One of the biggest highlights from my 2018 Japan trip with my dear cousins was our day at the Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. I love theme parks but I extra love this one because of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Growing up in the 2000's, Harry Potter and his world has been a very big part of my childhood, teenage, and until now life! So this is literally stepping into a dream world for me and my cousins as well.
Me in front of the Hogwarts Castle
It was a very amazing experience for me. We started with the Hogwarts castle ride which I enjoyed so much despite the dialogues of the characters were all in Japanese. I was so lucky that my house scarf is still sold on the old design rather than the new one which I did not like. This trip to Japan was the beginning of my realization that there is no need to buy a lot of souvenirs from a trip, just one or two good ones are enough so I did save my pocket cash for this moment because I really want a scarf.
"Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil!"
When I finally have hold of the scarf I just can't keep it away, well who cares right? I'm at Hogsmeade! (the village located beside the Hogwarts castle). To non-Potterhead readers, the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry has four houses. Gryffindor, the most famous one where Harry Potter and his friends are from, Slytherin, the antagonist house who favors pure-bloods. Ravenclaw houses the smart ones and then you have Hufflepuff, my house, who takes the lot. Much has been said about how inferior Hufflepuff is but I really associate myself with the traits of just, loyal, and hard-working which probably is the reason why I took about a hundred quizzes online and about 80% sorted me to the Yellow house.
The Weasley's Family Car at the Forbidden Forest
As you enter the park from a long stretch of Pine trees that line up which is supposed to be the Forbidden Forest with remnants of the Weasley's Car, you will be welcomed by the arch to Hogsmeade's Village. Then on your left as you enter, you find the Hogwarts express that is supposed to take you to Hogwarts from the Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London.
A photo with the Hogwarts Express Conductor. A big and friendly guy!
Real shops line up the village just like how it is on the movies, one of which is Olivander's where Harry and Hogwarts students mostly get their wands (they also sell wands out there of course for a fortune HAHA) But what one wonderful thing about the theme park is that the Characters on the park are all British/European yet they can speak very fluent Japanese, part of the requirements of the park for sure!
A poor lit photo of me and my cousins at Olivander's
Inside Gladrags Wizardwear, the salespeople are just extremely kind where they let us try out the cloaks even if we don't intend to buy them. Of course I did not miss my chance to have a photo of me taken with the Hufflepuff cloak. It felt so good to wear it like I was really part of the cast!
My "official" photo at Hogwarts.
Never Stop the Magic!
Stevenson
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That looks fun!!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is Lydia! Thank you so much for joining Timeless Thursdays :)
DeleteGreat photos :-D But gotta confess never read any of the books or seen any of the films! I don't know much about Harry Potter - just the most famous stuff I guess!
ReplyDeleteIn the second photo, you are so deep in thought - great picture and the conductor looks very very tall.
Oh! Thank you so so much! Oh my, it would be a dream for me to visit London and see the spots from the movie or even the ideas where the places are from.
DeleteOh thank you so much ahhaha I was acting like I was thinking and you are right! The conductor is super tall and huggable!
The Hogwarts Castle is pretty impressive. Looks like you had a grand time visiting. What a great photo with the tall conductor. Enjoy your week, Stevenson.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much dear friend Bill! I am glad you like it and I had a taste of what Europe looks like a year before I finally visited Europe :) Have an awesome week Bill!
Delete...at first I tht that you were in England! Thanks for hosting my friend.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much Tom! It was magical! I really felt like I was somewhere in England on the movies!
DeleteBoa noite meu querido amigo. Espero um dia uma matéria especial e bonita como essa aqui no Brasil. Um grande abraço meu amigo.
ReplyDeleteMuito obrigado meu amigo carioca Luiz! Grande Abrao!
DeleteDearest Stevenson,
ReplyDeleteTo me it looks rather odd for kind of treasuring such a theme park above the valuable art, culture and history of Japan... This is import and only for commercial reasons as most of the young(er) generations have been groomed into loving this.
Not for me but hope you enjoyed it!
Our best friend and Colonel would always say during our trips together, at the end of the day: 'And what did we learn today?'... Guess that really counts!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
DeleteI really did enjoy it so much, just as much as I enjoyed visiting the UNESCO sites of Kyoto and Osaka and knowing more about their ancient culture. I do not see any harm on visiting and enjoying Harry Potter no matter where it is at because popular culture does not know any country in this new generation so I myself don't find it that odd to be amazed by this park at all, actually, I am thankful for Japan and Universal Studios for building a Harry Potter park in Japan because not everyone has the ability or means to go to England if we talk about cultural origins so they made a way for Asian fans like me to be able to experience the magic of the world that is just a part of our childhood imaginations :)
And I love the question what did we learn today. I guess the learning on that day was that it's best to know what makes you happy and what enriches your inner joy when you go on trips because at the end of the day, it's why you travel :)
Dearest Stevenson,
DeleteYou sure are entitled to your own opinion but I just gave mine and that's because I'm born a few years earlier.
Still feeling grateful for not being raised with such kind of entertainment that seems to take over your entire way of thinking... There must be a lot of deprived children on this earth!
Hugs,
Mariette
What a lot of fun. I like your 'formal' photo with cape :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear Margaret! I am so glad that you like it because I love that one so much as well :)
DeleteI didn't know there was a UNiversal Studios in Japan, but it looks like fun. I've been to the one in Florida but in was before Harry Potter opened. You like quite nice in your Hogwarts gown. Did you have a butterbeer? Hope all is well. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteOh I sure did have a taste of Butterbeer! It was a bit pricey but my cousin gave me a sip from her mug HAHAHA It was so delicious! Oh thank you so much! I wanted a Hogwarts gown but it was so pricey so a big thanks to the ladies at the shop for letting me try it :)
DeleteI think I'd enjoy that park very much! Especially seeing it with friends and enjoying the fun!
ReplyDeleteYou sure will dearest Jeanie! I think the shops would look familiar to you as you have already been to England :)
DeleteDearest Stevenson, I have to admit I neither read any of the books nor saw a movie, but it makes me happy to see you so happy. And lost in memories, you all look so happy! And the scenery is impressive, too!
ReplyDeleteI would probably like to visit sets of "Supernatural", but rather at daytime, LOL...
Dearest Iris! I would so love to watch Supernatural too and I've been waiting for it to be on Netflix Philippines! I hope very soon! You are right, we had a very grand time which we still often talk about when we get together haha :)
DeleteIt´s not on Netflix (yet)?!!! The series started 2005!
DeleteWe don´t have Netflix as... surprise... we would get everything translated to German! All the original jokes/dialogues gone with that! Fingers crossed it´s soon, it´s really creepy at times!
Wow, now I have two little Brothers, that sure makes up for one big one (what I always wanted as kid but these days it doesn´t matter anymore, right)! Hugs from here :-)
Ohhhh I remember what you said dearest Iris about everything translated into German even audio and I agree with you that the best way to learn another language, especially English is through watching movies in English language. Oh I like creepy stuff from time to time :)
DeleteAwww that is just so sweet! Sending you hugs back dearest Iris!!!
My husband and I read all the Harry Potter booms one winter, then we watched all the movies, which were different in many areas, of course. What fun we would have had in that theme park. However, it’s unlikely that we will go to the US version in FL. The scarf looked lime a treasured souvenir for sure, Stevenson.
DeleteLove this. When the Harry Potter books came out, I read them aloud in the characters' voices to my son at night - yes, it took years! Great memories. When the movies came out, I would take him and he of course would be dressed as Harry.
ReplyDeleteOh Susie!!! You are like the coolest Mom!!! I am very sure that your son will treasure those memories and the bond that Harry Potter gave both of you, forever :) Ugh! I should have dressed as harry when I was younger while watching it haha and Thank you so so much for joining Timeless Thursdays dear Susie!
DeleteI never got into Harry Potter, but it's always nice to see die-hard fans living it up at a place like this. If you ever make to Oxford, make sure you get a chance to see the hall at Christ's College where part of Harry Potter was filmed. :)
ReplyDeleteYou got that right Becky! I literally was teary eyed when I got into the gates of "Hogsmeade Village". And thank you so so much for that tip I sure will add that to my list when someday I can afford to make a trip to England :) Oh and also the church in Austria that you featured, that was grand! Would love to visit that too someday :)
DeleteAwesome photos and great time you had ~
ReplyDeleteLive with love each moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you so much dearest Carol!
DeleteWhoops Stevenson, sorry but I entered my comment in the wrong place. I was reading and commenting while sitting in bed and not paying attention to where I was posting my comment 😕
ReplyDeleteOh! No worries Beatrice hahaha That happens to me too :) Senind you hugs and hope you enjoyed my trip to magicland :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful visit that must have been Stevenson - so glad it lived up to your expectations!
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Oh thank you so much Maxine! It was amazing! Hope someday I can see the Lord of the Rings locations in your beautiful country!
DeleteHello my friend. I checked with Google and I see that the virus cases in the Philippines are on a downward trajectory. I hope this is correct and that soon you can get out into your immediate location soon.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, i did enjoy reading of your exploits in Harry Potter heaven. Now if you had taken that train I could have met you at King's Cross Station, after my drive of 200 miles! Like the scarf - just the ticket for a cold winter's day in London.
Hello my friend Phil! Oh thank you so so much Phil that you enjoyed this trip of mine! Ugh! I should have rode it so I'd meet you up there in London! I really hope someday I can visit England and see the locations and also have a picture with the Royal guard with the iconic bearskin hat!
DeleteSending you hugs from the Philippines Phil! Keep warm this winter :)
'Never stop the magic' so important in todays strange times.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photographs and such great memories.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
Thank you so much Jan! We really should strive to create our own sparks and sprinkles to make life worthwhile despite a lot of things :)
DeleteSending you hugs!
I never got into Harry Potter, too much fantasy for me :), but great visit and memories Stevenson. I forgot to post this week, but my post which hopefully will post next week had a bookshop in Porto that has a link to Harry Potter too.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Sami I will be sure in tune to your next week's post! Would love to see anything related to the Potter world :)
DeleteWow such nice photoes Steve!I also first thought they were all from England!and then it is made in Japan so nice!!We love Harry Potter!My son is soo devoted to the series..Me I have always loved Snape even he looked evil (But he was not)lso love the photo with you and your cousins Beautiful young goodlooking people
ReplyDeleteWish you all good, stay happy!
Anita
That is so sweet Anita, mother and son Potter bonding! Oh I know what you mean, I cried while I was reading the seventh book on the chapter when he passed! That was so sad!
DeleteThank you so much dear Anita!
Great story about that unforgettable Stevenson trip, you accumulate a series of experiences and memories in your travels that gives you to write a book, Stevenson's Travels, will look great.
ReplyDeleteHappy week, buddy.
Best regards.
My dear friend José Antonio, your comment just made me smile and very happy. Thank you so much for that kind words. I always dreamed of writing a book someday, When I do, I'll remember you and this comment :) Stevenson's Travels sounds Amazing! Happy New week my friend!
DeleteDear Stevenson,
ReplyDeleteHave to abandon your blog as I'm constantly getting popup warnings about a threat via your lifetrafficfeed... My iMac stalled and is in repair and on my MacBook the same warning each time I'm on your blog... Sorry but don't need that!
Oh I am so sorry to hear that Mariette. I have to look into my blog then. I'll take that livetrafficfeed down. Please take care!
DeleteThanks for solving this Stevenson!
DeleteGreat fun trip with your relatives. The conductor and locomotive look very authentic. When I saw you in the cloak I thought you had gone on a spending spree after all. Then I read that you just "borrowed" it! Great photos and story. I'm way too old to have gotten into Harry Potter but my kids did. Well, I missed the link party once again. Need to correct my schedule as my reminder popped up for Tuesday at 12 Noon (USA EST). I think that Thursday at midnight US should have been the right time, so I hope to see you again soon!
ReplyDeleteBrother Kenneth! Thank you so much for your kind words and I was laughing loud when you send spending spree, oh I wish! But honestly even if I had the bucks, I won't buy that cloak because it's just too expensive hahaha I'll just have a tailor do it for me for an eight of the price HAHA
DeleteOh Kenneth I'm guilty also because I was late for a couple of hours when I posted it so it was like Thursday at 2Am when I posted it instead of 12 mn. So sorry about that but I'm very much looking forward to next week's linky and hope to see you there :) Yup! Thursday at midnight EST is perfect :)
So much fun.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was Regine! Thank you so much!
DeleteI didn't know there is such a place in Japan! Every fan of Harry Potter will be delighted. It must have been an amazing trip for you :)
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much Rodzina, it sure was amazing and very memorable! Something I would love to come back again soon in the future but hopefully I can also see other Harry Potter parks in the world :)
DeleteDamn Brother, You Have Inspired Me To Smile - Love That Shot In Front Of The Train With The Conductor - And That Second Shot, Outstanding - Stay Strong
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hello brother Padre! Thank you so much and I am happy that you smiled from this adventure I had! Oh I love that second shot too, it was drizzling when my niece took it for me :)
DeleteThat was fun! Neat park. One of our grandsons did not like reading until he got hooked on Harry Potter! I read them all too and loved them, even though I had grandchildren old enough to do so! When my husband and I were in London we found the gate for Train 9 1/2 at Kings Cross (it is really there ... there’s a door and everything. I have a picture of me in front of it.).
ReplyDeleteOh dearest Sallie, you made me so happy and I very much agree, I personally think Harry Potter's world doesn't have an age limit, besides, we are all young at heart right! Oh I would love to have a photo on that too someday dear Sallie :)
Delete