Can I easily recreate this A Certain Magical Index shot near the Tachikawa north exit police box?

Yes, the street layout is still recognizable, but expect more signs, pedestrians, and vehicles than in the anime. Try standing off to the side of the walkway so you do not block police box access.

Is photography allowed around the Tachikawa Station North Exit koban?

Casual outdoor photography from public space is generally fine, but avoid photographing police staff, the interior, or anyone seeking assistance. If officers ask you to move, follow their guidance immediately.

What is the best route for anime fans visiting this spot from central Tokyo?

The simplest route is the JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa Station, then leave from the North Exit and walk a few minutes. The area has plenty of cafes and shops, so it is easy to combine with a short pilgrimage stop.

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a certain magical index tachikawa station north exit koban police box

A Certain Magical Index

Tokyo

Episode

Ep. 20

Time

22m 12s

Google Map

35.6986, 139.4139

a certain magical index tachikawa station north exit koban police box

Nearest Station: JR Tachikawa Station (Chuo Line, Ome Line, Nambu Line), North Exit
Walk: 3 minutes on foot
Best time to visit: Late morning or early afternoon on a clear day for easy scene matching
Crowd level: Can be crowded

Mikoto Misaka stands on a street beside the Tachikawa Station north-side police box area, scanning her surroundings with a guarded expression.
This moment appears during a part of the story filled with investigation and caution, as Mikoto Misaka stands alone on the street with a clearly guarded and thoughtful expression. Before and after this scene, she is in the middle of tracking down the truth and staying highly alert to changes around her, so even though the shot is only a brief pause on the street, it clearly conveys both her unease and her determination. Just before this, she is still organizing clues and deciding her next move, and after it she continues pushing closer to the heart of the incident, raising the tension even further. The real location is beside the Tachikawa Station North Exit police box, and the anime reproduces the street layout, road width, and corner alignment with impressive accuracy, showing that the production closely referenced the urban scenery around Tachikawa Station’s north side. The easiest landmark to recognize in real life is the police box and the surrounding road arrangement, with an overall sense of space that matches the anime very well. That said, the anime simplifies signboards, storefront details, and roadside fixtures to make the character stand out more, while the real site has denser modern commercial signage, traffic markings, and pedestrian flow. Even if nearby shops and signs have changed over time, the street structure and corner view remain recognizable enough that fans can still confidently match it to the scene.

Can I easily recreate this A Certain Magical Index shot near the Tachikawa north exit police box?: Yes, the street layout is still recognizable, but expect more signs, pedestrians, and vehicles than in the anime. Try standing off to the side of the walkway so you do not block police box access.
Is photography allowed around the Tachikawa Station North Exit koban?: Casual outdoor photography from public space is generally fine, but avoid photographing police staff, the interior, or anyone seeking assistance. If officers ask you to move, follow their guidance immediately.
What is the best route for anime fans visiting this spot from central Tokyo?: The simplest route is the JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa Station, then leave from the North Exit and walk a few minutes. The area has plenty of cafes and shops, so it is easy to combine with a short pilgrimage stop.