration events, and the work’s connections to the venue.
The Deep Connection Between Oi Racecourse and Uma Musume
Positioning of Oi Racecourse in the Work
Oi Racecourse is depicted as an important racecourse representing local racing in the world of “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby.” Particularly in the anime “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 3,” stories set at Oi Racecourse unfold, with the heat and emotion of local racing carefully expressed.
In-game, multiple races held at Oi Racecourse are incorporated into breeding scenarios, allowing players to enter their Uma Musume in races at Oi Racecourse. This system allows players to experience the appeal of local racing in addition to central racing.
Uma Musume Characters Associated with Oi Racecourse
Uma Musume characters with particularly deep connections to Oi Racecourse include those from local racing backgrounds. These characters reflect the history of actual racehorses’ achievements at Oi Racecourse, making it an important spot for pilgrimage to sacred locations for fans.
In the work, the atmosphere and characteristics of Oi Racecourse are faithfully recreated, and fans who have visited the actual location have shared numerous comments expressing emotion such as “The scenery we saw in the anime is right here.”
The Full Picture of Tokyo Mega Illumi × Uma Musume Collaboration
Overview and Duration of Collaboration Event
At Oi Racecourse, the winter tradition “Tokyo Mega Illumi” has been collaborating with “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” since 2022. The 2024-2025 season marks the third consecutive year of collaboration, with various collaborative projects running from November 2, 2024, to January 12, 2025, on Mega Illumi operating days.
This collaboration event is a must-see for fans, combining Tokyo Mega Illumi, which won first place four consecutive years (2020-2021 through 2023-2024) in Walker Plus’s “Illuminations You Want to Visit Nationwide Ranking,” with the popular Uma Musume content.
Rainbow-Glowing Grand Fountain Uma Musume Collaboration Ver.
One of the highlight projects of the collaboration event is the “Rainbow-Glowing Grand Fountain Uma Musume Collaboration Ver.” The normally popular grand fountain show at Tokyo Mega Illumi collaborates with Uma Musume’s music and unfolds with special production effects.
In the fountain show, water and light dance to popular Uma Musume songs, creating a fantastical space that shines in rainbow colors. This production has received high praise not only from Uma Musume fans but also from general visitors who came for the illuminations, making it extremely popular as a photography spot.
Original In-Venue Announcements and Character Panels
On Mega Illumi operating days, original in-venue announcements by Uma Musume characters are conducted. This project, allowing visitors to hear their favorite Uma Musume’s voice while walking through the racecourse, becomes a special experience for fans.
Additionally, life-size character panels are set up throughout the venue, allowing fans to freely enjoy photo sessions. The panel placement is coordinated with the actual highlights of Oi Racecourse, creating a system where visitors can experience the Uma Musume world while touring the racecourse.
Collaboration Limited Food & Novelties
The collaboration event features collaboration-limited food menus that come with Uma Musume original novelties. In the 2024-2025 season, though initially planned for sale only on Mega Illumi operating days, sales were expanded to Oi Racecourse operating days from November 4 onward in response to fan requests.
Novelties include collaboration original design items, with limited quantities often selling out early. The food menus also pay careful attention to appearance, reflecting Uma Musume’s image colors and characteristics, with visual appeal that’s become a hot topic on SNS.
Collaboration Goods Expansion
Collaboration goods for Tokyo Mega Illumi × Uma Musume are also sold at the event venue. Various merchandise is lined up, including acrylic stands, clear files, and tin badges, popular as collector items.
The collaboration goods feature limited designs different from regular Uma Musume merchandise, themed around illuminations. The fantastical visuals using light as a motif show the special quality unique to this collaboration.
Talk Shows by Uma Musume Voice Actors
Talk Show Report from November 2023
On November 11, 2023, commemorating the start of the collaboration event, a talk show featuring Uma Musume cast members was held at Twinkle Stage inside Oi Racecourse. The venue was packed with numerous fans and the atmosphere was lively.
At the talk show, the voice actors introduced the collaboration content in detail and spoke about their feelings toward Oi Racecourse, the charm of Uma Musume, and their impressions of the illuminations. The sight of voice actors, normally only seen through screens, performing live talks on the actual racecourse stage became a precious experience for fans.
Talk Show Details from December 2024
A talk show featuring Uma Musume cast members was also held on December 8, 2024. This event featured six cast members including Tomohae Takayanagi, who passionately discussed their feelings about the third consecutive collaboration and the charm of Oi Racecourse.
At the talk show, the cast introduced their impressions of actually experiencing the illuminations, their favorite photo spots, and recommended collaboration menus. In the Q&A session with fans, precious stories that could only be heard here came up, such as cast members’ attachment to characters and recording episodes, with the venue filled with great cheers.
Uma Musume-Related Races Held at Oi Racecourse
List of Races at Oi Racecourse Appearing In-Game
In “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby,” multiple races held at Oi Racecourse are incorporated into breeding scenarios. The main races include the following:
Teiō Shō (JpnI)
The top-ranked dirt grade race at Oi Racecourse, held in June. In-game, it’s positioned as an important race and one of the key races many Uma Musume target.
Tokyo Daishō (GI)
The year-end grand tournament held in December, also called the local racing Grand Prix. In-game, it’s a race players can challenge as the culmination of breeding.
Haneda Shō (GIII)
A Grade III race limited to three-year-old horses. It serves as a gateway for young horses and an important target race during the early to mid-stages of breeding.
These races faithfully recreate races actually held at Oi Racecourse, allowing players to learn about the appeal of local racing while playing the game.
Actual Oi Racing and Uma Musume Lineage Connections
At the “44th Teiō Shō (JpnI)” held in June 2021, Tokyo City Racing specially introduced horses related to “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” among the participating horses. This exemplifies how actual racehorses’ bloodlines and histories are deeply connected to in-game Uma Musume characters.
In many cases, descendants and related horses of the famous horses that inspired Uma Musume are currently active at Oi Racecourse, making it an element enjoyable by both real racing fans and Uma Musume fans. Such initiatives play an important role in inheriting racing’s history and culture to the next generation.
Oi Racecourse Facility Information and Access
Basic Information about Oi Racecourse
Location
2-1-2 Katsushima, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo 140-0012
Operating Days
Oi Racing mainly operates as night racing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (operating dates vary by season). Tokyo Mega Illumi operates during limited periods from November through around January.
Admission Fee
Free admission on regular racing days. Admission is charged during Tokyo Mega Illumi operations (adults ¥800, elementary and junior high students ¥300, free for preschoolers, etc.; fees vary by year).
Access Methods
By Train
- Tokyo Monorail “Oi Racecourse Station” exit, 2 minutes walk (nearest station)
- Tokyo Monorail “Distribution Center Station” exit, 8 minutes walk
- Keikyu Main Line “Tateba-gawa Station” exit, 12 minutes walk
- Free shuttle bus from JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line “Oi-machi Station” (operating days only)
Tokyo Monorail’s Oi Racecourse Station, as the name suggests, is the nearest station to Oi Racecourse, connected to the racecourse by a covered passageway, allowing comfortable access even in rainy weather.
By Car
Approximately 5 minutes from “Suzugamori Exit” on the Metropolitan Expressway No. 1 Haneda Line. A free parking lot with capacity for approximately 2,000 cars is available on racing days. However, heavy congestion is expected on Mega Illumi operating days, so public transportation is recommended.
In-Venue Facilities and Recommended Spots
Oi Racecourse is a racecourse with vast grounds despite being within Tokyo’s 23 wards. The main stand is five stories tall, with restaurants and shops well-stocked on each floor.
Twinkle Stage
A special stage used during event hosting. Uma Musume-related talk shows are also held here.
Food Court
An area where you can enjoy racecourse cuisine. Limited menus are offered during collaboration events.
Paddock
An area where you can see racing horses up close. For Uma Musume fans, it becomes a precious opportunity to see actual racehorses.
Illumination Area
During Tokyo Mega Illumi operations, the horse track and various venue locations are adorned with fantastical illuminations. The area around the grand fountain is particularly popular as a photography spot.
Points for Uma Musume Fans to Enjoy Oi Racecourse
Tips for Sacred Location Pilgrimage
When Uma Musume fans visit Oi Racecourse, keeping the following points in mind makes for greater enjoyment:
Recreate Famous Scenes from Anime and Games
Since Oi Racecourse is an important setting in the work, visitors can recall anime and game scenes while touring the actual locations. Particularly the paddock and winner’s circle areas feature many memorable scenes from the work.
Target Collaboration Event Period
During Tokyo Mega Illumi collaboration periods, special productions, goods, and food unavailable at other times can be experienced. However, congestion is expected, so planning with ample time is recommended.
Also Experience Actual Horse Racing
For fans who became interested in racing through Uma Musume, experiencing actual race viewing is also recommended. Oi Racing features many night operations, making it easy to stop by after work.
Recommended Photography Spots
Collaboration Panel Installation Areas
Life-size character panels are set up during event periods. This is a precious opportunity to take commemorative photos with your favorite Uma Musume.
In Front of Illuminated Grand Fountain
The rainbow-glowing grand fountain is an unmissable Instagram-worthy photo spot. Particularly during fountain show times, fantastical photos can be captured.
Paddock
An area where you can photograph with actual racehorses in the background. A spot where you can feel the Uma Musume world very realistically.
Monorail Oi Racecourse Station
Taking photos with the station sign serves as proof of sacred location pilgrimage. The passageway from the station to the racecourse is also a spot where you can feel the work’s atmosphere.
Tips for Obtaining Collaboration Goods and Novelties
Since collaboration goods and novelty-included foods are limited quantity, note the following points if you want to secure purchase:
- Aim for right after opening: Popular items may sell out early
- Consider visiting on weekdays: Weekends and holidays are crowded, so weekdays allow for more leisurely shopping if possible
- Check sales locations in advance: Check official websites and SNS beforehand for sales locations
- Consider multiple visits: New products may be added during the period, so visiting multiple times is also recommended
Future Developments for Oi Racecourse and Uma Musume
Continuation and Development of Collaboration
The collaboration between Oi Racecourse and “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” has been implemented for three consecutive years starting in 2022 and can be said to be a highly successful project for both parties. Tokyo City Racing has shown an active stance in welcoming Uma Musume fans, and continued and developed collaboration events are expected in the future.
Particularly Tokyo Mega Illumi is a popular event ranked high in nationwide illumination rankings, and collaboration with Uma Musume further enhances its appeal. Fan response has been significant, with many visit reports and photos posted on SNS every year.
Coexistence of Local Racing and Content
“Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” shines light not only on central racing but also on local racing, disseminating the appeal of Japan’s entire racing culture. The collaboration at Oi Racecourse contributes to raising awareness of local racing, and has become an opportunity for Uma Musume fans to develop interest in actual local racing.
Such efforts can be said to be an ideal model case where content and the actual racing industry develop together. Various forms of further collaboration are anticipated in the future.
Formation of Fan Communities
Oi Racecourse has also become an important gathering place for Uma Musume fans. During collaboration events, many fans from across the country gather, creating opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts. Cosplay events have also been held in the past, with Oi Racecourse becoming a special place where fans can share their love for the work.
Such fan community formation also contributes to the long-term development of the content.
Conclusion: Oi Racecourse, a Must-Visit for Uma Musume Fans
Oi Racecourse is a precious sacred location where “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” fans can actually experience the work’s world. The Tokyo Mega Illumi collaboration event offers special experiences found nowhere else, including fantastical illuminations, limited goods, special food menus, and talk shows featuring voice actors.
Access is extremely convenient, just a 2-minute walk from Tokyo Monorail’s Oi Racecourse Station, making it easy to visit from the city center. On racing days, you can also observe actual races, allowing you to feel the Uma Musume world even more realistically.
The 2024-2025 season collaboration runs through January 12, 2025, and fans who haven’t yet visited are encouraged to make a trip during this opportunity. With the rainbow-glowing grand fountain, Uma Musume character announcements throughout the venue, and limited goods, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories.
Enjoy the Uma Musume world fully at Oi Racecourse!
