Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo－The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

In June 2023, a new door to the Wizarding World opened in Tokyo.
Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter invites you not only to revisit iconic movie scenes but also to step into the artistry, craftsmanship, and filmmaking magic that brought them to life.

Located on the former site of the beloved Toshimaen amusement park in Nerima, this walk-through attraction lets visitors experience authentic film sets, props, and costumes while uncovering the secrets behind their creation.

This guide takes you through every highlight — from exhibits and must-watch films to the story’s British roots and how the Tokyo tour compares with its London counterpart.

Harry Potter Studio Tour：Overview and Background

Built on the grounds of the closed Toshimaen amusement park, the Tokyo Studio Tour was developed by Warner Bros. Japan together with Itochu Corporation and the Seibu Group. It is Asia’s first permanent facility dedicated to the Harry Potter films and the second of its kind in the world after London.

Unlike a theme park with rides, this is a walk-through immersive exhibition. Every corridor, classroom, and courtyard has been recreated to reveal the behind-the-scenes magic of moviemaking.
Multilingual support (English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean) ensures accessibility for both local visitors and international travelers.

Harry Potter Studio Tour：Location and Access

Address: 1-1-7 Kasugachō, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0074
Nearest Station: Toshimaen Station on the Seibu Toshima Line and the Toei Ōedo Line (2 minutes on foot).

From Ikebukuro, it’s a 17-minute train ride; from Shinjuku, around 20 minutes on the Ōedo Line.
Even the station features subtle Harry Potter-inspired decorations, setting the tone before you enter.

Arriving by car is possible via the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway (Oizumi IC) and Mejiro Street, though parking requires advance reservation. Public transport is strongly recommended.

Tickets and Visit Duration

Tickets are advance reservation only through the official site.

• Adults (18+) – ¥6,750
• Juniors (12–17) – ¥5,600
• Children (4–11) – ¥4,050
• Under 4 – Free

Tickets are non-refundable; date changes incur a ¥1,500 fee.

Average visit time: 3–4 hours.
Because the route is one-way, take your time with displays you find interesting. Early-morning and weekday entries offer the most relaxed experience.

Highlights and Film Links

The Great Hall

Step into Hogwarts’ beating heart — the dining hall. Long wooden tables, floating candles, and house banners recreate scenes from the films.

In The Sorcerer’s Stone, the Sorting Hat ceremony introduced us to the world of magic; in The Goblet of Fire, the Yule Ball filled this space with warmth and light.

Pay attention to how lighting and texture convey atmosphere: every candle and plate was crafted to make “magic” believable on camera.

Diagon Alley

The wizarding world’s most famous shopping street comes alive with storefronts like Ollivanders, Flourish & Blotts, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.

In The Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry’s first steps into Diagon Alley revealed a realm beyond imagination; The Chamber of Secrets shows Gilderoy Lockhart’s flamboyant book signing here.

Look closely at wand boxes, potion labels, and signage — the design density is stunning, proving that world-building lives in the details.

Platform 9¾ & the Hogwarts Express

Walk through the barrier between worlds and board the full-scale Hogwarts Express.The set recreates the train and platform where countless goodbyes and new beginnings took place.

From Harry’s first departure in The Sorcerer’s Stone to the tense Dementor encounter in The Prisoner of Azkaban, this setting symbolizes crossing from the ordinary to the magical.

Observe the craftsmanship: real locomotive parts merge with screen-projection windows to simulate movement.

The Forbidden Forest

Dim lighting, sound effects, and creature models capture the forest’s eerie majesty.

Aragog’s lair, unicorn tracks, and Buckbeak’s clearing echo moments from The Sorcerer’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, and The Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The space evokes mystery, danger, and discovery — recurring themes throughout the series.

Ministry of Magic — Tokyo Exclusive

Tokyo’s crown jewel is the full-scale Ministry of Magic Atrium, unique in the world.

Towering marble pillars, fireplaces used for Floo Powder travel, and vast golden mosaics transport visitors directly into the wizarding government’s corridors.

Scenes from The Order of the Phoenix (the Department of Mysteries battle) and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 (the infiltration sequence) echo through the design.

No other location — not even London — lets you walk through this monumental set.

Costumes, Props, Models, and Creature Effects

Authentic robes, wands, spellbooks, potion bottles, and magical creatures fill the galleries.
Study the “distressing” techniques used to age fabric and armor, or examine hand-lettered labels on potion jars.

The Hogwarts Castle model demonstrates how miniature sets and digital compositing blended to create cinematic realism.

5. Which Films to Watch Before Visiting

Essential Two:

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – Introduces almost every major location on display.
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) – Centers on the Ministry of Magic, the highlight of Tokyo’s tour.

Recommended Add-ons:

• The Chamber of Secrets – More Diagon Alley and forest scenes.
• The Prisoner of Azkaban – Train and forest tension sequences.
• The Goblet of Fire – Lavish Great Hall decoration for the Yule Ball.

For readers, Book 1 (Philosopher’s Stone) and Book 5 (Order of the Phoenix) best complement the exhibits.
Watching at least two films beforehand multiplies the emotional resonance of each display.

6. The British and Scottish Roots of the Wizarding World

Hogwarts is canonically located in the Scottish Highlands. Misty lakes, crags, and medieval castles mirror real landscapes across northern Britain.

Famous Filming Locations:

• Glenfinnan Viaduct – The iconic railway bridge crossed by the Hogwarts Express in several films.
• Loch Eilt – Used for Dumbledore’s tomb in The Deathly Hallows Part 2.
• Scottish Glens and Lochs – Provided sweeping backdrops that lend authenticity to the films’ geography.

Author J.K. Rowling wrote much of the series in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city’s narrow alleys and Gothic architecture inspired Hogwarts’ atmosphere and Diagon Alley’s charm.

Victoria Street, with its colorful curve of shopfronts, is widely considered the model for Diagon Alley, while the café “The Elephant House” remains a literary pilgrimage site.

Understanding these real-world inspirations enriches the Tokyo experience — the colors of the bricks, the candlelight tones, even the train’s whistle begin to feel distinctly British.

7. Food, Cafés, and Shops

Three themed cafés await: the Backlot Café, Food Hall, and Frog Café.
Enjoy British-style meals, Hogwarts House-themed desserts, and the famous Butterbeer — served here at one of the world’s largest Butterbeer Bars.

Shops offer robes, wands, notebooks, and Japan-exclusive collectibles.
Note that the replica of Godric Gryffindor’s Sword was once recalled in Japan for legal reasons under the Firearms and Swords Control Act; always confirm restrictions before purchasing.

8. Tips for a Smooth Visit

• Purchase tickets only from the official website or authorized resellers.
• Re-entry is not allowed; plan meals inside.
• Some photo zones are restricted — follow signage.
• Arrive early to beat crowds.
• Allocate enough time for interactive photo or green-screen experiences.
• Reserve parking ahead if driving.

Harry Potter Studio Tour：FAQ — Tokyo vs. London

How does Tokyo differ from the London Studio Tour?

In short: both share the same heart, but different souls.

Tokyo — Immersive and Interactive

• Features the world-exclusive full-scale Ministry of Magic Atrium (approx. 900 m², 35 ft high).
• Boasts the largest Butterbeer Bar, multiple cafés, and spacious shops with Tokyo-exclusive merchandise.
• Designed for hands-on experiences: broomstick green-screen rides, moving portraits, and digital guide interactivity.

London — Authentic Filming Ground

• Located at Leavesden Studios, the actual filming site for all eight films.
• Includes outdoor Backlot Sets — Privet Drive No. 4, the Knight Bus, Hogwarts Bridge — plus the Gringotts Bank Hall (opened 2019).
• Displays more original props and costumes from production, offering a museum-like depth.

Common Ground

Both tours showcase the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest, and Platform 9¾, blending artistry with storytelling. Tokyo emphasizes immersion, while London preserves authenticity.

Size and Scope

Tokyo spans roughly 30,000 m² — one of Warner Bros.’ largest facilities — with an average 3-to-4-hour walkthrough experience.

Which to Choose?

• Want to walk inside the Ministry of Magic or capture cinematic photos? → Tokyo
• Want to stand where the actors truly filmed? → London

Both are unmissable chapters of the same magical saga.

Conclusion — Bring Home the Magic

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is not merely an attraction; it’s a bridge between story and craftsmanship.

Each corridor whispers of British artistry, every prop embodies hours of creative labor, and every visitor becomes part of the narrative.

If you watch a few films before visiting, the sets will feel alive with memory — you’ll recognize the angle of light in the Great Hall or the hum of the Hogwarts Express.

And when you recall Scotland’s misty glens or Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, you’ll sense how a British dream found new life in Tokyo.

The magic never ended; it simply moved continents.
Step through the doors, and it begins again — this time, with you.

The Japanese version of this article is here.↓↓↓

東京で魔法に浸る ハリー・ポッター・スタジオツアー 完全ガイド