The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios, Osaka Japan is probably the most anticipated highlight of our Osaka-Kyoto trip. I grew up loving the Harry Potter books and movies and going to an actual theme park dedicated to it is just freaking mind blowing.Our acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry came in the form of a Universal Studio Pass.It was the most tiring yet rewarding marathon of our lives. After we passed thru the ticket turnstile, we sprinted towards WWHOP not minding the other parts of Universal Studios for the mean time and purely concentrating to outrun other tourists going to Hogsmead. It was like an apocalypse, dementors were everywhere and the safest place we should be going is Hogwarts Castle.Disclaimer: text and photo heavy post.This is Universal City Walk where in there are several shops lined up before one enters Universal Studios Osaka Japan. We knew it was going to be a long day so we got ourselves some big breakfast to power us up for the rest of our USJ staySlowly making our way into the park.TIP: Visitors can actually bring in food and water inside because the park staff does not even bother to check bags. If you really want to go cheap, just buy food from convenience stores and bring it inside the park.Obligatory tourist photo. Wait, where is everybody?Oh, they are already lining up to get inside the park. It was still actually too early but the crowd has gone crazy thick by this time. Note that WWHOP is beside the Jaws attraction. People were having a hard time locating WWHOP because the entrance was a bit off and secluded.TIP: make WWHOP a priority when in USJ. Allot 3-4 hours at least to maximize the Harry Potter feels.Ford Anglia wreckage by Whomping Willow before the entrance. There was a treelined path towards Hogsmead which by the way, wass fantastically executed, and as we continue to run, we heard a matching theme background music coming from hidden speakers to make all our senses tingle more with amusement. We also saw the Stonehenge or the Sundial Garden seen in 2 Harry Potter films (sorry, forgot to take photos because I was too busy running)TIP: Take photos when you are on your way out of WWHOP. That way, you are already done with the rides and touring. Wait time usually takes 60-90 minutes so make falling in line to get on the rides a PRIORITY .The archway into Hogsmead is the only sign you are no longer in Universal Studios, no longer in Osaka, no longer in Japan but in an encompassing world of witchcraft and wizardry.Timed Ticket. Due to the amount of crowd going in WWHOP, the park staff will decide to close off the place forcing the late comers/remainder tourists to queue for timed tickets which they can use to enter later in the day. Note that this is FREE! Timed Tickets has designated schedule on the tickets to let the people enter in a controlled manner.However, once you are inside, there is no time limit as to how long you want to stay in WWHOP.TIP: You can enter Wizarding World of Harry Potter without a Timed Ticket. You can definitely make the Timed Ticket unecessary just by going crazy early to the park. Be in front of the entrance line like what we did. I kid you not. We were part of the first batch to enjoy the park. This is not rocket science. If you know you are going to a theme park, any theme park for that matter, you should be extra early. Devote an hour and a half before the operation hours starts.The Hogwarts Express is the train service used by witches and wizards arriving in Hogsmead. Spot the train master. This place actually allows visitors to take a photo inside the train. We didn't try this because we know it will cost us a fortune.Unfortunately, platform 9 ¾ cannot be found here though. If you are a certified Harry Potter fan, you would know because it is located in King's Cross Station, London.TIP: Take photos from this side of the train to avoid photobomber muggles.After Hogwarts Express was Hogsmead but we will leave that for later. We continued to walk towards the Hogwarts castle because why not. We cannot take our eyes off Hogwarts Castle which is perfectly perched on a huge cliff in a distance. It is all sorts of amazing and perfect. It's beauty is so unreal.The Black Lake separates WWHOP in Osaka from its Orlando, Florida counterpart. of course, castle reflection photos. Well, as the name implies, the lake appears really huge, deep and yes, very dark.We then reached a full stop in front of the Hogwarts castle, not really having any idea what was actually happening before the huge amount of crowd. When the group of people suddenly started to move towards the entrance of the castle, we knew we were in for the best treat of the day. It was a walking castle tour. We saw everything Harry Potter related like holograms of Harry, Ron and Hermione, the sorting hat, moving portraits and a whole lot more. Crowd, crowd and more crowd.The details of this castle is epic. Well actually, everything is high quality! My jaw literally dropped.Look at that statue! I can't wait to go inside the castle and ride the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is one of the best rides and main attraction in USJ. We then went inside the castle and left our stuff inside the locker area. Too bad I wasn't able to take any decent photos since I hid my stuff in the locker and I only got my crappy Samsung Galaxy S2 that time.Waiting in line was not even that boring. We took our time enjoying the walking tour since we walked up a dimly lit stairs with talking portraits, we passed by some classrooms, Gryffindor's common room and even Dumbledore's office.The sign you are about to begin the ride is when you see the Sorting Hat. The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride will let you join Harry Potter while he goes on his broomstick. Everything was in Japanese but who cares? Amazingly, I was all smiles all through out when the ride was on. I kept the good mood with me for the whole day, actually. It is 4K cinematic and theatrical experience so expect everything to be almost real. Definitely an indescribable out of body experience.After the ride, you will be ushered to the souvenir shop. Take your time here because you might not be able to get inside other shops due to the long queue.This place is either making serious bank or just plainly executing some day light robbery. Everything was too darn expensive! This is capitalism at its finest.Staff will not stop visitors from trying out merchandise such as robes, scarves, hats and other stuff. They even help out in filming and taking photos of you while trying everything and not buying anything.There were only 2 rides in WWHOP and the next to try would be The Flight of the Hippogriff. This is a children's roller coaster so do not expect anything extreme.One will see Hagrid's Hut while waiting in line. It almost felt like we were there to visit Hagrid. We enjoyed waiting in line by taking selfies and surfing the internet with our Pupuru pocket mobile. Click this for the full review.Pumpkins harvested from the near by pumpkin patch.View of Hagrid's Hut from the other side. That is the motorcycle Hagrid borrowed from Sirius Black. This hut is definitely roomier than Harry's cupboard under the stairs.We were lucky to have spotted the Frog Choir perform in all English glory. Thank God, It is something we can full understand and identify since almost everything here in USJ is in Japanese.The Frog Choir usually performs at the Great Hall so what are they doing here outside?These guys performed Something Wicked This Way Comes during the Welcoming Feast after the Sorting ceremony.The choir is accompanied by, well, croaking toads.All smiles while performing in front of everybody.Hi, sir! You are indeed looking good in that robe.After we watched the enchanting performance of the Frog Choir, we went on and explored the rest of Hogsmead.The establishments were topped with a puff of snow which seemed very appropriate since we came to Osaka during winter time. It isn't real snow but a really good paint job.Hogsmead in the afternoon was very crowded and almost all the shops would require visitors to fall in line to control the people coming in.We skipped on all of the shops because we thought there were much more better things to do.Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke shop shared the same space so if you are really eager to go to Honeydukes, you can see Zonko's too in one go.Honeydukes sells sweets and other exclusive items such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, which you cannot buy on other souvenir stores of USJ.Look at the details of putting in an aged glass, old window pane and appropriate brick red paint.Madame Puddifoot's Tea & Cakes shop has some pretty inviting window display.Anyone up for a tea party?Although I wasn't able to experience it personally, I read somewhere that some visitors heard Moaning Myrtle in the washrooms which I think is genius.Hogsmead is indeed a tourist trap. Be careful not to get lost.If you want to buy some wizarding tools and go hunting for the Death-Eaters, it'd be best to go to Wiseacres Wizarding EquipmentI need this in my room now. A time turner chandelier!The place was packed to the ceiling with boxes of wands.Moving poster promoting Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. You have been warned.There is a theatrical performance in Ollivander's where in he chooses a lucky audience to try a wand. You can buy everything from the movies here in the shops available in Hogsmead. I was actually thinking of buying a wand but I don't think it is very practical since I really cannot use it to cast a spell. Instead, I bought a Gryffindor jacket and a Time Turner keychain (not photographed). The only turn off I had was when there was an option to upgrade the shopping bag. I mean, why do I need to buy a paper bag with handles on it? Aren't they supposed to be including it to the purchase for free?Would you believe that even Three Broomstic
