Harry Potter World (aka Universal Studios Osaka)

When Covid lockdowns postponed our original Japan trip one thing Eleanor and Leo were especially disappointed to miss was Universal Studios in Osaka. So it has been eagerly awaited for the past three years. Harry Potter World was the main source of  their excitement, I’m not sure they were even aware (or maybe cared?) that it’s a bigger park. 

One advantage of travelling with older children is that they can step in as guest writers for the blog! So, Harry Potter World (aka Universal Studios) is brought to you by Eleanor…

That morning, we woke up super early to get inside before the public rolled in. Usually I would’ve been annoyed we woke up so early, but this was Universal Studios.

We got there before the gates were officially supposed to open, but they were open anyway - there were so many people already! [Jo - walking down the main street when we first entered was disorienting. It looks so realistic, until you look a little harder and realise everything is either good, souvenir or just a facade/shop window, it’s surreal!]. 

First we went to the Jaws area. We went on a river ride on which the shark followed us around as our tour guide tried to shoot it. It was loud and exciting, I thought, but a little confusing as all the words were in Japanese!

Then we went to the Jurassic Park area. That was - in my opinion - where one of the best roller coasters, Flight of the Dinosaur, was. We started upside down and then just zoomed around the place, turning every which way. It was awesome!! [Jo - it was designed to give you the sense of the flight of a pterodactyl. I had my eyes closed the entire time and still felt queasy at the end!]. 

Next was the Minions area, which is where Mum and I lost Leo and Dad. They had wandered off to go on a ride - without telling us! So that was frustrating, but we eventually found them again and made them wait as we went on a Minions ride. The minions ride was great - we sat in seats that turned and spun in time with the screen in front of us. 

Then we had lunch! We went to this cute little New York-inspired pizza place and ordered a pepperoni pizza and some fried chicken. It was delicious and hit the spot, fuelling us up for the next round. 

The Spider Man area was next! We had another ride like the Minions one, where it was like we experienced everything but in reality it was just on a screen. That ride was one of my favourites overall!

After that, we went to Hollywood Dream - an area with two great rollercoasters. One made us go backwards along the track- we couldn’t see where we were going! It was pretty scary. Then it had the same rollercoaster, but going forwards. That one’s my favourite. On both of them, we could choose out of five songs to play while we rode. I chose Shake It Off by Taylor Swift - great song!

Then we had Super Nintendo World, which was inspired by Mario Kart. It was incredibly crowded there - there was no room to even breathe - so we didn’t stay long at all and didn’t buy anything… but it was still amazing! It was so detailed - I loved it.

Second to last, we went to Harry Potter World. This is my favourite place in the entire theme park - Harry Potter was my childhood. 

I was so excited as soon as we stepped through the door, into a makeshift Hogsmeade. We wandered around the shops for a little bit before ending up at the Forbidden Journey ride. That was the same as Spider-Man and the Minions rides - an experience - but it was so amazing. We got to see all the actors on screen, plus moving portraits and authentic-looking Hogwarts hallways. I was in heaven. [Jo - it’s the closest we’ll ever come to experiencing broom flight, and it was awesome! Not so convinced by being dribbled on by Aragog though!]. 

After that ride, we stepped outside to try some butterbeer. Hot tip - get it cold, not hot. I got it cold and it was delicious, but Leo got it hot and it was way, way too sweet. I don’t think he finished it. [Jo - it tasted a bit like malted honey. And for the record mine was hot and it was yum, although a small cup was plenty!]. 

Next was the Flight of the Hippogriff, a rollercoaster. It looked great, but really we think it was a ride made for younger kids - it wasn’t very exciting for us and ended too soon, but it was still great. 

Then, finally, we went back to the shops, where I got some lollies - a chocolate frog and droobles best blowing gum - and some soft toys - a scabbers, an arnold, and a hedwig… (Ron’s rat, Ginny’s pygmy puff, and Harry’s owl respectively). Leo just got a few treats. 

We went on the Forbidden Journey for the second time, then, sadly, left that part of the park. Definitely my favourite out of all the parts of the park!

It was getting dark then, maybe around five, but Leo and I begged mum and dad to let us go on a rollercoaster we loved in the Hollywood area. It was around the third time we went on it, and it was stunning - we had such a beautiful view. Mum and Dad had just finished their milkshakes when we got back. 

It was time for us to leave - and as we started walking, I started to crash. It had been an awesome day, one I’ll never forget, but exhausting all the same. 

• Eleanor :)