25 Aug 2020
Warner Bros. to open Harry Potter studio attraction in Japan
BY Tom Walker
Warner Bros. has revealed plans to develop a Harry Potter studio tour attraction in Japanese capital Tokyo.
To be located on the grounds of the Toshimaen Amusement Park in the city's Nerima ward, the attraction will become the second Harry Potter studio site, following the opening of the inaugural Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, UK.
Since its launch in 2012, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter has welcomed more than 14 million visitors
Set to open in the first half of 2023, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter will form part of The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's (TMG) plans to develop a new public park on the grounds of Toshimaen Amusement Park.
The historic Toshimaen park – owned by the Seibu Group – first opened in 1926 and is scheduled to close at the end of August 2020.
The new Harry Potter attraction will be developed in partnership between Warner Bros. Studio Tours – which operates the London site – Warner Bros. Japan, Seibu Railway Co, Itochu Corporation and Fuyo General Lease.
The parties will work in cooperation with TGM on the plans.
Spread across 30,000sq m, Studio Tour Tokyo is set to offer a new type of experiential entertainment for Japan.
Like its counterpart in the UK, the indoor attraction will take visitors on a behind the scenes tour of the Wizarding World series and enable visitors to deepen their knowledge of the Harry Potter universe.
Visitors can also explore a number of the iconic movie sets used in the blockbuster movies. Showcasing original costumes and props, the visitors can experience scenes from the films firsthand and discover how the world's favorite book series was brought to life on the screen.
The exhibition space within the “sound stage” and “backlot” (outdoor filming area) zones will take approximately half a day to walk through.
"Toshimaen is the perfect environment for this attraction," said Warner Bros. chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff.
"It is important to us that the local community is involved in the development process and we are looking forward to creating something very special."
Seibu Railway CEO Kimio Kitamura added: "We shall work in close co-operation with our partners on the construction of Studio Tour Tokyo for its scheduled opening in the first half of 2023.
"We will also work with Warner Bros. Japan and the Seibu Group companies to consider various promotional plans, which will include renovation of the Toshimaen rail station, so as to further attract people to the areas surrounding the Seibu Railway lines, and thereby offer further value."
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