A new 30,000-square-metre Harry Potter attraction is coming to Tokyo. In early June it was reported that the Toshimaen theme park could be set to make way for a new attraction. Warner Bros. Studio Tours and Warner Bros. Japan have now signed a deal to bring the popular tourist attraction, ‘The Making of Harry Potter’, to Japan. The attraction will be only the second of its kind in the world.
The studio tour offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movies, based on the best-selling books by author J.K. Rowling. The attraction will include recreations of famous film sets, such as the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, and Diagon Alley. There will also be original props from the film series on site, along with original costumes.
In addition to Harry Potter, the Tokyo attraction will also cover the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ spin-off films. The half-day tour will take guests through the facility and the exhibition space’s ‘Sound Stage’ and ‘Backlot’ areas.
Warner Bros. has teamed up with Itochu Corporation, one of the largest general trading companies in Japan and the majority owner of Family Mart, to bring the new attraction to life. “The Studio Tour Tokyo will be the second facility of its kind in the world, after London, and will offer a new type of experiential entertainment in Japan,” said a statement from Itochu Corporation. Since opening in 2012, the London attraction has welcomed over 14 million visitors.
The park making way for the new attraction, the Toshimaen Amusement Park, first opened in 1926, and was one of the largest amusement parks in Tokyo, with over 30 rides and attractions. The remaining section of the former amusement park will be repurposed as a large public park, and evacuation site.
Would-be wizards will have to hold on to their hats for now, as the Tokyo park isn’t set to open until 2023.
