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Our WeXpats Thai member visited the new Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo recently. A new style of theme park, Warner Bros. gives Harry Potter fans a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Let’s see the review and the photos she took!
Note: Translated from the original Thai article here.
Table of Contents
- Experience the World of Magic Yourself
- Entrance Fee & Packages
- Review and Tips for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Experience The World of Magic Yourself
If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will want to experience the behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter movies. Until recently, the only way to do so is to go to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London in England, but on June 16, 2023, Warner Bros. opened a second studio tour in Tokyo!
In addition to being able to experience behind-the-scenes of filming, visitors can also participate in scenes that appeared in the movie. Let’s see what’s so interesting about Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.
Starting Point
The journey to the Harry Potter world starts at Ikebukuro Station. There are numerous lines that connect to Ikebukuro Station, so be careful not to sit on the wrong one. The one that will bring you to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line. If you get lost, head towards the Seibu Department Store and the station is next to it. The Seibu-Ikebukuro Line platform is decorated with a Harry Potter theme, building up excitement! Also great for taking pictures.
Take the train heading to Toshimaen, which is the station at the end of the line.The journey is around 20 minutes. When you arrive at Toshimaen Station, you can hear the Harry Potter theme song being played. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is about 6 minutes walk from the station. As you step out of the station, you will see a blue and silver deer and many Harry Potter flags.
[Reference] The Seibu-Ikebukuro route is ideal if you want to take photos, but depending on where you come from a more convenient option may be the Toei Subway Oedo Line - Toshimaen Station. It takes 2 minutes to walk to the Seibu Toshimaen Station.
Entrance to Warner Bros. Studio Tokyo
The garden in front of the building also has many Harry Potter-themed decorations.
Ticket confirmation and security scans at the entrance.
There is a waiting area, a shop selling goods, and a restaurant before entering the Studio Tour.
When entering the first part, you will find large Harry Potter posters used as decoration.
A short VTR video will be played when the doors open. Photography of the video is not permitted. Beyond the doors is the Studio Tour and the Great Hall.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Great Hall is where the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry gather. There are many small props that you can hold and take pictures with.
Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagoll, Professor Snape, and the Sorting Hat to welcome you.
Hogwarts Dormitory
Next, we’ll go deeper into Hogwarts with the staircase that leads to the dormitories. We were asked to scan a code and register in order to participate in activities here. The first activity was a photo shoot. There is a booth to take animated photos, and the photos will appear on a picture frame in the wall, just like the moving photo frames in Harry Potter!
The picture taken will be displayed in a frame. Hurry to find the frame, you need to find it yourselves, because when someone else’s photo is taken, yours will disappear.
Next, visit the Hogwarts’ dormitories. The four Hogwarts Houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.
Quidditch Match
Next activity is taking part in a Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Pick a side. Participate in the filming under the direction of the director. The explanation is in Japanese, but don’t worry if you cannot understand it because the director will demonstrate what you need to do.
Hogwarts School
We wandered through Hogwarts School and discovered various props! The pensieve in Dumbledore’s office for looking at past memories!
Take a look at Dumbledore’s private room set that is not available at the London Studio Tour!
Professor Dumbledore’s office with a moving phoenix.
Whose wand is this? After looking around various sets and props excitedly, we came across this wand board that tells which wand belongs to whom.
The potions classroom was also very well done. There was a cauldron with a stirring stick, and many other cool props.
Classroom scene, where there is an activity to practice casting spells together.
The library.
The Dark Lord! He who must not be named! And Nagini!
The Forbidden Forest
Beyond the walls of Hogwarts lies the Forbidden Forest.
The Forbidden Forest is home to magical creatures. Test your magical skills by casting defensive spells and battle dementors.
Outdoor Area
Go outside and you will find:
Hagrid’s Hut
BACKLOT CAFE
Food and butterbeer for sale.
Cold and refreshing butterbeer.
The Knight Bus
The Hogwarts Bridge
Number 4 Privet Drive
The Dursleys’ house where Harry lived as a child. The interior scene is when Harry was so angry with Aunt Marge for taunting his parents that he lost control of his magic making her swell up like a balloon.
Platform 9 ¾
Back indoors again, Platform 9 ¾ awaits.
The Hogwarts Express is parked here. You can see the interior.
There is also a gift shop.
Ministry of Magic
Move on to the Ministry of Magic.
Here, there is an activity. Film yourself using the Floo Network (wizarding transportation using Floo powder and a fireplace) to be transported into the Ministry.
Special Effects, Editing, Character Creation
In the next part, we visit magical characters such as Goblins, Dobby (House Elf), Mandrakes, The Monster Book of Monsters, etc.
Move further along and there will be a flying broomstick activity. Watch Harry’s first flying lesson, and get a glimpse of the complex visual effects used in the Quidditch World Cup. Experience flying a broomstick with green screen technology - additional charges apply and photography is prohibited.
Photo Source : Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Diagon Alley
Enter Diagon Alley, a shopping street hidden behind the Leaky Cauldron. It is a place where witches and wizards come to shop, and where Hogwarts students go to buy school supplies - wands, brooms, cauldrons, pets, etc.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank that is not available at the London Studio Tour is a highlight of the Tokyo Studio.
Hogwarts Castle Model
Lighting changes in the day and night.
Daytime
Nighttime
Studio Tour Shop
Wands, wands, wands!
You can design your own personal wand. Ask the staff for more details.
The world’s largest Studio Tour Shop offers a wide range of Wizarding World products, including Warner Bros. limited edition merchandise. A Studio Tour Tokyo ticket is required to enter the store.
Writer's Pick
Entrance Fee & Packages
Image Source : Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
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Adult Tickets (age 18 and over) 6,300 yen, package price 9,600 yen
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Junior Tickets (age 12 to 17) 5,200 yen, package price 8,600 yen
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Child Tickets (age 4 to 11) 3,800 yen, package price 7,300 yen
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Free admission for children under 4 years old
※ The package includes an admission ticket, a digital guide, and a souvenir guidebook.
Opening hours vary by date, so we recommend checking here before booking tickets.
Tickets are available at the official website : Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Advance ticket reservations are required. Reserved tickets cannot be changed or refunded, so plan your dates carefully.
Review and Tips for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
I thought we could complete the entire studio tour in 2~3 hours, but unexpectedly, the first part itself already took 2 hours! I wanted to sit back and relax while enjoying butterbeer and restaurants, but even though we were hungry, we didn’t have time to sit down and chill because the staff announced that they were closing at 8:30 pm. We were only halfway through, and there were lots of interesting things left to see, so we hurried up. Quickly, we bought butter beer but did not have time to have the other foods which was disappointing.
The latter part of our trip was quite rushed because of the lack of time. We took photos hurriedly and did not have time to visit the shop at Platform ¾. There was no time to watch the Broomstick Flying because the queue was very long. When we finished and reached the Studio Tour Shop, it was almost 8:00 pm so I could only look at things briefly. More than anything, I was hungry…!
Based on my experience, here are some tips for those planning to visit:
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Studio Tour Tokyo is bigger than you think so wear comfortable shoes for walking.
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Some experiences require additional fees, such as the Broomstick Flying (2,500 yen), and food and drinks inside are separately charged. Bring a credit card or cash with you.
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If you want to see and experience everything, allocate 4+ hours or half a day at least.
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There are toilet facilities in the studio but it’s better to go before the tour starts so you don’t need to look for the bathroom all the time.
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Have a portable battery charger ready. Battery runs out fast if you take lots of photos and videos.
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Opening hours vary from day to day. Be sure to check before booking tickets. (Check here.)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter offers a lot of behind-the-scenes experiences.
Visit iconic locations from the Harry Potter movies, such as the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Platform 9 ¾ and the Hogwarts Express, and the Forbidden Forest. See the actual costumes worn by the actors and come face to face with magical creatures.
Stop for a butterbeer, the favourite drink of witches and wizards. Dine in a restaurant and partake in movie-inspired dishes and magical desserts. There are also many gifts and souvenirs to choose from in the world’s largest Studio Tour store, including limited edition ones.
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