Mitakihara Town (見滝原町, Mitakihara-chō) is a provincial city where the story takes place. It was not until recently that development began in the town. Much modern architecture has been constructed since.
Also Mitakihara City (見滝原市, Mitakihara-shi) is mentioned in the story. Mitakihara Town may be one of districts in Mitakihara City. (Many cities in Japan have a district of same name within itself.)
Pictures of the Town
Ground-level view of the city at sunset.
Buildings seen from rooftop at Madoka's school.
Mitakihara seems to have a port like to Port of Yokohama.
Comparison between the factory district skyline in Mitakihara and the factory district shown in Bakemonogatari, a previous work by Akiyuki Shinbo.
Aerial photography of the city.
The hospital that Kamijou is treated at.
The city skyline at night.
Architecture in the Anime versus Real-Life Architecture
Episode 1
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Burj Khalifa
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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A similar-looking building appears in the OP for most episodes.
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Opening sequence
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The skyline
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Dubai
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A shot of Mitakihara's skyline, when the school bell rings.
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9:08
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Shanghai World Financial Center (100th floor)
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Shanghai, China
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The hallway in Madoka's school is very similar to the observation deck on the 100th floor of this building.
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13:07
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Weltstadthaus
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Cologne, Germany.
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The shopping mall Madoka and Sayaka go to after school
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14:51
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Helix Bridge
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Singapore
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The bridge in/nearby the shopping mall
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14:53
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Eiffel Tower
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Paris, France
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This is a part of Gertrud's Labyrinth apparition sequence. Note that several other buildings have a similar design, such as the Tokyo Tower
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19:30
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Episode 2
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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UOB Plaza
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Singapore
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One of the buildings featured in a background of episode 2.
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16:03
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Yokohama port area seen from Yokohama Landmark Tower
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Naka-ku, Yokohama
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Appears as Mitakihara in Episode 2 (upper) and 9 (lower).
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16:32
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Episode 4
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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The downside of Tachikawa-Kita Station of Tama Monorail and Tachikawa Takashimaya
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Tachikawa, Tokyo
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Just before Madoka runs into Hitomi during the night, there are several shots of places, including this one.
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15:11
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Episode 5
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Iwabuchi Sluice Gate
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Arakawa‐Sumida Rivers junction in Kita, Tokyo
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Empire State Building
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Manhattan, New York
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Several shots of what is thought to be the Empire States Building without its spire. Appears when Kyouko is spying on Sayaka with her magically-enhanced goggles.
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9:53
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Taipei 101
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Taipei, Taiwan
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This is a zoom of a part of the background just before Sayaka goes to her first witch hunt.
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16:18
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Episode 6
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Commerzbank Tower
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Frankfurt, Germany
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A shot of the city, just before we see Kyouko playing DDR, probably implying that the arcade hall is supposed to be nearby that area.
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6:18
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Episode 7
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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The Gunma Prefectual Government Building (tallest), Gunma Prefectual Police HQ (left) and Maebashikoen Park (nearside)
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Maebashi, Japan
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The screenshot is from the sequence when Kyouko brings Sayaka to her dad's church, probably implying that this area is on the way there.
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7:01
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The full photo for better comparison. Courtesy of 2ch anon, who went outside to take that perfect picture.
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The full screenshot for comparison.
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Episode 8
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Burj Al Arab
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Dubai, UAE
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This is a zoom from the frame shown during credits. Anime image is flipped, and the reference in general is controversed.
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2:58
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A typical bus stop
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Curitiba, Brazil
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3:08
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower
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Shinjuku, Tokyo
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Appears in a shot of the city just before Hitomi confesses to Kamijou
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8:16
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Matsugaya Station of Tama Monorail
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Hachioji, Tokyo
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This is one frame from a series of shots of Sayaka's neighborhood. The other shots may reference "something" too, but no source has been found so far.
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8:50
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Episode 10
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Arc de Triomphe
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Paris, France
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Isadel's barrier has various references to Paris monuments, amongst which is possibly a distorted version of the Arc de Triomphe.
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4:14
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Episode 12
External links