There is no escape from Harry Potter. Voldemort found this out to his peril and more than twenty years after the first movie was released we’re still transfixed by every bit of Potter news or paraphernalia that comes our way, including updates for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
More than two years ago, Warner Bros. Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Japan, Seibu Railway Co Ltd, ITOCHU Corporation and Fuyo General Lease Co Ltd, announced the second The Making Of Harry Potter Studio Tour would open in Tokyo, Japan in 2023.
Although plenty has gotten in the way since then, we’ve learnt that the HP theme park is set to be ready for opening in the summer, which is in fact Australia’s winter, and that obviously has the Potterheads we know very, very excited.
Taking over part of the historic Toshimaen Amusement Park in Nerima Ward, which has now closed for good, the newest mecca for all things HP will offer the type of experiential entertainment that Harry Potter fans on this side of the world have been missing.
Similar to London’s Harry Potter Studio Tour, it will feature many of the now-iconic movie sets that were actually designed and built by the creators of the Harry Potter series. Along with original costumes and props on display, visitors will be able to experience scenes from the films firsthand and discover how the world’s favorite book series was brought to life because when it comes to the movies, the real magic happens in production, i.e., behind the scenes.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter will include a ‘Sound Stage’ as well as a ‘Backlot’ and, although not technically part of the theme park, there will also be a landscaped garden peppered with statues of mythical creatures from the HP and Fantastic Beasts series. Hogsmeade train station will also come to life with Toshimaen Station getting a wizarding world makeover while part of Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo will be transformed into Kings Cross.
To get around, though, you’ll be wishing for a broomstick since the 30,000-square-metre site will take visitors approximately half a day to walk around. Thankfully, we’ve also heard that visitor numbers will be capped per day.
The first Studio Tour, as you know, is in London and since 2012 it has welcomed over 14 million visitors.