Aside from getting proposed to, this is one of the highlights of this trip!
I remember when we had finalized our plane tickets and hotel, the next thing that immediately came to mind was that I NEEDED to score tickets to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter wow that's a mouthful in Tokyo! I immediately checked out Klook to reserve a ticket on one of the days we will be in Tokyo. Lo and behold, all AUGUST 2023 dates were fully booked! Mind you, this was in June 2023, 2 months before our actual trip!
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| Iyak malala! |
But then, I remember, Corazon did not raise a quitter for a daughter! For sure, Klook isn't the only platform that sells tickets, right? So, I checked other similar platforms like Klook, unfortunately, I was faced with the same fate, no more available tickets for the dates that we will be in Japan! But before I could continue my ugly crying in the corner, I decided to go to the main source, which is the official website, and see if they still have open slots for August. Luckily, they still have it for the week that we will be visiting, BUT it's so limited! I quickly signed up on the site, whipped out my credit card, and prayed hard that this boldness of mine would be favored by the Gods.
Oh, I forgot to mention: the website is in Japanese and without any English translations!
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| Just imagine if I accidentally booked August 19... 2024 hahaha! |
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| Arigathanks! |
I was definitely favored by the Gods! The payment pushed through, and I was able to secure the tickets! Now, I can breathe hahaha!
Fast forward to the actual trip!
Getting there was relatively easy. I remember we took a train from Shinjuku station going to Nerima, where the Harry Potter studio is located. Once you arrive to the nearest train station, you'll spot A LOT of lamp post ads and other out-of-home (OOH) wow as a marketer tayo dyan haha! collaterals scattered all around to assure you that The Harry Potter studio is nearby and that you INDEED got off the right train station. After about 300m, you'll see a HUGE billboard of the golden trio from the Chamber of Secrets era, and from there you just follow the path.
Before entering, you'll need to secure your e-ticket with the QR code to be able to scan your way to one of the turnstiles- Yes, no need to bring a paper copy of your ticket. Once inside, you'll see this HUGE Hungarian Horntail, and a place where you can store your valuables. From what I remember, you're not allowed to bring big bags hence they encourage those who brought backpacks to store it in the lockers. Also, upon entering they'll offer you an earpiece guide (like those in certain museums) for a fee. Unfortunately, during our trip all English guides were already depleted 😓
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| No Turkey leg tho :( |
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| The lounge area where you can wait for your entry time OR rest your feet after the tour. |
An important tidbit: The tickets are timed, which means you can't just enter the tour area whenever you like. When we visited, our entry time is scheduled at 4:00 p.m., so despite arriving at 2:30 p.m. we'll have to wait until our time to be allowed inside.
Good thing we have enough time to wait, because we used that to grab a late lunch in their restaurant. The restaurant offers a variety of meals, from Italian like spaghetti to British Fish and Chips. We ordered the pasta and some ribs; it was good but kind of expensive-something to take note if you are planning to have a meal here.
The first thing you'll see is this hall showing all the Harry Potter posters. There are also posters from different countries like China and South Korea. It really feels nostalgic seeing them again after years of not seeing any Harry Potter poster in the cinemas 😥
I'm not going to spoil a magical part of this tour, but to give a little snippet, the transition going to the great hall was magical! Once in the great hall, you'll see a lot of costumes of beloved characters and props used during filming.
Aside from the whole tour being an amazing backdrop for cosplaying as a Hogwarts student, there were a lot of interactive activities to try! For example, In the potions classroom you can take a video as if you're stirring a cauldron by using your wand to manipulate the spoon or sandok? My favorite activities were taking a video as if we were in a moving picture, and the other one was being part of the audience from the iconic Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Quidditch match!
We capped it off with some drinks and treats from the Frog Cafe (which was quite pricey, but meh, YOLO! HAHAHA!).
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| In my breakthrough role hahaha! |
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| New career! HAHAHA! |
Another cool area of the studio tour was the backlot which has the #4 Privet Drive, Hagrid's hut, and the Knight Bus! It's cool that you are allowed to go inside the Dursley's home and see that tiny room below the stairs where Harry grew up in.
Also, the backlot also serves as a rest area where you can buy snacks or enjoy a glass of Butterbeer ☝ Is it the same taste as the one sold in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Yes! But the glass they come in (which you can also bring home) is different vs. the ones from the Wizarding World- If my memory serves me right, I think the ones here sold in the Studio Tour is cheaper vs. in Universal Studios.
The finale was the huge Hogwarts diorama that you have 360-degree access of. I remember Ken even tearing up when he saw this hehe! I promise, this part is so majestic!
A couple of steps from the diorama is the HUUUUUUGE shop where you can buy a ton of Harry Potter merch! Is it the same merch as sold in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios? Actually, no. It's different, and they even have MinaLima products like stationeries, books, postcards, and posters! They also have Tokyo exclusive merch like tote bags and hoodies!
Like I have said earlier, this is a highlight from this trip! I have been a fan since I was 8 years old, and to be given a chance to see this and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are things I have only dreamed of! Truly thankful, indeed!
Here's wishing and ✨manifesting✨ to see other notable Harry Potter locations in the future!
Love always,
Nicole ❤
