Inside the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know!
Attention, Potterheads! If you’re a Harry Potter fan like me, you will absolutely adore touring Warner Bros. Studio: The Making of Harry Potter in Tokyo!
After Universal Studios Japan, this is the next-best immersive experience in the magical Wizarding World.
Located in Nerima, about a 40-minute metro ride from central Tokyo, this self-paced, walk-through studio reveals the magic behind the scenes required to make all eight Harry Potter films come to life on screen (and in our hearts 🥹).
My partner and I booked last-minute admission tickets on our recent trip to Tokyo, and we can’t believe we almost skipped this because it was INCREDIBLE.
With original sets, real props (I mean… we saw the ACTUAL Goblet of Fire?!), plus hilarious interactive experiences, this tour is not to miss if you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan.
Actually, let me correct myself—even if you’re not that into Harry Potter, you will still be amazed at the amount of art, creativity, and ingenious mastery that went into the films!
(I mean, it has an actual-size Ministry of Magic, which even the original London Warner Bros. Studio Tour doesn’t have!). It also features everything that went into making the Fantastic Beasts films.
In my guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit to Tokyo’s Warner Bros. Studio Tour, from how to get tickets to what to expect inside the tour, plus a few secret insider tips to make your visit magical! ✨
PS—what’s your Hogwarts house? Let me know in the comments! I’ll give you a hint for mine: 🐦⬛ with 🦁 tendencies—hehe!
Your Guide to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo
Please note that this is not a theme park with rides, unlike Universal Studios Japan’s Wizarding World!
Instead, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter offers an immersive, interactive walk-through with very cool and detailed recreations of sets, costumes, and special effects.
I warn you… This tour is not for the faint of heart!
It took us five (let me repeat for emphasis) FIVE hours to get through everything—and we could’ve lingered longer.
You will be on your feet for many hours, reading and learning and being awe-struck by the amount of detail and magic in, well, everything. No, seriously—the detail goes right down to the 10,000+ potion labels (all handmade, even if not ever shown on set!).
Your wallet is also at risk with the most gorgeous merch shops and cafes. Don’t ask me how I know…
But if that sounds right up your Diagon Alley, grab your wand (or comfy shoes) and prepare to be spellbound—because this tour is as enchanting as a trip through the Room of Requirement! 😂
Okay, here’s a quick glance at what you need to know:
- Tickets: Costs $35 USD per person — Book now to secure timeslots in advance
- Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Last Admission: The last tour entry starts at 6:00 PM sharp (this is to allow enough time to complete the experience and exit by 10:00 PM). We started at the 5:00–5:30 window.
- Duration: Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours here—it’s enormous!
- Audio guides are available at an extra cost (we opted out—there’s enough to read and see already, but I did get FOMO a bit as I couldn’t understand our Japanese guide).
⚡️ Additional timeslots (if your desired timeslot isn’t available) cost $45. It’s best to select your time in advance. I enjoyed going at the end of the day as there were less crowds!
Luckily, the beautiful Backlot Café is located midway through the studio. Here, you can sit down for a classic British-style Hogwarts house-inspired menu.
We decided to have a somewhat late dinner here, but it didn’t disappoint! I ordered Slytherin’s “Bangers & Mash” and a Butterbeer to swish it all down, and Paul got Gryffindor’s roast beef. Both were yummy and well-portioned!
But let me not get distracted; next, let’s chat about getting there, the tour’s highlights, and what to expect (without spilling too many secrets..!).
How to Get to Warner Bros. Studio Tokyo By Train
The Warner Bros. Studio tour is in north Tokyo, beyond Shinjuku, in Toshimaen, a district in Nerima City.
The easiest way to get there is to type “Warner Bros. Studio” into your Google Maps and let it offer a metro/subway route from your current location.
The nearest metro stop is called Toshimaen Station.
You can take the Tokyo Metro lines from anywhere in Tokyo and then transfer to the Seibu line from Ikebukuro or continue on the Toei Oedo line (depending on your route).
In either case, you can just tap in/out with your IC card (the Apple Wallet/Watch digital version works, too) for the whole route.
We took the red Marunouchi Line from the Nihonbashi / Ginza area and then the pink Toei Oedo Line, which cost around ¥330.
After exiting the station, the studio is just a 2-3 minute walk!
Thanks to the train being such an easy (and cheap) option, there’s really no need to get a bus or taxi.
Harry Potter Tour Highlights, Sets, Interactive Experiences, & More
First, prepare to be amazed! As you enter, you’ll go through security screening and then enter a spacious room.
A life-like Hungarian Horntail may or may not soar over you as the Harry Potter soundtrack fills the air…
You can enter the building up to an hour before your tour starts, which might be a good idea if you want to browse and eat at the Frog Café or the Great Hall.
Tip: I recommend waiting to shop for merch (even though it’s tempting!) until after you exit the tour (you will exit through the merch store anyway).
There’s so much to see once you begin the walk-through.
Fortunately, it’s not overwhelming, as the experience slowly guides you in a one-way direction.
Feel free to break away from the tour guide to read/observe and experience the sights, props, costumes, and exhibits at your own pace!
You’ll start with an exciting introduction/welcome video by the Japanese voice actor of Harry Potter, after which you’ll open the grand doors to The Great Hall!
Next, as you go through the tour, you are free to go at your own pace.
Here’s what to expect once inside:
Explore iconic sets: The Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Platform 9¾, and more. You can even get face-to-face with Aragog inside the Forbidden Forest…
Interactive exhibits: Try flying on a broomstick with a green screen, jump inside a Hogwarts moveable portrait, and cheer on your team in a Quidditch match.
Behind-the-scenes filmmaking secrets: Learn how the magic was made with sound design, lighting, props, sketching, animatronics, special effects, and more!
Authentic costumes & props: See the actual items used in the films!
Butterbeer & Backlot Café: Enjoy the famous wizarding drink! Just so you know, this location only serves cold butterbeer (not frozen or hot).
Shops & Exclusive Harry Potter Merch
No Harry Potter experience is complete without souvenirs!
The studio shop is massive and even has Tokyo-exclusive merch like Hedwig’s Wand.
There’s also your classic House-themed attire, including robes, scarves, and more. These aren’t exclusive to Tokyo; about a week later, I found them in the NYC HP store.
Still, there is a lot of variety here compared to other Harry Potter stores, even more than at Universal Studios Japan!
There are also entire rooms just for candy and Harry Potter jewelry, which I thought was pretty cool. For example, there are chocolate frog earrings, Horcrux necklaces, and more.
Best Time to Visit & How Long to Stay
The Harry Potter Studio Tour is open year-round and can be visited at any time, although holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s will attract more crowds.
For a section of the tour, you will go outside to see the life-size chessboard, Hogwarts covered bridge, Privet Drive, and the Knight Bus.
Other than those locations, the tour is mostly inside!
There will be fewer crowds on weekdays, but if you go on a weekend, try to snag one of the first OR last tour times.
Since we went in mid-winter, we chose one of the last tour times and found that the crowds empty out by the end of the night, giving us more flexibility and freedom to linger to take photos, get a quick meal at the cafe, and take our time in the merch shop before exiting.
Remember, this tour takes an average of 3-4 hours. We spent 5+ hours here and left at closing time (10:00 p.m.).
A few final tips to make the most of your time:
- Book tickets in advance, as popular timeslots sell out
- No same-day sales at the entrance
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early to check-in and go through security
- Audio guides are optional (for a fee)
- Your phone camera is all you need!
- Luggage lockers are available and located outside the building
- Large bags aren’t allowed inside (pack light)
Ultimately, the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo is a must-do experience.
Even if you’ve watched the films a few dozen times, stepping inside the behind-the-scenes will make you re-experience the magic all over again.
🪄 Book your tickets now to save your timeslot! 🦉
If you have any questions or wish to share your experience, let me know in the comments below!
