All information about the USJ Harry Potter area
This article has all the information you need to enjoy “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in USJ.
The paper-based studio guide is no longer distributed at USJ.
You can’t find any directing visitors to the Harry Potter area in the USJ.
Please check out this page to see the location of attractions and shops.
Don’t forget to bookmark (favorite) this page on your smartphone for checking it anytime.
※The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- 1. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- 2. Ride Attractions of the Harry Potter Area
- 3. Show Attractions of the Harry Potter Area
- 4. Restaurants and take-out food at Harry Potter area
- 5. Experience being a wizard, and use magic with the wand
- 6. Area Timed Entry Tickets and Advance Booked tickets
- 7. Where can I buy Harry Potter souvenirs?
- 8. What is the difference to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo?
- 9. Trivia and Rumors of Harry Potter Area
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The “Wizarding World of Harry Potter" (commonly known as the Harry Potter Area) is a magnificent area that reproduces the world of movies and original Harry Potter stories at Universal Studios Japan.
I, the chief editor of Happiel, who is active in TV programs as a USJ maniac, will provide you information and tips about attractions, shows, restaurants, and shops you can enjoy in this area.
The explanation video of the Harry Potter area is only in Japanese, but I think you can feel the ambience.
*Source USJ Official Homepage Harry Potter Area
Harry Potter area map
The Harry Potter area is a simple design that takes you straight along the main street from Hogsmeade Village to Hogwarts Castle. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about getting lost.
There are also side streets such as alleys and paths, and you will discover various things in such places.
The places surrounded by a big red circle are the entrances of the attraction.
1: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
2: Flight of the Hippogriff
3: Ollivanders
There are 8 stores in total.
Takeout foods can be found nearby the Ollivanders.
Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express will welcome you! This is the train which Harry and his friends used in the movie from London (King’s Cross Station) to Hogsmeade Station (the nearest station from Hogwarts) .
You can use magic and make steam coming out.
It is also a popular spot where you can take photos with the conductor.
Hogwarts Castle
You can enter the REAL Hogwarts Castle. It is used as a place for the entrance of the attraction.
The castle can also be viewed from a variety of locations, including the Three Broomsticks Restaurant, Flight of the Hippogriff and other piers.
Ron’s car
Before entering Hogsmeade village, there is the “Flying Ford Anglia".
However, the car is crashing into a tree and never moves again.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron crashed into the Whomping Willow, damaging their car, and ran into the woods.
It is one of the popular photo spots.
Ghost Myrtle in the Restroom
There are two restrooms in the Harry Potter area, and in both, the Moaning Myrtle appears.
We as muggles can’t see Myrtle, but we can hear his voice clearly.
By the way, in the movie, he only appeared in the women’s restroom in Hogwarts Castle, but in the Harry Potter area, you can hear it even in the men’s restroom.
Owlery
Owlery is an important method of communication in the world of Harry Potter.
You will find many Owls in the area.
You can see an owl hooting every 15 minutes at the clock tower.
But don’t miss it! He will hide away soon.
Ride Attractions of the Harry Potter Area
The Harry Potter area has 2 ride attractions and 1 show attraction.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This is the most popular attraction in the Harry Potter area.
Experience the realistic Hogwarts castle and surrounding buildings, Dementors, dragons and snakes!
Fly around the Quidditch venue with high-definition movies!
Flying around with Harry as if you were a Quidditch player,you will be attacked by Dementors, just like in the movie.
The ride is a four-seater ride.
It rotates in various directions, so if you are weak to motion sickness, you should take medicine to prevent them.
Those who are too severe of them, you should avoid riding.
You can walk inside Hogwarts Castle before boarding your ride.
Go around various locations from the film, including Professor Dumbledore’s room and living portraits.
Please see the next article for details and highlights of attractions.
forbiddenjourney
Flight of the Hippogriff
There is a famous scene of Malfoy being attacked by Hagrid’s hippogriff (named Buckdeak)
Hippogriff has the features of both griffons and horses.
It is the legendary creature born between them; the front half is an eagle, the back half is a horse.
Just as Harry flew on his back, guests can enjoy air travel with the hippogriff.
Hagrid’s house is in the queue for the attraction.
Guests from overseas often enjoy taking photos here.
Show Attractions of the Harry Potter Area
There is one stage in Hogsmeade village.
Various shows are held at this location, one after another.
Since events are scheduled often, you can enjoy the show at the front line without waiting.
Triwizard Spirit Rally
Triwizard Spirit Rally is a performance by students from two schools: Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. The students visited Hogwarts in the Three Wizarding Schools competition in the movie.
You can enjoy the strength and graceful performance.
Triwizard Spirit Rally, Frog Choir
Duration of the show: about 10 minutes
Frog Choir
In this show, students sing famous songs with frogs.
Duration of the show: about 10 minutes
Wand studies
This is the show where you can see the magic school students, how they practice magic together.
From February 14, 2023: Suspended for the time being.
Duration of the show: about 10 minutes
Magical Creatures Encounter
At this show, a hippogriff appears on the stage.
You can see the scene of bowing first and showing respect.
This show is available for a limited period: until December 31, 2023.
Greetings are available with Nifflers, Baby Dragons and Pygmy Puffs at other shows too.
Restaurants and take-out food at Harry Potter area
There is one restaurant in the Harry Potter area.
The Three Broomsticks Restaurant
It is the Three Broomsticks Restaurant that also appeared in the movie.
The atmosphere inside the store is a little bit dark.
You can see Hogwarts Castle from the terrace seats.
If the weather is good, it would be nice to eat there♪
Here are the mens and prices of the Three Broomstick Restaurant.
(As of May 2023)
If you’re going with 4 adults (or if it’s only women, from 5), I recommend the menu: The Great Feast. It is a great value for money.
Butterbeer
Butterbeer is popular for the scene where Hermione wears a beard with foam.
Although it has the name Beer, actually it’s not real beer, so children are able to drink it.
You can buy them at the Three Broomsticks Restaurant or in a dedicated outdoor shop.
Three Broomstick Restaurant
Witch pot sweets
Take-out food
There is one take-out food shop in the Harry Potter area,
In the past, there was a time when churros were sold.
Menu changes a lot, so you can enjoy it every time.
Experience being a wizard, and use magic with the wand
Use the magic wand! Use various magic such as: fire, snow, wind, water, object levitation, and unlocking doors.
Buy a wand
Wands can be purchased at the shop Ollivanders.
Normally you can buy it at the shop, but you can also buy it after enjoying it as an attraction.
In the latter case, the wand-chosen person has a magical experience, and after that,
you will have the right to purchase a wand kept in a special box.
The price is the same whether you buy it normally or in a special box.
However, for attractions, only one person who enters the store with several people and is selected by Mr. Ollivander (keeper of the wand) can purchase.
Dressing up as a student of a magic school can increase your chances of being selected MAYBE, but it all depends on your luck.
8 places to use magic
In the area, there are 8 places where spells are drawn on the floor. Go to those places!
Only people with wands can stand in line.
The spells are written in English, so you don’t have to worry about not knowing what to say.
Use magic
Move the wand while spelling out.
The way to move the wand is different for each spell, but it’s written where you use the spell. There won’t be a problem at all.
In some places, a wizard teacher will teach you the correct spells and swings of the wand.
If you have great success, the magic is firmly activated. But if it’s not perfect, the result of magic would be slightly different.
Trivia and Rumors of Harry Potter Area
I have summarized interesting knowledge of the Harry Potter area.
How much is the total construction cost?
Total cost was 45 billion yen.
By the way, Super Nintendo World cost 60 billion yen.
In contrast, the construction cost of the Tokyo Skytree is said to be 40 billion yen.
Which movie series is the Harry Potter area based on?
These are based on the 1st to 4th Harry Potter movies.
Part 1: Philosopher’s Stone
Release date: December 2001
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ollivanders Wand Shop, Hogwarts Express, Quidditch, Invisibility Cloak
Chess and Every Flavor Beans are also sold as goods.
Part 2: Chamber of Secrets
Release date: November 2002
Ron’s car, Dobby, and the underground doorway for Nagini the Viper
Part 3: Prisoner of Azkaban
Release date: June 2004
Hogsmeade Village, Butterbeer
Hippogriff, pumpkin patch around Hagrid’s house,
Dementor, Spell of Expecto Patronum
Part 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Release date: November 2005
Triwizard Spirit Rally (Triwizard Tournament),
Pensieve
Trivia/Tips
If you want to know more information, check out this article.
Currently, only Japanese is supported. Please use the auto-translation.
FAQ
Is it possible to enjoy it even if I don’t understand Japanese?
The show in the Harry Potter area has many visitors from overseas, so your question is considered well.
After speaking the words in Japanese, they speak the same content in English.
Also, some of the crew (USJ staff, set as residents of the magical world) can speak English and other languages.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is speaked by a Japanese actor.
There is no explanation in English, but if you already know the movie of Harry Potter, the contents are easy to understand.
Can children and pregnant woman enjoy walk alone?
I think you can enjoy the Harry Potter World, even if you are just walking around.
Also, I think that even small children and pregnant women can enjoy the magical experience.
There are also stage shows, so you can fully enjoy it even if you don’t ride the attractions.
How can I enter the Super Nintendo World?
You cannot go directly from the Harry Potter area, even if it looks very near on the Map.
To enter the Super Nintendo World, you would have to leave the Harry Potter area once.
Pass through the Amity Village (where Jaws is located) , then you will get to the entrance.
It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk.
How does the Wand be chosen at Olivanders?
We never know the reasons since we are Muggles, the Wizard only knows why.
Is it related to birthdays and names, or not?
Ask that to the Wand.
However, when I read the episode about the wand written in Ollivanders wand shop, I feel that it is that wand that suits me. Strange isn’t it?
How long is it the best to stay in the Harry Potter area?
The longer you wait for an attraction, the longer you stay.
If you didn’t have to wait at all using the Express Pass, you could enjoy the attractions and shows in about 1 hour and half.
If you eat lunch, it will take another hour.
I think the average stay is about 2-3 hours.
If you repeat all the experiences with the Wand Magic, you can enjoy more than half a day.
What is the recommended time to wait?
The waiting time for attractions tends to be shorter after 18:00 to 19:00.
Regarding The Forbidden Journey, since it is an attraction inside, the experience doesn’t differ either day or night. I recommend going there in the evenings, the waiting time is shorter.
Wand magic (magic experience) may be more likely to be successful in the evening or at night. (This is a personal opinion!)
The stage show is held only in the daytime.
Please note that the Ollivanders Wand attraction may close early at night.
It’s not busy from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, so it’s one idea to go first in the morning.
Appeared on TV Asahi’s TV Asahi program Gachigo Rise as “the real people who quit their jobs to support USJ"! I will introduce the fun points that are unique to the Gachi group called Gachi points. Appearing on TV Tokyo Dekamori Hunter, providing information and comments on Mainichi Broadcasting “Seyanen", cooperating and appearing in Disney movies on TV Asahi’s music program, etc. Recently, opportunities to cooperate in the production of TV programs have increased. I’m here.
Hapiel Co., Ltd. Representative Director
Theme Park Media He also serves as editor-in-chief of Hapier. I have been going to USJ for about 22 years since it first opened. USJ fan crystal rank certified. Recently, I go there about 40 times a year. We are doing strategies and congestion forecasts to enjoy short wait times for attractions. I have been going to Disneyland for 25 years.