By / MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
The long-imagined “Harry Potter Wizarding World” will finally become a reality in Osaka, Japan. After years of anticipation by Muggles, Asia’s first-ever “Harry Potter Wizarding World,” built with an investment of 45 billion yen, will grandly open on July 15 at “Universal Studios Japan”! The vast scale of the park and Japanese artisans’ absolute dedication to detail faithfully recreate the scenes and atmosphere from the Harry Potter stories penned by author J.K. Rowling. The level of completion is nothing short of breathtaking.The buzz surrounding the park’s opening spread widely following the official announcement at the press conference, drawing attention not only across Japan but also internationally. This has sent inquiry levels soaring once again for Osaka, which is already a popular summer travel destination.
The long-imagined “Harry Potter Wizarding World” will finally become a reality in Osaka, Japan. After years of anticipation by Muggles, Asia’s first-ever “Harry Potter Wizarding World,” built with an investment of 45 billion yen, will grandly open on July 15 at “Universal Studios Japan”! The vast scale of the park and Japanese artisans’ absolute dedication to detail faithfully recreate the scenes and atmosphere from the Harry Potter stories penned by author J.K. Rowling. The level of completion is nothing short of breathtaking.The buzz surrounding the park’s opening spread widely following the official announcement at the press conference, drawing attention not only across Japan but also internationally. This has sent inquiry levels soaring once again for Osaka, which is already a popular summer travel destination.
Harry Potter Wizarding World lands at Universal Studios Japan. (Image provided by Cola Travel)!&
More than a decade ago, we followed Harry into Diagon Alley through books and movies, embarking on an unimaginable and magical journey in our imagination. After the opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Japan, stepping into Harry Potter’s magical world will turn from imagination into a real experience. Just like in the story scenes, guided along a tree-lined path through an archway, the expansive magical world as seen through Harry’s eyes will come into view — the majestic “Hogwarts Castle” towering over rugged cliffs and the bustling wizarding village “Hogsmeade,” both areas will unfold before your eyes.
Inside “Hogwarts Castle,” the classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as “Dumbledore’s Office,” will all come vividly to life. Don’t miss the chance to soar through the skies and embark on magical adventures alongside Harry. The award-winning ride “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” which has received accolades for outstanding achievements in amusement attractions, will take you on a truly unique fantasy experience using cutting-edge 4K technology. Step out of the castle and begin your flying training. “Flight of the Hippogriff” is a family-friendly roller coaster-style attraction where, after Hagrid teaches you the proper way to approach the magical creature Hippogriff, you’ll ride one and soar above the pumpkin patch, looking down on Hagrid’s hut and enjoying breathtaking views of this magical world from the sky.
“Cola Tours” has specially curated a series of “Guaranteed Entry” tour packages for Harry Potter group and independent travelers. (Image provided by Cola Tours)
In the magical world of Harry Potter, it’s a big deal for the wand to choose the wizard!“Ollivanders” shop offers wands used by various characters from the Harry Potter films. Here, you can go through a wonderfully surprising selection process to find your very own wand. When passing by “Honeydukes,” the candy store always stocked with colorful sweets loved by Hogwarts students, why not try special treats from the story like “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans” or “Chocolate Frogs”! At “Zonko’s Joke Shop,” a favorite of the Weasley twins Fred and George, you’ll find a dazzling array of prank items such as “Extendable Ears”—take your pick among all the mischievous goodies on display. When boarding the “Hogwarts Express” from Platform 9¾ to Hogsmeade Station, be sure to wave and snap a commemorative photo with the conductor if you see him nearby. A visit to the historic Hogsmeade pub “The Three Broomsticks” is a great place to enjoy classic British fare like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Then head over to the eerie yet charming “The Hog’s Head” for a drink. With a wide variety of magical brews available, don’t miss sharing a review of the non-alcoholic “Butterbeer”—the fan-favorite in the wizarding world—so that Muggles who haven’t been to the “Harry Potter Wizarding World” can imagine just how delightful it tastes. Don’t forget to send a letter or postcard to friends and family from the “Owl Post,” where your mail will be stamped with the Hogsmeade postmark and sent from the magical realm to the human world.
The “Harry Potter Wizarding World” is expected to bring an unprecedented surge of tourists to the Osaka area of Japan. Already a must-visit destination and globally iconic, “Universal Studios Japan” has achieved an astonishing annual attendance of over 10.5 million visitors with its popular rides like Spider-Man, live-action shows such as One Piece, the spectacular “Universal Spectacle Night Parade,” various seasonal events, and the whimsical “Super Nintendo World” featuring characters from Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and Elmo. This summer, with the grand opening of the brand-new 80,000 square-meter “Harry Potter Wizarding World” area, visitor numbers to “Universal Studios Japan” are projected to multiply. To maintain the quality of the experience, daily entry to both “Universal Studios Japan” and the “Harry Potter Wizarding World” is subject to capacity control. To prevent overseas visitors from traveling all the way to Osaka only to be disappointed by entry restrictions, “Cola Tour” has specially curated a series of guaranteed-entry tour packages for both group and independent travelers. No need to worry about being turned away due to limits—every package includes a guaranteed-entry service to the “Harry Potter Wizarding World.” Travelers planning to enter the world of Harry Potter this summer can start planning now!!