The Making of Harry Potter - Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo — Attraction in Tokyo

Feels like a tourist trap.

No, not the tour. I'm talking about the broom - green screen experience. Instead of sharing good things many people told you here, I'll focus on explaining a bad one. This box is too small to describe it all but bear with me for an honest review.

At the time of my visit.. All photo/video experience had been a free service you can use with no limitations, just queue back or leave to continue the tour. FREE Experience: automatically uploaded to your account if you registered (and only if) you scan before each experience. PAID Experience: added to your account AFTER you paid for it, they gave you a separate QR Code (a physical little card) as a temporary storage. Skip this review if you don't mind spending all those money whatever the photo/video result is. If you still care what you paid for, take it as a reminder.

I'm a moderate spender; I spend for what I think is worth the price and this photo package offers are not it. It's a steal (for them :)

They put this PAID experience near the end of the tour before showing SFX. A queue that includes the prisoner photo, broom photos and video. I managed to get it done (somehow took much more time than the FREE ones). Wondering about the result and how to collect it, I was led to a counter (didn't know it's for payment). I saw the result (review on last paragraph), there's a one-page menu, 3 packages on the left (Gold Package highlighted, Platinum package more expensive, Bronze package) offering different combo of what you get, addons for the packages on top-right, and cheap options on bottom-right of the menu. Confused, I asked with simple english, "which one is free?", "oh no free", "all pay?", "yes". Huh, why suddenly it's not free? I asked about the cheap one, "this is digital only?", at this point language barrier issue was real, I wish I used my broken japanese here instead of letting the staff used broken english (WB Studio please employ REAL ENGLISH SPEAKERS, you let those language skills deliver message to customers?). The staff struggled to explain, I thought it's digital only and for physical photos I need to pay for the packages, I was wrong. I asked, "This (pointing at the packages) all include this digital (pointing at the cheap option)?", "yes". I only want the prisoner photo but can't get 1 only, so I chose gold package, thinking at least I also get a physical memory to take home. Nothing. The gold package (they clearly want you to choose) is all digital. Then what were the other options back then?? really confusing. It's paid, no turning back, paid for something I don't want - a tourist trap allowed by the OFFICIAL Tour itself.

I shared my story to a friend (who know it's a trap), learned that there's a sign of PAID experience, guess what, didn't notice. Pretty sure many didn't, I saw them just join the queue for the experience JUST LIKE BEFORE. Putting this at the end after all the FREE stuffs, they KNEW what they're doing. No camera in this area? No problem, I respect it. But they FAILED to INFORM us it's a PAID one.

Let me tell you. Experience it all, but if you ever be OFFERED to PAY for it, SKIP IT and GET OUT OF THE PAYMENT QUEUE. Whether to think it over, to continue walking and never go back to the cashier, your call. REMEMBER that you can still return to the cashier, use the QR Code to redeem the result. You gave the QR to the cashier already? Get it back, let yourself have MINDFUL TIME, then ask yourself DO YOU WANT IT? or just TRY TO APPRECIATE the experience, or did you FEEL LIKE THE ONLY OPTION is to PAY? If you LIKE IT, go ahead, ask the cashier to show you the result again & decide. NO? then SKIP IT and CONTINUE THE TRIP, no need for magical TRAP.

Honestly, I think 5500 yen for 5 photos (crop your image, that's it), 1 broom video (crop your image, drag it on the video) and 1 prisoner photo is a scam. It's like paying for the free experiences but not directly, or maybe price +5500 is the original price they want to charge separately? I don't know. Such a poor strategy that stained the magical...

Visiting the making of Harry Potter of Tokyo is an enchanting experience that transports you into the magical world created by J.K. Rowling. As you step through the doors of the studio, a wave of nostalgia washes over you, igniting the excitement of reliving your favorite moments from the series. The atmosphere is electric, and you can almost hear the whispers of spells and the laughter of young wizards echoing through the halls.

The first thing that hits you is the breathtaking attention to detail. As you wander through the meticulously recreated sets, from the iconic Great Hall with its floating candles to the cozy, cluttered Gryffindor common room, you can't help but feel as if you've stepped right into the pages of the books. The vibrant colors, intricate props, and stunning costumes make every corner a feast for the eyes. You can practically hear the clinking of goblets and the chatter of students as you stand in the heart of Hogwarts.

As you explore, interactive exhibits invite you to dive deeper into the filmmaking process. You find yourself captivated by behind-the-scenes footage, learning about the incredible artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the magical effects, from the spellbinding wand movements to the stunning visual effects that brought mythical creatures to life. The passionate stories shared by the filmmakers and actors add an emotional depth to the experience, making you appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into bringing this beloved world to life.

And let’s not forget the cafeteria, which is a magical experience in itself. The aroma of delicious food wafts through the air, beckoning you to indulge. Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, buttery Cornish pasty or savoring a hearty bowl of pumpkin soup, all while sipping on a refreshing butterbeer that froths delightfully in your cup. The rich flavors and comforting dishes perfectly complement the enchanting atmosphere, making every bite feel like a treat from the Hogwarts feast.

As you sit down to enjoy your meal, you can’t help but share your excitement with fellow fans around you, exchanging stories and favorite moments from the series. The camaraderie in the air is palpable, making it feel as though you’re part of a grand celebration of magic and friendship.

This experience is not just a visit; it’s an emotional journey that rekindles the love for the Harry Potter series while allowing you to marvel at the incredible craftsmanship behind the films. It is a place where dreams come alive, and every detail, from the sets to the food, contributes to the magic.

I wholeheartedly recommend the making of Harry Potter experience. It is truly worth every single penny spent. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who simply enjoys good storytelling, this magical adventure will leave you with memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. It’s an experience that transcends age, bringing out the child in all of us and reminding us of the power of imagination. So grab your wand and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the world...

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with this experience—part of me assumed it would be similar to Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with ride lines and packed attractions. Instead, what we got was something entirely different: an immersive, museum-style fantasy tour focused on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series.

The setup is beautifully done, with intricate exhibits showcasing the artistry and behind-the-scenes magic of the films. We purchased our timed-entry tickets in advance and chose the earliest time slot of the day, which turned out to be a great decision. For ¥19,300 (~$134.41) for two people, we received:

Entry to the tour Two audio guides (which we found cumbersome and didn’t use) One souvenir guidebook 💡 Tip: The audio guides weren’t very practical—bulky, with cords and headphones that got in the way. If you’re touring solo, they might be helpful, but for a pair or group, you may enjoy the experience more without them.

The tour is self-guided and extremely photo-friendly—you can take pictures almost everywhere, with the exception of the green screen/broom flying photo-op area. If you want those fun flying photos or videos, you’ll pay for them at the counter after your session (packages start at ¥4,000/~$28).

Midway through the tour, you’ll find a cozy Butterbeer Café, a great spot to take a break. The entire walkthrough took us about 2.5 to 3 hours, and we only had to speed up after the halfway point to make it to another activity. The interactive exhibits, such as the Quidditch match and other green screen experiences, were smoothly managed, and we were able to enjoy them all with minimal wait time.

🛍️ Gift Shop Alert: The massive gift shop at the end is one of the most extensive and well-stocked theme gift stores I’ve ever seen. Multiple themed rooms with every kind of Harry Potter merchandise imaginable—you’ll want to budget time (and maybe money) for it.

We definitely worked up an appetite exploring the tour and ended up sampling quite a bit of food.

🧈 Butterbeer (Regular & Frozen) – Delicious! Both options were sweet and satisfying, and they come in a souvenir plastic cup for ¥1,250 (~$8.62). Bonus: there are sinks nearby to rinse them out after. 🍿 Popcorn – Skip this one. Despite the magical setting, the flavor was nothing special. 🥯 Niffler Bun – Adorable and totally edible. A whimsical touch we couldn’t resist. 🐟 Fish & Chips – Crispy and surprisingly good. 🍔 Burger – Decent, but nothing out of this world. 🍮 Butterbeer Pudding – Fun, tasty, and perfectly themed. 🍨 Orange & Purple Ice Cream – It’s a sorbet, and unless you’re a sorbet fan, it might not be for you. The main food hall near the entrance is beautifully themed and offers a wide range of sweets and savory items. While prices are slightly higher, you’re definitely paying for the immersive experience as much as the food quality—and overall, we felt it...