A Magical Journey: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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It was July of 2014 when Potterheads raved about the opening of the Wizarding World in Universal Studios Japan. I was one of those giddy fans who dreamed of visiting Osaka right away.



And just recently, the dream came true.
The rain and the fact that I was alone didn’t stop me from visiting Hogsmeade village.



Note: Timed entry tickets are issued for the Wizarding World. There is a limit to the number of Timed Entry Tickets available for each entry period. You must go to the ‘Numbered Ticket Booth’ located in Central Park with your valid Studio Pass. From there, you can have your Timed Ticket issued at the machine.





 Upon entering, the Hogwarts Express is already a remarkable scene. You can have your picture taken beside the train. And if you’re lucky enough, you might just have a selfie with the driver.


 




 Visitors flocked the shops along Hogsmeade. There’s the famous Honeydukes where treats like ‘Chocolate Frogs’ and ‘Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavoured Beans' are available on hand. 


You can't leave Hogwarts without trying these sweet treats
If you have a strong penchant for stationaries and writing tools, the ‘Owl Post & Owlery’ is the right shop for you. The owl stuff toys are also too fluffy and seemingly hard to resist.

 




The Weasley twins’ turf, ‘Zonko’s Joke Shop’ is also open for unique novelty items.







And of course the small dusty shop, ‘Ollivander’s’. You can choose from an array of wands including Hermione Granger’s wand, the one with the dragon heartstring core.
  



The Hogwarts Castle remains the most majestic view in the fortress. For a brief moment, I felt like I was a ten-year old kid reading my first Potter book.

 


Inside the castle is a magical adventure called “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”. It’s a 4D attraction where you will experience playing Quidditch and exchanging spells with Voldemort.



There’s also a semi-roller coaster ride, the “Flight of the Hippogriff”.




Perhaps the highlight of my stay in Hogwarts is the sweet ‘Butterbeer’. For Y600 or $4, I was able to enjoy the most popular drink in the Wizarding world!



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