Growing up, I've always loved Harry Potter - the movies and the books. I even dreamt of being a witch, my father would always mispronounce my name as witch making me want to be one too. I've always dreamt of adventures like the main characters of the HP films: Will my adventure come true one day?
Well, close... as I am now in front of Warner Bros. Studios Japan: The Making Of Harry Potter.
When we heard this new Harry Potter theme park was opening in Tokyo, my friends and I immediately booked tickets. It's a bit on the expensive side - around 6300 yen (43 USD) (at that time, now I’m not sure) but we didn't care, as long as we'll be enjoying the day seeing the Harry Potter film come to life. We’re so thrilled to see what’s inside!
It was funny that my friends and I didn't have the same scheduled time but still, we met inside and went together.
Our first stop and where we met was in the souvenir shop inside the premises but outside the tour area. At that time (I made this draft post long time ago LOL), they would check your tickets to get into the premises, so if you don’t have a ticket, you can’t get in - that means no access even to their souvenir shop and the restaurant.
Going inside the tour is done by batches and we're lucky to be in front. My friends and I were so competitive and wanted to be the first to go in. Before finally going inside, there was an introduction being played on the frames above us. We didn't get the chance to see Harry, Hermione and Ron but we managed to see the Japanese voice actor of Harry in the videos. He's also somewhere else in this tour.
There was a big door that would led us inside, and they called for the birthday celebrants to open it. My friends wanted to lie and say it's their birthday so they would get the chance to open the door but in the end, we were honest. We gave the chance to others, though one friend's birthday was coming up.
 |  |
|---|
Opening the door led us to the dining hall that you see in the film. There was a very long table on the sides and the professors on the further back. They weren't real though, just replicas of them, with their outfits and all. Do they look real? Staying in this hall is only limited as the next batch of the tour will come in after us.
 |  |
|---|
We were so amazed seeing how intricate the details of the props in the movie. We got to learn them all and it was really information overload. Up til now, I’m still amazed of the architecture and props they’ve used in the films.
We were led to an interactive area where you could have your video taken and be shown in one of the frames hanging on the walls like how those frames talk and move when the students use the stairs. The stairs moved too! It was so cool! No one can get into the stairs though.
We were then taken into the rooms of the houses. Every house had a different style of their dorm, including their common room.
I’ve never imagined myself watching and even cheering for a quidditch game! And that was what we did here inside. There’s a game of quidditch and we’re the audience. They filmed us and after, our portion in the film was shown in the TV. We’ve just become actors! 😅
 |  |  |
|---|
 |  |  |  |
|---|
I think that ended the interactive zone. Next was a bunch of magical items from the film, including the pensieve where memories were stored and the cauldron from the potions class.
These wizards from other schools were also here! Their wardrobe is just as grand as Hogwarts!
Join me in the library too! I’ve never opened a book but I think they’re just empty pages. Or maybe not books at all?
The forest where Hagrid and the creatures lived were also shown here. It was like a real one because of how it felt. I even casted a spell on a dementor here. (I thought the interactive zone had ended but there’s another here)
In the middle of the tour, we got hungry and ate at Backlot Cafe. Once we’re stuffed, we’re back to enjoying the rest of the tour.
We found the wooden hallway being lit up from the outside so we wouldn’t miss exploring it. It led us to a big chess board where the pieces were bigger than people.
 |  |
|---|
We welcomed ourselves in Harry’s home in the muggle world. There were several letters scattered on the living room, just like how it was shown in the film. The kitchen was so messy and the leftover food looked so real. The car was also waiting outside.
This Knight bus was so huge I can’t imagine how to get to the highest floor!
It’s time to board the Hogwarts Express! Where’s the platform again?
Ah, yes it’s in 9 3/4! Of course, I shouldn’t forget all my luggages! 😂
 |  |
|---|
I found my classmates inside this train. They each have their own cabin.
 |  |  |
|---|
We continued reading more details of how everything was filmed. A big head of Hagrid was even here - not the scary kind though.
 |  |
|---|
The alleys and the elevators you see in the film were also here. Time to shop? Nah, they’re not the real shops!
Last few items on display were the many frames on the wall adding life to the movie and the marauder’s map. Just look at how detailed the map is!
Lastly we’ve seen a replica of the entire Hogwarts. It was full of details and so grand! I wonder if they used this size while filming. In the film it looked so real and full of life!
Recalling this tour was so nostalgic even it was just 2 years ago. We got to have fun while also learning a lot about the movie. Indeed, making these would really require a big funding. So to the people behind the Harry Potter films, a big salute to you all!
If you’d ask me if I would go back again, I will! We spent around 4 hours appreciating and taking in everything we have read and seen, but I think we were pressed on time. If ever I’ll be back, I’ll definitely spend more time and buy souvenirs too!
My friends and I did this tour on September 2023, and this post was just sitting in my drafts for a long time. At that time, it was just newly opened so maybe now, they added more stuff and probably the price increased or decreased. Please check it in their official website.
Thanks for reading!
See you around! じゃあ、またね！
With love,
All photos are taken using my phone unless stated otherwise.