From Harry’s Sorting Ceremony to the Yule Ball and Battle of Hogwarts, the Great Hall plays a pivotal role in the life of all Hogwarts students. The inspiration for the design came from a 16th century hall in Oxford, England at one of the University’s most famous colleges, Christ Church. Visitors to the Studio Tour are invited to step through the grand doors into the iconic set and discover the details up close. Lining the hall, you will find grotesques in the shape of a snake, badger, lion and raven to represent the four Hogwarts houses as well as the House Points Counter that tracks the progress of each house using coloured glass beads.
Hidden from Muggles at King’s Cross Station in London, Platform 9 ¾ was one of Harry’s first experiences of the Wizarding World. During production, many of the scenes were shot on location at the busy train station in the centre of London. However, a section of the platform was created on-set for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and any scenes inside the train were shot on a special interior carriage set complete with green screen windows. Fans are invited to step onto Platform 9 ¾ and board the Hogwarts Express.
Strictly off-limits for Hogwarts students, you are invited to break the rules and explore the depths of the Forbidden Forest. Home to magical creatures and dark secrets, the set was designed to appear like a normal forest from the outside, becoming more intimidating and magical the further you travel. The forest seen on screens continued to grow with each film with scenic artists creating backdrops that were up to 180m long for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Venturing through the forest, you will recognise key moments from the films including Hagrid’s first Care of Magical Creatures class with Buckbeak. You will have the chance to test your magic by casting a Patronus and battling with Dementors before coming face-to-face with Aragog in his lair.
Exclusive to Tokyo, fans are invited to step into the full-size London Ministry of Magic set for the first time ever.
To commute to the Ministry of Magic, staff would travel in via telephone, lavatory, or the Floo Network using one of the enormous fireplaces, each standing at over three metres tall. Visitors to the Studio Tour are invited to step into one of these fireplaces, just like a Ministry of Magic employee, and pose for photos and videos as smoke and lighting effects mimic the magical effect of Floo powder all around them.
Diagon Alley, the bustling shopping street, is an essential stop for young witches and wizards preparing to return to Hogwarts. From collecting their Galleons at Gringotts Wizarding Bank to choosing their beloved animal companion at Magical Menagerie, the street houses everything a Hogwarts student needs. Stepping on to Diagon Alley, fans will discover up close the details of this magical set for themselves.
Diagon Alley was initially created for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, then repeatedly adapted for subsequent films. Walls shifted, shop fronts were moved, and entire buildings were carefully tweaked, angled ever-so-slightly to the left or right.
