New Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo | Let's enter the magic world!
Officially known as 'Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter', this new Potter-themed attraction is set to open in Tokyo on June 16, 2023.
What is it:
The Harry Potter studio tour amusement park will be only the second of its kind in the world, and the first Harry Potter experience in Tokyo.
The park will allow visitors to step into the magical set of Hogwarts and the wider wizarding world, with behind-the-scenes information available and the original film sets from the Fantastic Beasts movies on display.
The Tokyo Harry Potter park will actually be the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world, making it a must-visit for any fans of the London studio tour.
For those wanting exhilarating rides, you may prefer to visit Osaka's USJ, as this Tokyo Harry Potter park will be all about the visual experience.
Where is it:
The theme park is currently being built on the former site of the now defunct 94-year-old Toshima-en Amusement Park, at Toshima-en Station, a short train ride from Ikebukuro. The area itself boasts some impressive tree-lined streets with unusually large houses, and a rather pleasant walk along the nearby Shakuji River.
In celebration of the park, Seibu Railway will renovate the existing Toshima-en Station to resemble Hogsmeade Station, using the same red colour scheme, while platforms 1 and 2 at Ikebukuro will be made to look like King's Cross Station.
What attractions will be in the park?
The park will consist of a paid section and a free section open to anyone.
Inside the studio
The park will consist of a paid section and a free section open to anyone.
Iconic sets from the movies will be there to explore, along with costumes and props used in the making of the Harry Potter films. The sets on display in the Tokyo studio tour will be unique to Japan, not the same ones as seen in London.
Some of the sets you can explore are:
Platform 9 3/4
You can step onto the platform and board the Hogwarts Express, which was transported to Tokyo from the UK! They will have green screen technology to make it feel like you are actually travelling on the train.
Quidditch
Using the same green screen technology, you'll be able to feel like you are in the crowd watching a quidditch game. I wonder how people scared of heights will go.
Diagon Alley
You can see all the shopfronts, though it doesn't look like you can enter inside. Did you know this same set was used for Hogsmeade, they just added snow!
The Great Hall
Inspired by a 16th century hall in Oxford, England, you can step into the great hall and admire the statues of the badger, lion, raven and snake which represent each Hogwarts house, along with the points hourglasses.
The Forbidden Forest
Here, the first Care of Magical Creatures class scenes will be on display. You'll also be able to cast a patronus, battle dementors and meet Aragog.
Props & Costumes
Inside the studio you can see a variety of different wands used in the film, and buy your own in the gift shop. You can see which character had which wand, and learn about how they were made.
Many other props used in the films like Dumbledore's pensieve and the Knight Bus will be located around the studio, along with the costumes of characters from the Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
Cafes
Of course, no trip to Harry Potter world is complete without trying the famous Butterbeer. There will be British-inspired food on offer, along with several sweet treats. Chocolate frog anyone?
Interactive elements
You'll be able to ride on a moving staircase, much like Harry and Ron while getting lost in their first year at Hogwarts. You'll also be able to see your reflection in magical portraits.
The gift shop
The gift shop will be the largest Harry Potter shop in the world and will have some goods unique to the Tokyo location.
Outside the studio
The amusement park's site covers over 30,000 square metres, and much of this will be greenery. In the grounds surrounding the indoor studio, you will be able to find sculptures of magical creatures and Harry Potter characters, along with various plants and flowers (hopefully no Devil's Snare!)
To buy tickets:
Tickets cost 6,300 yen for adults, 5,200 yen for junior high and high school students and 3,800 yen for kids aged 4+. Reservations are required!
Buy tickets at the official website https://www.wbstudiotour.jp/en/
*Tickets are currently sold for dates up to September 30, 2023 only
This all looks even more exciting than the Quidditch World Cup in book 4, we can't wait! We went to the site to scope it out, but so far fences still surround the studio so there isn't much to be seen.