One of the things I love most about Tokyo is that, no matter how many times you visit, there’s always something new and fun to discover. On a particularly rainy day in June during our most recent trip to Japan, we found ourselves looking for an indoor activity, so we decided to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.
Despite numerous trips to Tokyo, we hadn’t yet explored the magic behind the scenes of The Making of Harry Potter (it only opened in 2023, after all). And without giving too much away just yet – magical really is the word for it.
Read on for everything you need to know about the Harry Potter Studio Tour experience in Japan, along with my honest thoughts on whether it’s worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.
Getting There
While it’s a little further out from Tokyo’s main hustle and bustle, getting to the studio is surprisingly easy. It’s a straightforward subway ride, followed by a short walk from Toshimaen Station.
We caught the Oedo Line from our hotel in Shinjuku in the morning (30 minutes). On the way back, we took the Ikebukuro Line, as our dinner plans involved a bowl of spicy miso ramen at Kikanbo in Ikebukuro (it’s only 15 minutes to Ikebukuro Station).
A fun bonus? The Ikebukuro Line has Harry Potter-themed carriages, which was a very unexpected surprise.
Tip: If you’re coming from the east side of Tokyo (near Tokyo Station, or further afield from Asakusa), allow for 45 – 60 minutes of travel time.
Tickets
Visiting mid-week in June 2025, we were able to buy our tickets on Klook the night before – a refreshing change from many other attractions in Japan, which often require booking weeks in advance.
There were still several time slots available at the time. That said, if you’re visiting during peak season or on a weekend, I’d recommend booking at least a few days ahead to secure your preferred entry time.
Check tour times and availability here
You can get up to 10% off Japan tours and attractions on Klook using my discount code TESSOMEWHEREKLOOK
Adult tickets cost 6,700 yen and include an allocated start time for your tour. We chose the 10:30 am slot, but arrived around 10 am to explore the Food Hall and browse the souvenir store beforehand. Honestly, we could have arrived even earlier and still had plenty to see.
What to Expect
Arrival
I felt the excitement building from the moment we approached the venue, spotting the distinctive Harry Potter sign peeking through towering, Forbidden Forest-esque trees framing the entrance. The front gardens are dotted with fun statues, and we were already stopping for photos before the tour had even begun.
Our QR code tickets from Klook were scanned at the entrance gates – and just like that, we were in. Inside, we were immediately greeted by a huge dragon (possibly the Hungarian Horntail from The Goblet of Fire) hanging overhead in the lobby.
While your ticket is tied to a specific entry time for the tour, we arrived a little earlier to explore. There’s a Great Hall-themed food hall and the Studio Tour shop to browse before your session begins.
Gift Shop
Honestly, you could easily spend an hour wandering through every nook and cranny of the gift shop.
The level of detail is next-level – from the stacked wand wall, to towering displays of wizarding confectionery (think Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs), to the snake jutting out of the wall in the Slytherin section.
Of course, you can also pick up your house robes to wear throughout the tour.
I found this a far more enjoyable browsing experience than the smaller, often crowded gift shops at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Osaka’s USJ – there’s more space, and a wider range of items too.
Dining Options
There are two main dining options: the Food Hall, located near the lobby before the tour begins, and the Backlot Café, situated about halfway through the Studio Tour.
Both serve predominantly Western-style food, with prices typical of theme parks. There are also plenty of novelty items to try, including Fizzy Pumpkin Juice, the ever-popular Butterbeer, and even Hagrid’s infamous “Happee Birthdae Harry” cake. Having tried Butterbeer at USJ on a previous trip, we decided to skip it this time.
Pictured below is a sample menu from both venues – just note that there may be limited-time items available. During our visit, for example, there was a special Goblet of Fire exhibit, along with themed menu items to match.
Studio Tour
After grabbing a snack from the café in the Food Hall, eating beneath the banners of my favourite house (Ravenclaw), and browsing the gift shop, it was time to make our way to the Studio Tour for our timed entry. Following a short introductory film, the grand doors of the Great Hall swing open – and just like that, the tour begins.
From here, you’re free to explore at your own pace through the vast 90,000 square metres.
And from the moment you step into the impeccably recreated Great Hall, it genuinely feels like you’ve walked straight onto the movie set.
From the moving staircase to the dusty corners of the Potions classroom, the dark, cavernous Forbidden Forest, and the quirky storefronts of Diagon Alley – the level of detail is extraordinary. It’s an impressive tribute to the films and is completely immersive.
As a long-time Harry Potter fan, I genuinely got goosebumps wandering through the impressive recreations that lived in my mind for a lot of my childhood after reading the series at an early age.
There’s also a great mix of interactive exhibits, including the Floo Network, moving staircases, a Quidditch green screen experience and a virtual broomstick ride. You can scan a QR code to download videos from these (the broomstick one has an extra fee to purchase the photos and videos).
Alongside these are original props and costumes from the films (my personal highlight was Hermione’s Yule Ball dress), plus plenty of behind-the-scenes insights – like the fact that seven different owls were used to portray Hedwig.
After making your way through the eerie indoor Forbidden Forest, you step back out into the sunshine in the outdoor section of the studio. This area is home to Hagrid’s Hut, the iconic purple Knight Bus, the Backlot Café, and a Butterbeer bar.
The tour then continues indoors, where you’ll find an impressive recreation of Platform 9¾, complete with a life-sized Hogwarts Express. From there, you’re led into the Ministry of Magic set – with its interactive Floo Network fireplaces – before wandering through the quirky, haphazard, crooked buildings in the Diagon Alley replica.
And then, they save one of the best for last: a full Hogwarts castle model. It delivers a serious WOW factor, and leaves you with a real sense of wonder – and appreciation for the creativity, craftsmanship, and sheer scale behind the wizarding world brought to life on screen. A wonderful way to finish a truly captivating experience.
How Long Do You Need?
Plan to spend at least half a day here, around 3-4 hours minimum. If you take part in the interactive experiences and stop for a meal, it could easily stretch to 5-6 hours.
And don’t forget to factor in time before or after your session to browse the (very tempting) gift shop.
Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?
Without a doubt, yes!
Even if you’re not the biggest Harry Potter fan, it’s an incredibly immersive experience that transports you into another world. It’s not just about walking through sets, but understanding how the films were brought to life – from props and costumes to visual effects and animatronics.
The sheer scale of the studio is impressive, which means it never feels overly crowded. I loved being able to explore at our own pace, take hundreds of photos, and the Studio Shop is an experience in itself. Even the dining options stand out, thanks to the brilliant recreation of the Great Hall (albeit at typical higher theme park prices).
If time allows, I’d highly recommend adding it to your Tokyo itinerary. It’s a fantastic way to spend half a day and, in my opinion, offers great value for money. With a mix of interactive and engaging exhibits, it’s a spellbinding experience that genuinely suits all ages and will leave you feeling a magical buzz long after you finish the tour.
Check out my other Japan and Tokyo guides to make the most of your time in Japan: