Opened in June 2023, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is a massive, immersive entertainment facility dedicated to showcasing the behind-the-scenes world of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series. It is the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world and the first of its kind in Asia. Unlike a traditional theme park with rides, the Studio Tour is a walk-through exhibition that allows visitors to step onto authentic sets, see original costumes and props, and discover the remarkable artistry and technology that brought the Wizarding World to life on screen.

Name and Address

• Name: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
• Address: 1-1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima Ward, Tokyo, 179-0074, Japan. The tour was built on the former site of the historic Toshimaen amusement park.

How to Get There

The Studio Tour is easily accessible via Tokyo’s efficient public transport system, with stations specially themed for the experience.

• By Train: This is the most convenient and recommended method.
  • Seibu Toshima Line: Take the train from Ikebukuro Station (which has been redesigned to evoke London’s King’s Cross) to Toshimaen Station. The station itself has been renovated to resemble Hogsmeade Station from the films. The tour entrance is a 2-minute walk from the station.
  • Toei Oedo Line: Take the subway to Toshimaen Station. The entrance is about a 5-minute walk from Exit A2.
• Visitor Tip: Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific date and time slot; they are not sold at the door. It is recommended to book well in advance, especially for weekends and holidays. The tour itself is self-guided and takes at least four hours to experience fully.

Landscape and Architecture

The “landscape” is a meticulously crafted indoor world, designed to transport visitors directly into the films.

• Facility Design: The tour is housed in a massive, 30,000-square-meter facility. The experience is designed as a one-way, walk-through journey that takes visitors through a sequence of soundstages filled with authentic, large-scale sets.
• Authentic Sets: The sets are the main architectural features. They were designed and built by many of the original crew members who worked on the Harry Potter films. Visitors can walk through iconic locations built to scale, including:
  • The Great Hall: The grand dining hall of Hogwarts, featuring intricate details, original costumes of professors, and the House Point Counter.
  • Diagon Alley: The bustling wizarding shopping street, complete with storefronts for Ollivanders, Flourish and Blotts, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
  • Platform 9 ¾ and the Hogwarts Express: Visitors can board the actual carriage of the iconic steam train used in the films.
  • The Ministry of Magic: An enormous, full-size set that is exclusive to the Tokyo tour. Visitors can even experience traveling via the Floo Network in the giant fireplaces.
• Backlot: Midway through the tour, there is an outdoor “Backlot” area where visitors can see exterior sets like the Dursleys’ house on Privet Drive, the Knight Bus, and the Hogwarts Bridge.

What Makes It Famous

The Studio Tour Tokyo is famous for its scale, authenticity, and immersive, behind-the-scenes experiences.

• Largest Harry Potter Attraction: It is the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world, offering an unparalleled depth of content.
• Authenticity: The tour features thousands of actual props and costumes that were used in the production of the films, offering a direct connection to the movie-making process.
• Exclusive Ministry of Magic Set: The full-scale Ministry of Magic atrium is a major draw, as this massive set cannot be seen at the London Studio Tour.
• Interactive Experiences: Beyond viewing sets, visitors can participate in green-screen experiences, such as riding a broomstick over London, becoming a moving portrait in the Hogwarts grand staircase, or joining the crowd at a Quidditch match.
• Wizarding World Food and Shopping: The tour features the world’s largest Harry Potter shop and several themed restaurants and cafes, including the Frog Cafe and the Backlot Cafe, where visitors can enjoy a meal and the famous Butterbeer.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Studio Tour offers a unique experience that sets it apart from both traditional theme parks and digital art museums.

• Behind-the-Scenes vs. In-Universe Experience: Unlike a theme park like Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is designed to make you feel like you are in the magical world, the Studio Tour is about showing you how that world was created. The focus is on filmmaking, craftsmanship, and behind-the-scenes secrets, not on rides or role-playing.
• Physical Sets vs. Digital Art: The experience is rooted in tangible, physical artistry—hand-crafted sets, real costumes, and intricate props. This contrasts sharply with the purely digital, ephemeral world of teamLab Borderless, where the artworks are made of light and code.
• A Walk-Through Exhibition, Not a Ride Park: The tour is a self-guided exhibition. There are no roller coasters or thrill rides. The engagement comes from exploration, discovery, and interactive photo and video opportunities, making it a different kind of entertainment from a traditional theme park.
• Narrative Focus: The entire experience is built around the narrative of the Harry Potter films. This deep dive into a single, beloved story is different from a traditional museum that might cover a broader historical period or artistic movement.