I was super excited to find that Universal Studio Japan in Osaka (or USJ for short) was part of our Osaka itinerary and that we will be spending The Whole Dayย inside USJ. Yay!

I have been to both Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) and Universal Studios Singapore (USS) before but thatโ€™s no reason not to be exited aboutย Universal Studios Japan. USJ has attractions that Singaporeย doesnโ€™t; an important one beingย the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Actually, itโ€™s probably bestย that youโ€™ve already visited another Universal Studios because USJ is so huge, itโ€™s impossible to visit all the attractions in one day. To be honest, I doubt it is doable in 2 days. So you really have to plan your visit.

Hogwarts Express

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a themed area inย Universal Studio Japan based on the Harry Potter series. While Iโ€™m not a Harry Potter geek, I have all the books, seen all the movies and will make effort to see the play in the future. So it was very magical for me to walk into Hogsmeade.ย It took me back to when I read Harry Potter for the first time, quite literally.

 

Hogsmeade Wizard Village

Walking through the quaint village of Hogsmeade, you see familiar shops named Zonkos Joke Shop, Honey Dukes, Hogโ€™s Head Pub selling Butter Beer!

And of course, thereโ€™s Ollivanders Wand Shop where you can get magical wands! You can actually get magical wands! There are 2 types of wands: souvenir wands (no magic) and magic wands (I know). With the Magic Wand, you get a map that shows you where magic spells can be performed.

Magic Wand Map

I didnโ€™t have time to figure out the trick behind it, but I did have time to cast a Cistem Apero spell. Ha ha ha! ย Would loveย more time to discoverย all the small details on this wizard village, to but we were on a mission!

 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

We quickly made our way to the newest attraction in town, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in 4k3D. What it means is, itโ€™s the greatest theme park attractionย in the world today today! ย I remember being blown away by the Mystique Manor in Disneyland Hong Kong because of the 4D experience, but that was sitting on a spinning chair and watching a magic show.

But with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you becameย one of the student wizard flying around the sky above Hogwarts. Itโ€™s a semi-roller coaster ride and you get toย experience the thrill and excitement of playingย Quidditchย with Harry Potter and almost catching the Golden Snitch!

Harry Potter USJ

 

Hogswarts Castle

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attractionย is located inside this real life Hogwarts Castle. While waiting in line for the ride, you walk through the creepy corridor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Youโ€™ll pass through the Professor Dumbledoreโ€™s office, Gryffindor common room, Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and see the moving and talking portraits hanging on the wall.

Hogwarts Castle View From Three Broomsticks Inn

 

3ย Broom Sticks for Lunch

Still in the Wizarding village, we ate our lunch at the Three Broomsticks Inn. This restaurant has indoor and outdoor sitting. Outdoor gives you a stunningย view of Hogwarts Castle with its reflection on the lake. We ordered the Halloween special, a plateful of goodies to share with 4 of your friends. We paired our food with Butter Beer and Gilly Water.

 

Halloween at Universal Studio Japan

There are already so many attractions in Universal Studio Japan and yet if you visitsย during the Halloween season (now until end of October 2016), youโ€™ll experience many added attractions the comprise the Horror Night. ย You wonโ€™t find this bonus attractions on the USJ website, but let me give you preview:

 

The Exorcist

The Exorcist is oneย of Hollywoodโ€™s most famous horror film series. Itโ€™s story of a teenage girl possessed by an evil spirit and whose mother seek the help of a priest to help exorcist. You walked in as a group arranged in line and expect the scariest walk through maze. It was also really funny because we scream like crazy and pull each other as we go through the different section of the house.

The Exorcist Walking Tour

 

Tatari Doll House

Only in USJ, the Tatari attraction is also a walk through maze of a make believe ghost village of porcelain dolls. You walk in as a group where you will be met with crazy characters who scream, cry, as they led you out of the maze. Itโ€™s suspenseful that may cause you to pee in your pants, but hopefully you take a time to admire the beautiful dolls on loan from a temple in Japan.

tatari horror house

 

Street Zombies

Iโ€™m not a zombie fan, but I love this added attraction in Universal Studios Japan for Halloween!

At the strike of 6 in the evening, the whole USJ floor turns into zombie apocalypseย scene! Zombies just kept coming out from different corners of the streets. Itโ€™s a scary and thrilling experience! You know itโ€™s not realย but when they start to walk towards you, you canโ€™t help butย retreat screaming. They donโ€™t touch you, so donโ€™t worry. And donโ€™t punch or push them. Haha.

 

J-Horror

Walk through a seriesย of torii and the zombies are replaced with Walking Dead Japanese style. Theyโ€™re kind of funny rather than scary.

 

Harry Potter and the Death Eater

By night time, I was quite tired running away from ghosts and zombies, but we must not miss on final act. That is to experience the horror of Hogsmeade being taken over by the Death Eaters at night fall.
harry-potter-death-eaters