Tokyo’s Harry Potter Studio Tour: Your Complete Guide

Opened in 2023, Tokyo's Harry Potter Studio Tour is the first one in Asia, following the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. It is currently the world's largest indoor Harry Potter movie set experience.

Compared to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo — The Making of Harry Potter doesn't feature traditional theme park rides. Instead, it recreates iconic scenes from the movies, immersing visitors in their magic and atmosphere. The experience is more of a walking tour, where you could interact with many of the magical elements seen in the movies.

Top Things to Do at Warner Bros. Studio Tour — The Making of Harry Potter

The park is large and recreates most scenes from the Harry Potter movies, so you would need to spend 4 hours or more exploring all of the interesting spots and getting up close to props and costumes.

You could immerse yourself in the iconic movie scenes, interact with various elements, and take numerous photos. Wearing a wizard's robe and wielding a wand, you would feel like a student at Hogwarts.

1. Explore Hogwarts Hall

After entering the studio and watching a short introductory film, you would enter the Great Hall of Hogwarts. There, the host would ask if anyone is celebrating a birthday and the Hogwarts doors could be opened by a visitor whose birthday it is. In this iconic setting, you could see life-size statues of the characters and the unique uniforms of the four houses.

2. Enjoy Interesting Interactive Experiences

The studio offers numerous interactive experiences, including a Quidditch experience unique to Japan!

• Quidditch match: You could step onto a green screen and join the Quidditch match as a spectator or ride a broomstick to simulate flying over the cityscape of London, enhancing the thrill of the Quidditch match. You could also download your footage as a keepsake!
• Magic tools: You could become a moving portrait on the Grand Staircase or peer into the Pensieve to view memories.
• The Forbidden Forest: Step into the eerie Forbidden Forest, where you would encounter magical creatures from the movies, such as Buckbeak the Hippogriff and Dementors. You could interact with these creatures, such as simulating petting or dodging attacks, and, in some scenes, you would need to use a wand to cast spells and light your path.
• Floo powder: Another interactive experience involves using Floo powder. This simulation recreates the classic moment from the Harry Potter series, where you're surrounded by smoke and transported to the Ministry of Magic.
• Dark Arts lesson: You could also learn to cast spells in a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson and use a wand to battle virtual enemies.

3. Marvel at Harry Potter's Life with the Dursleys

The outdoor scenes, such as Aunt Marge's house and the Knight Bus, are meticulously recreated. While it's not possible to board the Knight Bus, its detailed exterior is impressive. The Dursleys' house features flying letters, each with different text, and a life-sized inflatable Aunt Marge. The entire scene is realistically brought to life. There's also a bridge scene that you could walk through, which is perfect for photos.

4. Eat Wizarding Meals at Restaurants and Cafés

There are several dining options both inside and beside the studio entrance.

The Backlot Café offers Wizarding World-themed food and desserts. It serves hot meals themed around the four Hogwarts houses as well as color-changing and flavor-changing drinks. In the center of the table in the Backlot Café, you would find Professor Umbridge's afternoon tea, a special treat exclusive to the Tokyo Studio Tour.

The Butterbeer Bar offer famous Butterbeer. Despite its beer-like appearance, Butterbeer is non-alcoholic and suitable for both adults and children. It has a rich, sweet flavor similar to butterscotch. You could even take the cup home as a souvenir after washing it.

Another snack option is the Frog Café, inspired by the chocolate frogs enjoyed by Harry and his friends. The café, located near the tour entrance, sells coffee, cupcakes, and doughnuts.

There's only a restaurant at the studio's entrance that offers a Platform 9¾-themed meal. The restaurant is designed to resemble the Hogwarts dining hall, making it a great place to relax and dine after your tour.

5. Explore Platform 9¾ to the Magic World

Platform 9¾ is the iconic train platform where students board the Hogwarts Express. The scene recreates the platform and the train's engine, offering plenty of photo opportunities. The set is large and each compartment in the Hogwarts Express features different scenes.

How Long to Spend at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo

Plan to spend 3–4 hours at the studio. There's no strict limit on how long you could stay in each part, but you should be mindful of your reserved entry time. You could enter up to an hour before the scheduled opening time, but you must arrive no later than 20 minutes after your reserved time. It's best not to be late.

How to Enjoy the Harry Potter Studio Tour

The tour is divided into three sections, with a one-way path that doesn't allow for backtracking, although there are no time limits on how long you could stay. While you wouldn't be allowed to go backward between the sections, you could move freely within each one. The tour route is a loop, so you would eventually return to the starting point.

• First section: Hogwarts Hall – Gryffindor Common Room and Dormitory – a moving staircase – the Room of Requirement – the Pensieve – the Forbidden Forest – a magic classroom
• Middle section: dining area (with food options, including Owl Cupcakes) – the Butterbeer Café – outdoor scenes
• Final section: Platform 9¾ – Diagon Alley – Ministry of Magic – 'wanted' poster photoshoot – large castle model

The first section covers movie scenes from Hogwarts, similar to an exhibition, providing insight into the movies' behind-the-scenes magic. If you take the time to read the displays, you would learn about the different roles in filmmaking, such as set designers and animators. While this part isn't ideal for group photos, it offers different photo opportunities.

The outdoor scenes and the final section have better lighting and are perfect for group photos, such as pushing a luggage cart into the platform wall or exploring Diagon Alley.

How to Book a Ticket

You could book your ticket via the official website or through third-party platforms. Tickets are allocated for specific time slots. Each ticket includes entry and a meal.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Tickets are available up to 3 months in advance. The Studio Tour is open almost year-round, with some exceptions for special holidays. Be sure to check the website for the operating hours on your planned visit date.

Morning tickets are in higher demand compared to afternoon ones. If you wish to visit in the morning, make sure to reserve your tickets on the official website at least a week in advance. For bookings through third-party platforms, it's best to reserve about a month and a half ahead of time.

Ticket prices:

• Adults (18+): $45 (¥6,600)
• Teens (12–17): $37 (¥5,400)
• Children (4–11): $27 (¥4,000)
• Children under 4: free

How to Get to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo — The Making of Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is a 5-minute walk from Toshimaen Station, accessible via the Seibu Toshima Line and the Toei Oedo Line.

Taking the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to the Seibu Toshima Line and getting off at Toshimaen Station could be the most convenient and exciting way to reach the studio. If your route allows, it's highly recommended to check out the two Harry Potter-themed stations along this line.

• Ikebukuro Station (platforms 2 and 3): These platforms are transformed to resemble Platform 9¾ from London's King's Cross Station, complete with a clock matching the one in the movies.
• Toshimaen Station: This station, the closest to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, is a short walk away and is decorated to resemble Hogsmeade Station, the closest train station to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter universe. Videos related to the movies are regularly shown on the station's exterior walls.

Please note that Seibu Toshimaen Station (on the Seibu Toshima Line) and Oedo Toshimaen Station (on the Toei Oedo Line) are separate stations, although they are located next to each other. Be sure to check the signs carefully to avoid entering the wrong station.

By Train

• From Ginza: Take the subway from Ginza Station and transfer to the Toei Oedo Line, which would take you directly to Toshimaen Station. This takes about 1 hour, with a total fare of approximately US$2.50–3.50 (JP¥370–515).
• From Ikebukuro Station (highly recommended): Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Nerima Station, then transfer to the Seibu Toshima Line and get off at Toshimaen Station. This takes 17 minutes with a one-way fare of US$1.30 (JP¥190).
• From Shinjuku Station: Take the Toei Oedo Line directly to Toshimaen Station. This takes 20 minutes with a one-way fare of US$2 (JP¥290).

By Car

From the Tokyo Outer Ring Road, exit at the Oizumi Interchange and drive along Mejiro Avenue for 20 minutes.

Tips for Visiting Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo

1. Visiting time: It's recommended to avoid visiting on holidays and to tour the studio in the morning when it's less crowded, allowing more time to explore without feeling rushed.

2. Shopping: Upon entering the studio, you would find three main areas, a dining area, a shopping area, and the entrance to the tour itself. You could shop either before or after your visit, and you could even have your name engraved on the clothes and wands you purchase. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the experience, consider buying these items before entering and leaving other souvenirs for after the tour. The shop at the studio entrance also requires a ticket for entry.

3. Eating: It's recommended to eat before starting the tour since it could be lengthy and food is only available at the start and in the middle section. If you visit in the afternoon, the restaurants near the exit are often crowded by the time you finish your studio tour.

4. QR code: The park offers free Wi-Fi and you would need to register for an interactive QR code in advance. It's best for each person to have their own code if you plan to capture videos since many interactive experiences require scanning to activate magical effects and save videos.

5. Wear comfortable shoes, as the park is large and it would take 4 hours or more to fully explore and participate in the activities. There would be a lot of standing and seating is only available in the dining area during the middle section of the tour.

6. Luggage storage and audio guide rental: If you have large luggage, you would need to go to the ticket office on the left for storage. If you don't have large items, you could proceed directly to the studio entrance.

Once inside, you could store small items on the right side and rent an audio guide on the left. Guides are available in both Japanese and English, but if you're already familiar with the story, renting one might not be necessary.

7. No photos area: Upon entering the Harry Potter Studio Tour, staff would guide visitors to gather in a screening room to watch a short film about how the movies were made. Photography is not allowed during this segment.

8. Opening hours:

• Mondays to Thursdays: 9am–7:30pm
• Fridays: 9am–8:30pm
• Weekends and holidays: 8:30am–10pm

Need Help Planning Your Trip to Japan?

Wizards-in-training, are you ready to embark on your Harry Potter magical journey? If you are interested or have other preferences or travel ideas, feel free to contact us. Our travel advisor will help you find the perfect itinerary and design your Japan tour.

Further Reading: Top 7 Theme Parks in Central Tokyo