Harry Potter theme park opens in Tokyo

Harry Potter fans in Tokyo can now immerse themselves in his wizarding world with the opening of a 90,000-square-meter theme park on Friday. It is the second such facility in the world, following one in London.

Visitors can see costumes from the movie series and explore sets recreating famous scenes, including the magical moving staircases.

Staircases at the park move just as they do in the movies.

Actor Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the films, attended an opening ceremony on Friday morning.

Tom Felton and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko are among the guests at the opening ceremony.

Potter park creates a local buzz

Fans spoke of their excitement about the new attraction.

A 21-year-old woman and her mother say they've been enjoying the film for a decade. They say they plan to visit many times and hope to find new things each time.

A man from Nagoya says he has wanted to visit the studio in London, but it's so far. He says he hadn't imagined he could experience it in Tokyo, so he is excited.

Seibu Railway has renovated a station near the park, using motifs from the movies. Signage and pillars are designed to resemble Hogsmeade, the station depicted in the films. A Potter train and a white owl are periodically projected onto the station's windows.

Visitors can travel to the park in a train covered with pictures of the movies' characters.

Goto Takashi, the chairman of Seibu Holdings, says he hopes the domestic and international tourists that visit the park also get a chance to appreciate the charm of the surrounding areas.

Some local shops have put up decorations relating to the films, and restaurants are now offering magic-themed menus.

A new tourist-draw for Tokyo

Japan's inbound tourism numbers are currently hovering at just below 70 percent of the pre-pandemic level. Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko, who was at the opening ceremony on Friday, says the city is prepared for more domestic and foreign tourists now.