Where- The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Osaka, Japan

When- January 2017

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Osaka is something every fan needs to experience. It doesn’t matter if you are a kid, an adult, or somewhere in between— there is something for everyone. The detail that has gone into creating this realistic and interactive world is incredible. The dedication of staff at USJ was outstanding; they were above and beyond helpful, and were just as enthusiastic as the patrons of the park.

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Top 20 Things to do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Japan

Enjoy The Walk To The Entrance Of Hogsmeade
We found the huge stone circle that marked the start of our journey. Harry Potter theme music filled the air with magic as we made our way to the entrance of Hogsmeade Village. We followed the meandering path surrounded by a forest of thick pine trees. It was January in Osaka and the air smell of distant snow and pine needles made it feel like the real Hogsmeade. We were finally going to Hogwarts.
My sister Lucy and I bounced along, caught up in the swarm of Harry Potter fans, many of them dressed in authentic Hogwarts robes. Our husbands trailed behind with the promise that there would be beer at the Three Broomsticks.

2. Look Out For The Weasley’s Car

While the mass of park goers rushed to get into the Wizarding World, we couldn’t miss the chance to see the famous Ford Anglia tucked into the trees. Stop and have a look. You never know, it might come alive…

3. Take In Hogsmeade Village In All Its Glory

The music got louder as we entered Hogsmeade Village and the crowd was chaotic and excited. The smell of butterbeer filled the air and to the right, the Hogwarts Express was letting off steam. Next to it piles of suitcases were flapping around and lighting up. It was hard to know where to look, and to be honest, quite overwhelming. We were among the first into the park and we had timed tickets to enter the Wizarding World. Even doing this there must have been thousands of people ahead of us.

Everywhere you look there is something exciting; shops to go in, people performing magic, stalls of treats, rides, and helpful Wizarding folk to direct you. My advice is to go straight to the Forbidden Journey Ride, don’t get sucked into stopping at every little thing you see. You can always go back.

4. Meet The Hogwarts Express Conductor

Steam puffed out the top of the iconic black and red engine. A cheery fellow manning the Hogwarts Express greeted us and was more than happy to have a photo with us. The Hogwarts Express is to the right of the gates when you enter Hogsmeade and next to it you can perform magic on the suitcases if you have an interactive wand. If you go behind the train station, you can get photos in Hogwarts robes with the train.

Note- this is a stationary train, there is no Diagon Alley in this Wizarding World to travel to, but don’t let this put you off, this place is huge!

5. Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Ride

This was amazing! We were strapped into an enchanted bench with legs dangling, and handed a pair of 3D glasses. Hermione sent us through the Floo network to the Astronomy Tower where we were whisked away and sent soaring across the Hogwarts grounds, weaving between towers and thrown into terrifying dives.

With the 3D experience, we were fully immersed in the scene and the near 360 degree movement of the seat had us spinning in every direction. I was torn between shutting my eyes to stop myself from being sick and opening them to not miss what was going on.

We narrowly missed the fiery breath of a dragon, then were swept into the Forbidden forest where Acromantula emerged spraying venom. We escaped, only to end up in the Whomping Willow, which knocked us around and threw us onto the Quidditch pitch. I was feeling pretty sick; the quidditch was so fast, and the dives made my stomach drop.

We were thrown into more action when dementors appeared. They were actually quite scary and left a chill in the air. It all happened quickly, there was so much action and technology thrown into a short time. Before we knew it, we were back in the Great Hall waving goodbye to Harry, Dumbledore and the crew.

I highly recommend this ride even with the motion sickness. As long as you know you won’t throw up on the ride, do it, then take some time to recover after (maybe go see Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom).

Tips for Harry Potter and the FORBIDDEN journey

We made the mistake of going to the ride too late in the day. I suggest going to this as early as possible, or later at night. We waited in line for nearly two hours, and although this is the best line in the world, it is still a long wait.
Make sure you get the 3D glasses. I went on this ride in Hollywood Wizarding World and they didn’t give us glasses. It’s not as fun when you can see how all the mechanics of it work.
The narration is all in Japanese, but this isn’t a problem because you can still tell what’s going on.

6. Walk Through Hogwarts

Going through Hogwarts is actually the line for the Forbidden Journey ride, so if you go on this you will see most of Hogwarts in great detail while waiting in line. However, if you don’t want to go on the ride, you can do a walk-though of the castle. Stop and appreciate the amazing detail.

We entered the forest next to Hogwarts Castle and followed the long winding path. Eventually we came to the Herbology Greenhouse where the queue of people began. Luckily there were heaters to keep us warm and mandrakes to entertain us. Once in the castle, we saw the sorting hat, watched Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. We saw the entrance to Dumbledore’s office and the Mirror of Erised, and spent a great deal of time watching all the talking portraits on the walls.

There are endless things to look at and I’m sure there are many small details we missed. Enjoy your time in Hogwarts, it’s the best line for a ride you’ll ever be in.

7. Visit Ollivanders Store

With a small group of fellow witches and wizards we entered Ollivanders Store through a secret door amongst the shelves of wands to a back room. The doors closed behind us. Ollivander gave a presentation about wands and selected a young witch to get her first wand chosen for her. As she trialled different wands, each had a dramatic effect on the room. But when she picked the right wand, magic filled the air and her parents had to buy the wand. Ollivander was true to his character. He kept the audience engaged the whole time and spoke both Japanese and English.

8. Get An Interactive Wand

After the wand show you exit into a huge wand shop. Which can also be reached through the Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment Store. You can pick from a vast selection of wands from the movies, or you can get an interactive one that you can use around Hogsmeade. We purchased our wands and went back onto the streets of Hogsmeade, but it was so crowded and there were lines of kids at every interactive spot on the map. We watched some kids being taught how to do the magic and picked up some good tips.

The map that comes with the wand shows you all the secret spots around Hogsmeade where you can perform magic. A plaque on the ground shows you the correct wand movement and incantation to make the magic happen, but during the day there are helpers to teach you. We decided to go back in the evening when it was quieter to try out our own interactive wands. It is good fun and really satisfying when you get it right!

9. Visit Honeydukes

Honeydukes was a mix of vibrant colours, sweet smells and yummy treats. Lucy and I buzzed around the shop getting excited at every familiar sweet we saw. There was every sweet treat you could need, from Jelly Slugs to Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and of course, Chocolate Frogs!

10. Drink Butterbeer

We couldn’t miss trying Butterbeer. There are Butterbeer stands around Hogsmeade, or you can also buy it at the Three Broomsticks. Since it was freezing in Osaka, it was the perfect drink to ward off the chill and make you feel well immersed in the world of Harry Potter.

My first sip revealed that this was the sweetest thing I ever drank in my life. Way too sweet! The butterscotch flavour is rich and creamy, and does taste good, but I couldn’t drink more than a third of the mug. Michael’s choice of getting a real beer was a much wiser decision, and he got the Hogshead souvenir cup to keep. I got the Butterbeer souvenir mug as a keepsake. I’m glad I tried Butterbeer but wouldn’t do so again.

11. Visit Zonko’s Joke Shop

At Zonko’s you can find all sorts of wizarding gadgets and magical tricks. I loved the pygmy puff soft toys and various pygmy puff merch.

12. Have Lunch At The Three Broomsticks

Though it was January, Christmas still filled Hogsmeade, and the Three Broomsticks was no exception. Christmassy wreaths adorned wall sconces and the lantern chandeliers that hung amongst the beams of the deep vaulted ceilings. There was a Christmas feast option on the menu, as well as classic British pub food.

We tried the beef Sunday roast, a Shepherd's pie, and fish and chips, which was pretty good considering it was theme park food (though all very expensive). The atmosphere was bustling and warm, and there was the ever-present magical background music for that cosy Three Broomsticks pub feeling.

13. Best View Of Hogwarts Castle And The Black Lake

Behind the Three Broomsticks is another open area for eating or sitting down if it is too crowded inside. The best part about this is the view. We looked out across the Black Lake. The water dark and ominous, made it easy to imagine the giant squid lurking below.

14. Get A Photo With Sirius Black’s Wanted Poster

The poster from back when Sirius Black was a wanted criminal. Though at the time no one knew it, Sirius Black was wrongfully imprisoned and framed for crimes he did not commit. He mysteriously escaped Azkaban and was being hunted in both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Outside the Three Broomsticks you can’t miss the lively poster of Sirius Black from his convict days.

15. Meet Some Owls

We met some friendly owl trainers and their magical live owls. I don’t think you get this in the US Wizarding Worlds, so this is not to be missed. Up close owls are a bit scary. Their enormous eyes stare into your soul and they don’t really look like they want to deliver your letters. But you can meet these beautiful birds up close and get photos.

16. Try On Robes

When in Hogsmeade, you need to get yourself some Hogwarts robes. Whether you are going to Hogwarts or not, have some handy, just in case you get that letter one day. I tried on a nice set of Ravenclaw robes. They were loose, flowing and very comfortable. They feature large billowing sleeves, a stylish hood and a secret internal pocket to store your wand.

17. Moaning Myrtle

After drinking all that Butterbeer and Gillywater, you might need to use the bathroom. You may not be surprised to find the bathrooms are haunted by none other than Moaning Myrtle. I was thrilled to discover this and the fact that Moaning Myrtle was Japanese. Her high-pitched whining and moaning echoed through the toilet blocks and it is hilarious.

18. Look For The Small Details

Everywhere you go there are tiny details that make everything more magical. Watch the teacups dancing in storefront windows. Look up outside the Owl Post and see the old beams in the ceiling, covered in owl poo and sleeping owls. Watch the Monster Book of Monsters in Dervish and Banges, you never know when it will come to life. Look up, there are countless things to spot in the ceilings of shops. Everywhere you go there are amazing details that bring the Wizarding World to life.

19. Get Drinks At The Hogshead pub

After checking out the rest of Universal Studios, we returned to Hogsmeade at dusk. Exhausted from a long day of wandering, we made our way back to the Three Broomsticks, which also contains the Hogshead pub. We ordered beers and found ourselves a cosy corner to hang out. Groups gathered around tables drinking and chatting, many of them dressed in full Hogwarts robes. Next to us a group of young witches in Slytherin and Hufflepuff robes settled themselves next to the fire, comparing their purchases and drinking Butterbeer.

The darkened atmosphere, and the fact that it was warm inside and about to snow outside, made it easy to imagine we were in the real Hogsmeade village

20. Stay To See Hogwarts After Dark

Christmas lights began twinkling and shop windows became illuminated with magic. The crowds had died down and most of the children had gone, leaving the cobbled streets free to roam. Hogwarts Castle lit up, as did the huge Christmas tree that seemed to have a few magic tricks of its own. We took the chance to visit all the interactive wand sites and master the magic, which was even more fun after having a few beers.

Hogsmeade took on a whole new vibe as we roamed the quiet streets in the chilly night air. This is the best time of day to feel the true Hogsmeade ambiance.

I hope you enjoyed this list! There are so many more things to discover at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at USJ and I hope this inspires you to take a trip there yourself :)

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Recommendations for Harry Potter Books

If you haven’t read these amazing illustrated versions of the Harry Potter books you should check them out! They are my absolute favourite books and they are filled with wonderful art by the talented artist Jim Kay.