Can I recreate this A Certain Magical Index shot right outside Tachikawa Station North Exit?

Yes, the north-exit plaza is publicly accessible and easy to reach from JR Tachikawa Station. Expect heavier foot traffic during commuting hours, so mid-morning is better for cleaner photos.

Has the Tachikawa North Exit area changed a lot since the anime aired?

The overall plaza layout and building massing are still recognizable, but storefront signs, advertisements, and some street furniture have changed over time. Street View is very useful for matching the angle before you go.

Are there any photography restrictions at Tachikawa North Exit?

Casual photography in the outdoor public plaza is generally fine, but avoid blocking pedestrian flow or photographing people closely without permission. Inside station facilities, follow JR East rules and staff instructions if using larger equipment.

Local Weather

7-Day Forecast

Show Local Weather

a certain magical index tachikawa north exit

A Certain Magical Index

Tokyo

Episode

Ep. 1

Time

20m 7s

Google Map

35.6986, 139.4131

a certain magical index tachikawa north exit

Nearest Station: Tachikawa Station (JR Chuo Line, Ome Line, Nambu Line), North Exit
Walk: 1 minute on foot
Best time to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon on a clear day for open plaza lighting similar to the anime
Crowd level: Can be crowded

Kamijou Touma and Index move through the busy Tachikawa North Exit area in an early episode scene that blends ordinary city life with the start of their chaotic adventure.
This moment appears near the beginning of the story, after Touma and Index have been pulled into each other’s lives and his ordinary routine has started to collapse into chaos driven by magic and constant trouble. The station’s north-exit setting carries the lively urban atmosphere typical of the Academy City area, highlighting Touma’s exasperation as he deals with one sudden problem after another while being dragged along by Index. The mood sits between everyday comedy and the start of a larger supernatural adventure, and although the characters are still getting used to each other, the scene already hints that their fates are about to become deeply intertwined. In real life, this corresponds to the area around Tachikawa Station North Exit, and the anime captures the broad station plaza, pedestrian flow, and commercial big-city atmosphere with impressive fidelity. The real location still shows the recognizable scale of the buildings and open space, while the anime simplifies some background details and changes or omits storefront signage to avoid using real trademarks directly. Even so, the road layout, plaza proportions, and surrounding silhouettes remain highly identifiable, making it a strong pilgrimage spot where fans can compare the frame with both the current streetscape and Google Street View fairly easily.

Can I recreate this A Certain Magical Index shot right outside Tachikawa Station North Exit?: Yes, the north-exit plaza is publicly accessible and easy to reach from JR Tachikawa Station. Expect heavier foot traffic during commuting hours, so mid-morning is better for cleaner photos.
Has the Tachikawa North Exit area changed a lot since the anime aired?: The overall plaza layout and building massing are still recognizable, but storefront signs, advertisements, and some street furniture have changed over time. Street View is very useful for matching the angle before you go.
Are there any photography restrictions at Tachikawa North Exit?: Casual photography in the outdoor public plaza is generally fine, but avoid blocking pedestrian flow or photographing people closely without permission. Inside station facilities, follow JR East rules and staff instructions if using larger equipment.