From “Uma Musume” to the Real Horses

“Uma Musume Pretty Derby” is a popular game by Cygames featuring anime-style girls based on real-life racehorses. Since the launch of its English-language Steam version in 2024, the game has exploded in popularity overseas. With over 30,000 concurrent players and a growing Twitch audience, the Uma Musume phenomenon has gone global.

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.

Anthropomorphized Uma Musume and model horse

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
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
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
Big Red Farm (Niikappu Town)
Known for Gold Ship. Availability varies; check in advance.
Official Site
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

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

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

Gravesites are often visited by fans who leave flowers and notes. There’s something deeply moving about standing where a legend once grazed.

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

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.
Confirm your visit in advance.
Hours and access rules vary. Never show up unannounced.
Follow staff instructions at all times.
Greet the staff, stay on the designated paths, and say thank you afterward.
Do not enter barns or fields uninvited.
Trespassing is not only rude—it’s illegal. Horses may be startled or injured.
Keep noise to a minimum.
Horses are sensitive. Loud voices, engines, or sudden noises can cause panic.
Do not touch the horses.
They may bite or kick if frightened. Stay behind barriers.
No smoking, no littering.
Hay is flammable. Always take your trash with you.
No flash photography or selfie sticks.
Sudden light or movement can spook horses. Avoid shiny or reflective clothing.
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.

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