Discover The Magic: A Complete Guide & Review of The Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo

Steeped in magic and wonder, the Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter offers an enchanting journey through the beloved Wizarding World.

Opened in 2023, this immersive experience is the newest and largest Harry Potter attraction – and the first Warner Bros. Studio Tour to debut in Asia.

Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the movies’ most iconic sets, partake in magical encounters, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process.

As an avid Harry Potter fan myself, I can honestly say it’s a one-of-a-kind experience – an adventure that really transports you right into the magical world of Harry Potter.

From the grand halls of Hogwarts to the mysterious corridors of Diagon Alley and the dark depths of the Forbidden Forest, you’ll be able to discover it all!

And with this guide, you’ll be well prepared. 

Below, I’ll walk you through every magical detail you need to know, sharing insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.

So don’t delay, grab your wand, and join me as we discover the magic, wonder, and excitement of the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo.

By train, it’s about 25 minutes away from Shinjuku Station and 40 minutes away from Tokyo Station.

To get here, you’ll want to take either the Seibu Toshima Line or the Toei Subway Oedo Line to Toshimaen Station.

From there, it’s just a short three to five-minute walk over to the Harry Potter Studio, depending upon the route you take.

Pro Tip: Use Google Maps to help you get around! This travel app syncs with local public transportation and provides accurate, up-to-date transit information.

When you purchase your tickets, you’ll also select a time slot. This is when your tour will begin, although you are welcome to show up early.

In fact, the studio encourages participants to arrive 30-60 minutes early, so everyone has plenty of time to get through security and baggage check. 

Along those same lines, I also recommend booking the first slot of the day. Operating hours can vary, but the first tour usually departs at 9:00am. I did this and am very happy to report that it was significantly less crowded then it was when I left later that afternoon.

You’ll also want to wear comfortable shoes. The Harry Potter Studio in Tokyo is the largest to date, so you should be prepared to do a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes or sneakers are definitely the way to go – it’ll make your experience much more enjoyable!

All you really need to bring with you is your phone (for photos, of course!), a bottle of water (highly recommended), and your wallet – there’s a cafe and butterbeer bar located inside the studio!

You also may want to avoid green clothing if you plan to partake in any of these immersive experiences. Some of the activities, like broomstick riding, utilize green screens. So, it’s best to wear other colors, if you’d like to actually show up in your videos.

• Welcome/Cinema Area: This is where your introduction to the tour begins! You’ll first enter a large room decorated with movie posters. Then, you’ll get to watch a brief introduction video and a short movie about the filmmaking process. 
• The Great Hall: The first replica set you’ll encounter is the Great Hall. It’s just as impressive as it is in the movies!
• Production Design: This short section includes several small-scale models of the various sets.
• Marble Staircase: Just like in the movies, the Marble Staircase here moves – and is surrounded by several animated portraits!
• Living at Hogwarts: This section features replicas of the various dorm rooms, including Gryffindor and Slytherin!
• Costume & Props: Here, you can check out the costumes and props used by students and professors alike. There’s even an interactive Quidditch experience where you can sit in as a member of the cheering crowd.
• Learning at Hogwarts: This area features several classrooms from the movies, including Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, as well as, Dumbledore’s Office.
• Forbidden Forest: The Forbidden Forest was the creepiest section of the tour, but in a good way! Here, you’ll find several creatures, including centaurs, spiders, and hippogriffs. 
• Hagrid’s Hut: Home to Fang, Hagrid’s trusty sidekick, the hut is an exact replica from the movies.
• Back Lot: The Back Lot is home to a variety of sets including the Hogwarts Bridge, Privat Drive, and the Knight Bus. This is also where you can grab some food and/or sample some Butterbeer!
• Platform 9¾: Here, you can explore Platform 9¾, board the Hogwarts Express, and purchase some souvenirs from the Railway Shop. There’s even a display set-up from Fantastic Beasts! 
• London Ministry of Magic: Found only in Tokyo, this live-scale replica of the Ministry of Magic is really impressive! It also features a number of interactive fireplaces, where you can travel by floo powder.
• Creature Shop: This section is all about the creatures from the World of Harry Potter. Here, you can learn how they were made and check out replicas of them.
• Broomstick Experience: The most popular interactive experience, this is where you can get a video of yourself riding a broomstick through London! 
• Art of Sound: Featuring music and sound effects, this section explores the role that sound plays in the movies.
• Diagon Alley: One of my favorite sets, Diagon Alley was very impressive – and super realistic!
• Graphic Design: This section was pretty much covered from floor to ceiling with posters, newspaper clippings, and other graphic displays from the movies.
• Hogwarts Model: Here, you can check out a smaller, but very detailed model of Hogwarts Castle and the surrounding grounds.

*Please note: All of the interactive experiences are free to participate in, but it does cost extra to obtain some of the accompanied videos and photos.

The sets were stunning, the interactive experiences were a blast, and the Butterbeer was downright delicious.

I was also really impressed by the decorations! 

I visited during the studio’s Hogwarts in the Snow event, which takes place annually around the holidays.

For this event, the studio is adorned with festive decor –  think Christmas trees and twinkling lights! It truly makes the experience all the more magical!

The only complaint I really have about the studio is its location. It’s a bit far from the city center, which can be inconvenient. 

That being said, I still loved my visit and would still highly recommend it – especially if you’re a Harry Potter fan. 

But even if you’re not, it’s still fun to see how they bring the magic of the movies to life.

My only word of caution is to allot yourself ample time and get there early! 

As the only Harry Potter Studio Tour in Asia, it’s quite popular and can get very crowded.

So, book your tickets in advance, grab the earliest time slot you can, and come during the week, if possible!