Press Release

Universal Studios Japan — Leave to the extraordinary world (of Harry Potter with world-class scale and quality)— Announcing New Fantastic Experiences at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Actresses Alice and Suzu Hirose Cast a Magical Spell at the Opening Ceremony and Press Preview of new Wand Magic and Wand Studies on Tuesday, April 12, 2016

On Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Universal Studios Japan will begin offering new magical experiences—Wand Magic and Wand Studies—for visiting guests to enjoy at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a magical area where the world of Harry Potter is brought to life for fans of all ages. Wand Magic and Wand Studies offer guests an opportunity to practice and cast spells at different locations within the land. Prior to the grand opening, the Opening Ceremony for the new magical experiences was held today, Tuesday, April 12. Harry Potter fans Alice and Suzu Hirose attended the ceremony to announce the new magical experiences.

At the ceremony, Alice and Suzu Hirose greeted guests dressed in Gryffindor robes and each holding a wand, like students of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When they announced that the two new magical experiences at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be opening on Wednesday, April 13, the day after the opening ceremony, the crowd was filled with exclamations of surprise and joy. Following the announcement, the Hirose sisters joined other special guests and Harry Potter fans in casting several spells to the delight of everyone in attendance.

After successfully demonstrating the correct way to cast a ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ spell and making a simple feather float in the air, the Hirose sisters then proceeded to cast a ‘Locomotor’ spell which, to the surprise of the audience, resulted in the impressive levitation of the famed Ford Anglia enchanted car seen in the Harry Potter films.

Watching the magical moment, the invited guests let out cries of joy and sighs of excitement. “I could really cast the spell, and it was magical. I am so excited. It was really amazing!” said Alice and Suzu Hirose, who were still filled with joy after their dream-like experience of being immersed in the world of the Harry Potter stories.

Expressing their joy and surprise, guest who came from Fukuoka and cast spells together commented “I was so surprised to see the Ford Anglia levitated in the air. I enjoyed myself very much because I have been waiting for this moment where I can cast a spell just like I read in the books and watched in the movies.” The other guest from Gifu, said “It felt like I was really in the movie. I was moved that I could really cast a spell to levitate the Ford Anglia.”

[New magical experiences]

◆ Wand Magic◆

A special Interactive Wand is now available at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan that offers guests the chance to cast magical spells. Guests will search for “magical points” hidden in several locations in the area based on the Wand Magic Map. To lead guests to a successful magical experience, Wand Assistants at respective locations will give “personal interaction” to each and every guest. Guests can enjoy the magical world of Harry Potter by actually casting spells and experiencing the joy when they actually succeed in doing it.

◆ Wand Studies◆

This is a show-style attraction in which students of the four houses of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry practice how to cast spells while receiving support from guests.