This Is What It's Like To Spend A Day At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Japan

It was a pretty cold day so we were all bundled up in coats and scarves but we still had an absolute blast and loved every second of our awesome day there. :D

To get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of Universal Studios Japan, you have to walk through The Forbidden Forest. As you walk along, you can hear the cries of all sorts of magical creatures in the bushes and you'll even come across the infamous smashed Ford Anglia.

Once you get to the end of the forest path, you'll be in the Hogsmeade village! Its honestly so beautiful guys and there's loads to see so take your time to wander through.

From the Hogwarts Express that occasionally whistles and blows smoke, to every Hogsmeade shop you've ever read about in the books, it's really easy to just lose yourself there for hours.

We got to experience a super cool Christmas special: using a wand and the Lumos spell to light up the giant Christmas tree!

And then, we finally got to Hogwarts! We can't even begin to describe how truly magnificent the castle is, you really have to see it for yourself. And it only gets better once you step inside. Dumbledore's office, a hall of actual moving and talking portraits, and holographic projections of Harry, Ron, and Hermione are just some of the things you'll see along the way.

The Forbidden Journey ride is seriously one of the most amazing rides we've ever been on! At first you think that the whole thing is going to be made up of just 4D effects but then you're suddenly met with detailed sets and hyper-realistic animatronic figures when you least expect it. It really does make you feel like you're going on an adventure in the world of Harry Potter.

And here's a #protip: head over to the back of The Three Broomsticks for a stunning view of Hogwarts as seen from across The Great Lake.

The Flying Dinosaur
Do not underestimate this roller coaster! It may look pretty tame from the outside but it's a whole different game once you've actually boarded. Themed to mimic the flight of a pterodactyl, the row you're seated on will tip forwards before the ride starts. So you'll be dangling in the air, completely parallel to the ground, for the entire ride filled with twists, turns, and loops! :O

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
 The plot for this ride was quite adorable. You're looking to join Gru's team of Minions so you get transformed into one at the start of the ride and spend the rest of it supposedly undergoing Minion training. But in true Despicable Me fashion, nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to the Minions hehe.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - The Ride 4K3D
If you like The Transformers ride in Universal Studios Singapore, you'll absolutely love this one! We felt that the effects were even more realistic than other 4D rides we've been on. We legit kept flinching and ducking every time it felt like something was about to hit us, and screamed our heads off when it seemed like we were being flung through the air on Spidey's webs.

If you're ever in Universal Studios Japan, make sure to go on an empty stomach 'cause there's just so much yummy food on offer and you're gonna want to try them all! 

We got to try their seasonal winter/Christmas specials:

Christmas Set Lunch & Warm Butterbeer @ The Three Broomsticks
The bountiful platter can easily feed about four to six people, our party of four couldn't even finish it all off. It consists of two flavourful roast chickens, juicy sausages, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and carrots, buttery peas, gravy, and cranberry sauce. And as if all that wasn't enough, it also comes accompanied with a simple garden salad on the side.

We absolutely loved the warm Butterbeer. It has a slight hint of ginger that perfectly cuts through the rich sweetness of the creamy butterscotch flavoured drink but doesn't overpower it at all. And it definitely warmed us right up!

Minions' Cookie Sand @ Delicious Me
Don't worry it's not actually anything sand-related, it's just short for sandwich lol. Watching the factory-like assembly line of these little guys being made was so entertaining. We had the Strawberry Shortcake flavour which had just the right balance between the sweet whipped cream and the tart strawberries to keep it from being jelak.

Minion Popcorn Bucket @ Pop-A-Nana
It comes in an actual Santa Minion container omg damn cute! The banana flavoured popcorn can take some getting used to at first but it quickly becomes super addictive. We found ourselves munching our way to the bottom of the bucket without even realising it.

Hot Chocolate Fondue Cone @ Coney Island Snacks Truck (Christmas Market)
We thought this take on the traditional ice-cream cone was unique and perfect for the winter weather. The waffle cone is filled with a hot chocolate fondue sauce, and topped with cereal, marshmallows, and berries.

Cheesy Turkey Leg @ The Happiness Wagon (Christmas Market)
Definitely one for sharing or the super hungry. The giant turkey leg is cooked to perfection, making it super juicy and tender. It's then topped with grated cheese as well as a light sprinkling of herbs and spices before serving.

Christmas Set Dinner @ Studio Stars Restaurant
The hearty meal for one consists of a juicy hamburger steak covered in a creamy sauce with your choice of rice or bread, accompanied by crispy roasted potatoes, seasoned vegetables, and topped with a fried egg. You'll also get a side salad, a Minions pudding with berry coulis for dessert, and your choice of drink.

The Gift of Angels III: The Voice of Angel

The display of light projections and Christmas animation were so intricate and dazzling that we didn't even know where to look!

And major props to the cast who were all fantastic in their roles, be it as singers or dancers. We were especially blown away by the dancers on the roof, and one of them even levitated!

The whole thing culminated with an impressive display of fireworks and the lighting of the huge Christmas tree, which then had its own little ceremony of changing colours according to the music.

Hogwarts Magical Nights: Winter Magic

We headed back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for their all-new feature: a stunning projection show on Hogwarts itself! The castle was completely transformed with snow-capped spires, glowing holiday lights, and scenes from the Yule Ball. Paired with the music of the Harry Potter soundtrack, it was something truly magical to watch.

If you want to go on your own trip there, do check out KKday's website. They have tons of packages exclusively catered to giving you the best Universal Studios Japan experience.

You can search specifically for what you want or simply just browse through the various deals they have on offer and find the one that suits you best.

The Christmas theme and specials at Universal Studios Japan will only be available until 8 January 2018 so click here to book your trip there now!

Or you can follow their Facebook page here.