SnitchSeeker staffer sweetpinkpixie and her family got the chance to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan this week, where she also attended the opening ceremonies. Katherine wrote up a review of the Monday afternoon media preview of the attraction in Osaka, where she even spotted Tom Felton having a bit of lunch at The Three Broomsticks.

On July 14, after the three and a half hour shinkansen ride from Tokyo, my family (consisting of myself, my husband, and our 1-year-old son) arrived at Shin-Osaka station ready to embark on a magic filled day. After getting off the train, we began to head for our first of a series of transfer trains that would take us to Universal Studios Japan station. It didn’t take long for the advertising for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to begin popping up all over.

First were some large posters in on the walls and pillars of the stations. Then there were hanging posters inside the trains. By far the best was the train we rode on the Ōsaka Loop Line to JR Universal City Station. Starting February 1st of last year, trains on this line have had the entire outside of them covered in Wizarding World of Harry Potter promotional art, which you can see here. I spoke with a few high school students on the train, and they said that they get excited every time they see the trains. One of the girls even went so far as to give the image of Harry Potter on the train a kiss on the cheek.

Once we were off the train at JR Universal City Station, we made our way towards Universal Studios Japan in the sweltering heat and humidity that is the Japanese summer. Along with standard posters, "Hedwig’s Theme" was playing on a continual loop as we made your way to the park. At the main entrance, hanging banners of the Golden Trio lined the walkway and a giant Wizarding World of Harry Potter sign hung just below the Universal Studios logo. Throw in seeing Hogwarts castle in the distance and we could literally feel the excitement from the crowds heading into the park.

We got our press passes around 1 pm and headed into Universal Studios Japan. As we walked down the walkway to the main entrance lined with trees, my son literally took off at a toddler sprint when he heard the honking of the Ford Anglia nestled between some of the trees. Had to pry him away from it, much to his displeasure, and we eventually made it to the actual entrance.

Now, people who know me know that I get easily moved to tears by things - such as the opening numbers to musicals - and the moment I saw the archway and hanging sign of Hogsmeade was no different. I was 13 when the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was first printed in the United States and essentially grew up alongside the characters of J.K. Rowling’s world, so stepping into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time that day was literally like stepping back in time into my imagination and my childhood.

Needless to say, I was awestruck and let go of my son’s hand as I just stared and marveled at the detail work. Meanwhile, my son had caught sight of the Hogwarts Express immediately in front of us and had taken off at a run towards it with his squeaky shoes. He was greeted by the conductor of the Hogwarts Express who tilted his hat towards the 1-year-old and in a chipper voice said, “Hello there. Welcome to Hogsmeade! Hogsmeade he yokoso!” My son clapped and beamed up at the man.

We next made our way into Honeydukes and I honestly couldn’t tell you which of the three of us was more excited. My son ran towards the pumpkin juice, thankfully with bottles made from plastic, and my husband went right for the chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Honeydukes and Zonkos Joke Shop shared a building, and after we did our fair share of shopping at Honeydukes we went into the Zonko's side of things. My son, again, took off at an eager toddler sprint right for the pygmy puffs and selected a large pink one that he then carried around. Evanna Lynch posted pictures on her Facebook of herself with these oversized plushies and says they make great pillows.

Next stop was Dervish and Banges where I finally fulfilled my dream of owning Gryffindor robes, my husband went gaga over the Nimbus Two Thousands, and my son was mesmerized by The Monster Book of Monsters that sprung to life if you got too close to it. It actually terrified him when he first got too close, but thankfully one of the store clerks came by and explained to him that the book could not get out of its cage.

After that, well, he enjoyed taunting the book by getting close to it so it would bark and growl and then run away from it laughing. Dervish and Bangs was connected to the Owl Post Office and Gladrags Wizardwear (which did sell some VERY colorful socks, but would not scream when they got too smelly - I asked), so we checked those out as well ... and left with our own Hedwig stuffed animal that can turn its head 360 degrees and hoots. My son then carried the stuffed owl around in his arms for the rest of the day.

We headed over to the Hog’s Head pub, located right next to The Three Broomsticks where Tom Felton was having a late lunch, and got ourselves complimentary Butterbeer. I really only got about two good sips from my glass before my son drank the rest of it. He even got himself the signature ‘Butterbeer mustache’ that is used as an advertising point with the beverage. Japanese media refer to it as ‘that cute moment of love between Hermione and Ron.’

My husband, on the other hand, refused to share his Butterbeer with anyone because it was ‘too delicious’ and said he could drink it all day. The Great Feast platter at the Three Broomsticks, also complimentary that day, was also delicious and made even better by the surroundings.

We stopped by Ollivander's Wand Shop and Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment briefly, but had to be shooed out because a major network was about to do some filming, so we headed out the door which just so happened to give us a view of the Black Lake and Hogwarts. Yep, you guessed it, I got all teary eyed again and my son patted my head as if to tell me it was okay. Even J.K. Rowling said that the image of Hogwarts reflected in the Black Lake was something that she would take away from her visit to the park.

I took a ride on the Flight of the Hippogriff, a fun little rollercoaster just outside of Hogwarts castle, before we headed inside for an exclusive peek at the interior of Hogwarts. We saw Dumbledore's office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor common room and the Room of Requirement, but the real highlight that the park wanted press to focus on was the Portrait Gallery.

The portraits of the four founders moved about their frames and spoke to one another, which definitely caught my son’s attention, but what was odd for me was hearing their voices in Japanese. Although, to be entirely honest, I was far more focused on taking it all in to really pay much attention to their voices.

While seeing the books and film come to life right before my eyes was enough to make me a very happy Potterhead for the rest of my life, riding Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey put me over the edge. I soon forgot my initial squirminess with Hermione Granger giving instructions in Japanese, because this ride was just incredible from start to finish. SMAP, a popular Japanese pop group and ambassadors to Universal Studios, described the ride as “feeling like you are flying” and they are right.

While they were speechless, really only able to use such words as ‘amazing’ to describe their experience on the ride, I am the same. There are just no words and I rode it a few more times, trading places watching our son with my husband, before the preview hours for the ride closed. When I asked my husband to explain his experience on the ride, all he could say was ‘WOW!’.

A sudden downpour somewhat ruined the rest of the afternoon (not to worry, the park sells umbrellas in Gryffindor colors which I am now the proud owner of), but that didn’t stop the Frog Choir from doing their performance - all while holding large black umbrellas. A very kind Hufflepuff student, whose favorite subject was Care of Magical Creatures, allowed my son to pet his frog after the performance before they were whisked away back inside Hogwarts castle.

We went back to the Hog’s Head pub at my husband’s request, grabbed another Butterbeer for the road (which I again had to share with my son), and then headed out of the park so that I could get ready for the Grand Opening Eve Celebration.

Stay tuned.

allucha

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