Fangirling at The Making of Harry Potter Studio

From the time I read a post last year that The Making of Harry Potter Studio will open in Tokyo, I was eager to visit it. As a Potterhead, you can never miss this attraction once you visited Japan. So when I planned my 2^nd visit in Japan, I decided to add a day in Harry Potter Studio. I booked a ticket via Klook scheduled for Wednesday to avoid crowd.

How did I get there?

From my hotel in S-PERIA Inn Nihombashi, I rode a train going to Toshimaen Station. From the train station, I walked in the pavements with snow for about 10 minutes. Right in time, I arrived before 11 AM in the studio. I intended to be early so I can enjoy the studio longer.

While walking in snow-y pavement, I took some time to take photos of Petronus, Hagrid, Harry and the Basilisk. If you are a Potterhead, from this moment forth, your excitement will escalate to a different level.

The entrance of the studio will mesmerize you with how big it is. The encircled banner of Hogwarts castle will welcome you. On the sides are The Food Hall and souvenir shop.

What are the activities inside The Making of Harry Potter Studios?

Entrance Fee: Php 2,679, pre-booked in PH before my travel

There are a lot of activities and attractions you can see inside the studio. You need 4 to 5 hours to enjoy the place. From different parts of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest, Ministry of Magic and more. Plus, you will see how the creatures, props and also sounds made. It was indeed a wonderful experience if you are a super fan of the Wizarding World.

The Food Hall

But a place is not enjoyable if you are hungry, so I decided to eat brunch first at The Food Hall. Remember the Hall where the students of Hogwarts share meals, gossip, study and enjoy the sorting of hat. Its was like that!

The Food Hall offered breakfast and lunch combo. Since I ate a light breakfast, I ordered the 9 ¾ platform breakfast meal. It has bread with the platform number, sausage, eggs, beans, hash brown, some salad. It was a delightful meal.

After my tour in the studio, I returned to The Food Hall to try the Philosopher’s Stone in the Frog Cafe. They sell different kinds of desserts, of course, in Harry Potter theme.

The Philosopher’s Stone is a tiramisu that will give you a sweet energy after the 5 hours I walked inside the studio. It was on spot with it’s sweetness and bitterness. So happy to eat the stone (jelly) that Nicolas Flamel created. 😁

Travel Tip: To give you idea about the food prices, the 9 ¾ platform breakfast meal was ¥ 2,200 while the Philosopher’s Stone dessert was ¥ 900.

Cinema

This is where the actual start of the tour. The Japanese guides will be displayed in a big TV together with other Potterheads to introduce the studio. Tourists will line up and watch a scene from the movie of Harry Potter. After that, all certain behind-the-scene photos including all the posters released from the HP series and Fantastic Beast series were hanged in walls.

It was nostalgia to see the old posters as it signify all of the series highlights. How Harry, Hermione and Ron evolved from kids to adults.

The Great Hall

From the Cinema section, we moved to the entrance of The Great Hall. It gave me some chills as I remembered how Professor McGonagall was very thrilled to cast the spell “Piertotum Locomotor”. Who can forget that? ✨

As we entered inside The Great Hall, the long tables and chairs welcomed us. It was really like inside Hogwarts. All props in the wall, ceiling, tables, chairs and fireplace were very much a-like in the movies.

In the front, the replica of Hogwarts professors were displayed. Professor Dumbledore is in the middle like he was there to say a welcome speech. It was like my first year in Hogwarts came true!

Marble “Moving” Staircases

In the first movie Philosopher’s Stone, one of the magical setting we watched was the moving staircases that will lead students to different floors including their houses rooms.

And oh man! It was in the studio! I was very much amazed how the staircases were moving on its own! It was magical!

You will see different moving portraits here too! My Potter heart was full to see these portraits and staircases moving!

Travel Tip: You can line-up here to take a video and it will be displayed in one of the portraits. As for me, I haven’t done this activity as I can’t scan the QR code displayed in the queue. My mobile data was weak inside the studio.

Living at Hogwarts

After seeing the staircases, the common rooms of each houses were part of the studio. I was, of course, loveee the common room of my own house – Slytherin. 💚💚💚

The common room of Gryffindor was interesting too! The Fat Lady portrait was there too to guard the Gryffindor house.

Costume and Props

No movie is complete without costume or props. Harry Potter series was full it! From each movies up to Fantastic Beasts series, the costumes and props of the movies were nonetheless one of the best!

You will really feel like you are part of the Quidditch tournament upon seeing the brooms, flags houses, the Snitch and the actual arena!

Travel Tip: Potterheads can line up to act like in a scene of watching the Quidditch tournament. You can scream out loud, cheering for your house there!

The Tri-Wizard Cup costumes and props were there too! The cup itself and the Golden Egg were sitting securely in one of the glass cabinets. Of course, so no one can steal it!

Madame Maxime and Fleur Delacour were replicated as well with their Tri-Wizard costumes. Imagine meeting some members of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic together with other students from Hogwarts and Durmstrang Institute. It could have been the best year of your student life.

The best props in Harry Potter will be incomplete without the Room of Requirement. This room appears to someone who is in very great need. Just like Neville and Harry’s conversation, he found it when he really needs to pee! 😁

From the props used while learning defensive magic in Order of Phoenix, the Vanishing Cabinet from the Half Blood Prince, different kinds of books, old chairs, musical instruments, its all there!

The office of Dumbledore was different level of happiness, too! From his portraits, chair and desk, all mysterious items in his glass cabinets including Faux the Phoenix were very interesting just to see up-close!

The Pensieve was indeed magical! It was like I was really trying to look in the past with all those memories. This rare and powerful magic item was rightfully belonged to Dumbledore.

The evolution of Dumbledore was also part of the Costume and Props section. From Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law. What if you really meet Dumbledore from his young adult phase to his death? It may be huge honor for me.

For me, as a young girl, one of the most unforgettable costume from the Harry Potter series was the gown worn by Hermione in the Yule Ball. It was every girls dream to wear the pinkish purple gown. It also signified the teen life of Hermione for me. From being madly infatuated to Victor Krum to being annoyed to Ron.

The Death Eaters costume and props were also fascinated to see! From the masks they wore and with the costumes of famous Death Eaters Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy.

I was ecstatic to see it all in my own eyes! Indeed, costumes and props make movies more alive! It was the core of platform of all cinematic experience.

Learning at Hogwarts

So, we are all in Hogwarts to study, right? So it is rightful to add in the studio the Potions Classroom, Professor McGonagall room and Defense Against the Dark Arts room.

The Potions Classroom was really dark like a cave but it was exactly like what was on the movie. All of the potions in glasses were kept safely. You will be amazed by the pots brewing potions as it moved on its own! Professor Horace Slughorn will also show you his potions suitcase.

A simple corner was dedicated to our lovely Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall together with her lectures about the the transfiguration.

All of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professors were too! Replicas of Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody, Remus Lupin, Dolores Umbridge, the Crow Siblings and Severus Snape were all present.

Travel Tip: Do not miss the DADA lecture to cast spells like “Riddikulus”, “Expelliarmus” and “Stupefy”. The lecture was for about less than 5 minutes only.

The Mirror of Erised was there too! As per Dumbledore this mirror shows the deepest and most desperate desired of our hearts. For Harry, he saw his parents when he first laid his eyes on this magical mirror.

Travel Tip: Long queue awaits to take photos in this magical mirror.

Learning at Hogwarts is not complete if the library was not there. Luckily, you can take photos in the library with all the books you needed.

Before the end of this studio section, Voldemort will help you in the exit in the Tower of Astronomy. A wall with all the Hogwarts rules made by Professor Umbridge was there and Salazar Slytherin too.

Forbidden Forest

A big part of the Harry Potter series from the beginning to the end was in the Forbidden Forest. It is called as Dark Forest due to many mysterious events and creatures lived there.

In the studio, Hagrid and Hippogriff will welcome you. The car owned by the Weasley family was still stuck at the Forbidden Forest. Remember how the Weasley brothers rescued Harry from the Dursley? Fun days!

The centaurs are nowhere else found but in the Forbidden Forest. They are also called half-breed due to their physical appearance of half man and half horse. They were actually kind and helpful. But I think not to Umbridge! 😁

Lastly, the Patronus of Severus Snape and Lily Potter were seen in the Forbidden Forest. They called the Patronus Charm as spirit guardian. Ready to shout “Expecto Patronum”? 🤩🤩🤩

Travel Tip: If you do not like dark places, it is better to have a companion here.

Hagrid’s Hut

Hagrid’s Hut is outside the studio, perfect for the pumpkins to grow. As I was in Tokyo, it snowed the other night. Thus, the hut became more charming.

Inside the hut was Hagrid, Fang the Dog and all of Hagrid’s stuffs were complete displayed. From Hagrid’s kitchenwares, cages of bird, bed and teddy bears and more! It will be a lovely day to have a cup of tea with Hagrid and just talk about his animal friends and adventures.

Backlot

Still outside the studio are the Weasley’s car, the Knight Bus, Hogwarts bridge and the massive chessboard.

I saw in one friend’s post that Hagrid’s motor was there too! But I never got the chance to see it there.

More likely, I enjoyed most the Dursley’s House with the famous address #4 Privet Drive. This is where Harry raised by his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley. Though we all know that the childhood of Harry inside this house was not very pleasant, the entire story of Harry Potter is incomplete with it.

Remember when Aunt Marge got bigger and bigger and flew in the air! It was actually there! The replica of Aunt Marge flying was there! 😀 It was really fun to see it!

Plus all of the mails received and kept by the Dursley was flying around their living room with their ugly sofas. It was magical!

Butterbeer Bar

Time to take a break from the studio tour. You may opt to choose the Backlot Cafe or the Butterbeer Bar. As for me, I chose butterbeer! Similar of what I had in USJ last year, it was the same butterbeer in a faster counter queue line.

Seats and tables are in the bar to enjoy your cup of butterbear. You can also buy some snacks but butterbeer was enough for me, that cool drink bring Hogsmeade memories.

Travel Tip: Do not throw that butterbeer cup you used, that is yours as souvenir! You can wash it in the sinks inside the Butterbeer Bar. The Butterbeer and cup is ¥ 1,100. No fee for the washing of cup and you can get a plastic bag for free to keep your cup.

Platform 9 ¾ and Hogwarts Express

So, who doesn’t want to enter a secret portal going to Hogwarts! We all know that the Platform 9 ¾ is the train station to get to the Hogwarts Castle. It’s perfect to take photos with your suitcases entering the platform.

The Hogwarts Express is also like bringing you to your first day of school in magical way. The steam train was there to take you comfortably to your school.

Plus, you can enter the the train itself! You can see Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna and Ginny inside the train and sitting in their comfy couches. Anything you need in the trolley, dear? 😋

London Ministry of Magic

I think this the best section of this tour! I never thought that I will love to be inside the Ministry of Magic. The entire place looks very real!!! I was in owe to see it!

There was a different excitement for me when I get to see the green tiled-walls and the muggles -in their rightful places. It was really fun to be in this part of the studio.

I think I was really amazed on how it has been created. Unlike the other sections with natural materials, this look very modern. But definitely, it was one of the best experience inside the studio.

Travel Tip: You can have a video captured inside each chambers like it seems you were from the muggle world going to the ministry. I did not get the chance to do the video because I get more ecstatic about the entire props in the ministry than the video. 🤩

Creature Shop

This section was very fascinating! From the animal actors of Hedwig, Fang, Crookshanks and Mrs. Norris, it was all complete! It was lovely to see how real animals were like in a movie.

The animatronic head of Hagrid where displayed here too, it was moving like a real person together with the other creatures like animatronic version of Hedwig, Hagrid’s giant brother Grawp.

Of course, who will forget the elves and goblins of the series as one of the important creatures! Dobby, Griphook and Gringotts goblins were vital part of the movies. Some of them were bad and kind but we can never doubt their loyalty.

Broomstick Experience

As a true wizard or witch, a broomstick lecture is a must! Thrilled! It was part of the studio! The studio staff will guide you how to use your broomstick and travel to different part of United Kingdom going to Hogwarts.

I actually thought of not doing it, but with the looks from the first people in the line, it was really fun. So, after some minutes in the queue, it was my turn!

I was thrilled to ride my broomstick! The staff will guide you on which side you will lean to and what you need to do next. Cameras were placed in 3 angles so all of your actions can be seen. It was a fun experience! I never thought I will enjoy it! It was really fun!

Travel Tip: Aside from the broomstick experience, you can take photo like you are wanted wizard or witch. After the broomstick experience, queue in the counter line to get a copy of your photos and the video. You can opt to get 2 or 3 soft and hard copies of your photos. For me, I chose the package with soft and hard copies (2 hard copies, 4 soft copies of photos with broomstick and wanted plus 1 video) for ¥ 6,050.

Art of Sound

This section is dedicated to how the scoring of songs and sounds made during the film. It was astounding to see how common materials at home can be used as sound effects.

Of course, the scoring of sounds together with an orchestra was fantastic. 🎼🎹🥁🎷🎺

Diagon Alley

The shopping center of Wizarding World in London. Many important shops, pubs, restaurants, inns are here like the Ollivander Wand Shop, Leaky Cauldron, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and more.

Gringotts Bank is also in Diagon Alley, perfect to withdraw golds before your shopping escapade. Hope to see a real goblin, but there was none. 😅 What if a dragon? 😱😱😱

Harry Potter Signs

This is not part of the actual studio map, but I want to add this in this blog to recognize the beautiful artworks of signs and labels in the entire series.

From the signages of shops, wanted papers, Daily Prophet front covers, Marauder’s Map and the Black Family Tree.

These were all part of the Wizarding World that marked my enthusiasm about the entire series.

Hogwarts Model

The entire model of Hogwarts will surprise you before you exit the studio. It was massive! The castle mode was intricately made.

I love that all parts of the castle including the exteriors where shown exactly how it was depicted from the movies.

Hogwarts is Hogwarts. A place of magic, childhood and comfort.

Wand Room and Studio Shop

Like any other fangirl or fanboy, souvenirs and official merchandise is a must! If you are a true Potterhead, you MIGHT buy all of the items in the shop.

I already got my wand when I visited USJ last year so I was up for the Slytherin scarf. There were too many items I wanted to buy but since I splurge already with the pictures and video from the broomstick experience, I resisted to buy more.

Overall, my experience in The Making of Harry Potter Studio was one-of-a-kind! I never regretted to spend a day in the studio. Though I travel alone, my ecstatic experience never let me feel lonely. 💜