Real Uma Musume Horses You Can Visit in Japan

Updated August 2025 — With kind permission from reader Andre Z., we’ve updated this guide to reflect the latest locations of several Uma Musume horses, along with on-site visiting tips and photos. We’re deeply grateful for this generous contribution to help fellow fans plan their trips.

Yes, you can actually meet them.

Uma Musume Pretty Derby isn’t just a game. It’s a gateway to real places, real racehorses, and unforgettable fan experiences in Japan.

Since the 2024 launch of the English version on Steam, Uma Musume has gained a global audience — many of whom are now traveling to Japan to meet the very horses that inspired their favorite characters.

This guide introduces the real-life Uma Musume horses you can still visit today — where they live, how to meet them respectfully, and why it’s one of the most emotional “side quests” you’ll ever take.

Why It Feels So Real

Each character in Uma Musume has a real-life horse counterpart, and many of their personalities and story arcs are inspired by the horses’ actual careers and quirks. This close connection between fiction and reality makes the game especially appealing for fans who enjoy both anime and equestrian history.

Increasingly, fans around the world are making pilgrimages to the actual farms where these retired champions now live. Reddit threads are filled with posts like “I met ○○ at this farm!” — visiting these horses has become something of a sacred quest for die-hard fans.

Want to dive deeper into Japan’s “gijinka” culture?
👉 Read our guide to Japan’s personification culture

Horses You Can Still Visit (By Region)

Across Japan, several farms are home to real-life Uma Musume horses who are still alive and well. This guide highlights those you can visit, especially in Hokkaido and the Kanto region. Hokkaido is further divided into sub-regions for easy planning.

Iburi Region – Near New Chitose Airport

• Shadai Stallion Station (Abira Town)
  Home to Kitakami Black and Satono Diamond. Not open to the public, but their official website offers detailed info. Official Site
  Update (Aug 2025, via Andre Z.): Satono Diamond has moved to Breeders Stallion Station, where Cheval Grand also resides. This active breeder farm is open to the public from 3–4 PM, no reservation required.

Satono Diamond at Breeders Stallion Station, now sharing the same farm with Cheval Grand. (Photo: Andre Z.)

• Shadai Farm (Chitose City)
  Former home to Daiwa Scarlet and Curren Chan. Tours are highly restricted.
  Official Site
• Northern Horse Park (Tomakomai City)
  A family-friendly equine theme park with retired horses on display and hands-on experiences.
  Official Site

Hidaka & Urakawa – The Heart of Japan’s Thoroughbred Scene

• Versailles Resort Farm (Hidaka Town)
  Tanino Gimlet and Wonder Acute live here. No reservations needed, open to visitors.
  Official Site
  Update (Aug 2025, via Andre Z.): You can now book a meet-and-greet session here (¥5,500) with a particular horse, such as Tanino Gimlet. The farm also sells a collaboration pin of Tanino Gimlet.
  
• Meiwa Bokujo (Niikappu Town)
  Home of Grass Wonder. Visits must be arranged through the Furusato Guide.
  No official website, just an information site
  
• Lake Villa Farm (Toyako Town)
  Final home of Mejiro Dober. Open for visits on certain days for grave offerings.
  Official Site
  
• Urakawa Yushun Village AERU (Urakawa Town)
  Retirement home of Winning Ticket. Also a lodging facility.
  Official Site
  Update (Aug 2025, via Andre Z.): Nakayama Festa has been moved here from Arrow Stud. The hotel now sells official collaboration pins of both Winning Ticket and Nakayama Festa.

nside Urakawa Yushun Village AERU — home to Winning Ticket and Nakayama Festa. The hotel shop sells official collaboration pins of both horses. (Photo: Andre Z.)

• Big Red Farm (Niikappu Town)
  Known for Gold Ship. Availability varies; check in advance.
  Official Site
  Update (Aug 2025, via Andre Z.): Photography is allowed, but the farm does not permit uploading photos to social media or media platforms.
  
• Lex Stud (Shinhidaka Town)
  Hosts Eishin Flash and Smart Falcon. Visit rules change seasonally.
  Official Site
  
• Arrow Stud (Shinhidaka Town)
  Home of Nakayama Festa and Wonder Acute. Some periods are closed to visitors.
  Official Site
  Update (Aug 2025, via Andre Z.): Nakayama Festa is no longer here; see the AERU entry above.

Kanto Region – More Accessible From Tokyo

• Martha Farm (Onjuku, Chiba)
  Retired home of Haru Urara. Generally closed to the public, but limited access may be announced via social media.
  Official Site

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Legendary Horses & Where They Rest

Many iconic racehorses have passed on, but they remain cherished figures in the Uma Musume fandom. Visiting the places where they lived or are buried offers a different kind of connection.

• Nice Nature (Watanabe Farm)
• Taiki Shuttle (Northern Lake Farm)
• Mejiro Ardan, and others

Update (Aug 2025, via Andre Z.): Sadly, Winning Ticket has passed away. See the AERU section above for more on the memorial items available.

How to Visit: Etiquette & Rules

Horse farms aren’t zoos — they’re working facilities where animals are bred, raised, or retired. With the growing number of Uma Musume fans, it’s more important than ever to follow proper etiquette.

Note: These are working farms, not tourist attractions. Always check with the JBBA’s Furusato Guide before planning your visit.

The 9 Golden Rules of Farm Visits

1. Do not contact the farm directly.
   Use the Furusato Guide or local tourist offices. Calling the farm disrupts their daily work.*Some farms allow you to apply through their official website, but they are kind enough to accommodate horse racing fans.
2. Confirm your visit in advance.
   Hours and access rules vary. Never show up unannounced.
3. Follow staff instructions at all times.
   Greet the staff, stay on the designated paths, and say thank you afterward.
4. Do not enter barns or fields uninvited.
   Trespassing is not only rude—it’s illegal. Horses may be startled or injured.
5. Keep noise to a minimum.
   Horses are sensitive. Loud voices, engines, or sudden noises can cause panic.
6. Do not touch the horses.
   They may bite or kick if frightened. Stay behind barriers.
7. No smoking, no littering.
   Hay is flammable. Always take your trash with you.
8. No flash photography or selfie sticks.
   Sudden light or movement can spook horses. Avoid shiny or reflective clothing.
9. Never feed the horses.
   External food risks disease. Respect the farm’s strict hygiene controls.

These rules exist to protect the animals, the staff, and the experiences of future visitors. Don’t be the fan who ruins it for everyone else.

Uma Musume: A Rare Case of 2D Meets Real Life

Unlike most “gijinka” franchises, Uma Musume doesn’t just draw inspiration from history — it reflects it. Personalities, quirks, and even rivalries are often pulled straight from the real-life horses’ careers.

But what makes this title truly special is that many of those real horses are still alive. You can meet them.

Seeing them in person — their posture, their eyes, their mood — adds an irreplaceable depth to your fan experience. It’s the difference between reading a story and living it.

So whether you’re a long-time trainer or a curious newcomer, consider adding a real-world visit to your Uma Musume journey. It’s not just a side quest. It’s part of the lore.

🐴 Want to know what Gold Ship was really like?
Check out our Gold Ship Case Files

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