Unlike the rest of warrior packed Japan, Raffles beloved Ninja seem to be a little thin on the ground in Osaka. Maybe it is because we’re not looking hard enough (a good ninja isn’t easy to spot), or maybe it is because they’ve been vanquished by all the wizards. You see Osaka is also home to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to which Raffles and Sugarpuff have just received their acceptance letters.
Actually, they just got tickets to Universal Studio Japan and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which I purchased at the gate after queuing with the rest of the Muggles… but I digress. We’re here for a little hocusey pocusey action of the Potter kind and Raffles and I are as excited as a golden snitch at a Quidditch final.
But before reach Hazza and his pals, we get to explore the rest of Universal Studios and it becomes quickly apparent that there’s more than Hogwart’s brand of sorcery to be found in this magical place.
Sugarpuff is soon under the spell of the one and only Hello Kitty in her retina-searing palace of pinkness.
She hangs out with Spidy!
And makes some funky new friends!
But, in case you were wondering what magic really looks like, I’d say the pure unadulterated joy on her face as she doles out the cuddles to the cast of Sesame Street is pretty much the most enchanting thing I’ve ever seen.
But Raffles is wild about Harry and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which we reach by following a winding path through a forest past the wreck of the Weasley’s Flying Ford Anglia, is his Hogwarts fantasy come to life.
From the cobbled streets to the slanted buildings coated in magical puffs of faux snow, it is like stepping into a real life Hogsmeade.
We sip on Butterbeer (imagine liquid butterscotch topped with cream).
We explore Zonko’s Joke shop and the Owl Post Office.
Pop in for fish and chips at the Three Broomsticks tavern.
At Ollivanders we stop to stock up on wands.
And at Honeydukes we fill our gobs with Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.
My little pothead is so excited he’s soon flying without the assistance of a broom!
We scrape our jaws up off the ground at the awe-inspiring sight of the Black Lake and the towering spires of Hogwarts.
Inside we head follow the hallways past bickering portraits to Dumbledore’s office and even bump into Harry, Ron, and Hermione themselves in the Defence Against Dark Arts classroom.
Well at least holograms of Raffles’ Hogwarts heroes, who, like Moaning Myrtle, are (understandably) fluent only in Japanese. So we know not what they are gibbering about! But the kids are excited anyway!
The rest of the clan takes on the 4D visual rollercoaster and brave a ride on the family-friendly Flight of the Hippogriff mini coaster, something I, being a non-coaster kinda gal, happily skipped!
After our huge day of Hogwarts hijinks we’ve worked up an appetite and the kids have decided in honour of Harry that they want “Japanese Golden Snitches” otherwise known as Takoyaki, for dinner!
We’re so wild about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and those addictive octopus balls that we’ve conjured up a recipe for Japanese Golden Snitches, which you can find here. Enjoy!
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 
Christine
August 7, 2015 at 12:18 pm (8 years ago)That looks like so much fun! I laughed at the pictures talking in Japanese. It makes sense, but spoils the authenticity somewhat!
BOYEATSWORLD
August 7, 2015 at 12:42 pm (8 years ago)It was a little quirky but… when in Japan!
stuntman
August 7, 2015 at 2:11 pm (8 years ago)Wow, that looks sooo cool!
BOYEATSWORLD
August 7, 2015 at 4:46 pm (8 years ago)It was incredible!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
August 7, 2015 at 4:42 pm (8 years ago)What a buzz, I’d be leaping for joy too – I have a thing for movie sets, they are quite magical aren’t they. That look is indeed pure joy xx
BOYEATSWORLD
August 7, 2015 at 4:47 pm (8 years ago)The sure are, Em. But anywhere my kids have smiles that big is magical to me x
Oyster
August 7, 2015 at 4:44 pm (8 years ago)How fun!!! I’ve been to the one in Orlando, Florida. I love how much detail they go into!
BOYEATSWORLD
August 7, 2015 at 4:46 pm (8 years ago)The detail is mindblowing
Anna
August 7, 2015 at 7:58 pm (8 years ago)Freaking awesome! I wanna go
BOYEATSWORLD
August 7, 2015 at 9:25 pm (8 years ago)Completely Freakin’ Awesome, Anna
Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella
August 7, 2015 at 9:23 pm (8 years ago)I always learn something new from you guys! I always thought that there was only one Harry Potter world in Florida but now I know that I can go to Osaka too for a fun HP experience! Happy dance 🙂
BOYEATSWORLD
August 7, 2015 at 9:24 pm (8 years ago)And it’s fabulous Lorraine! xx
Shan@FortyUp
August 8, 2015 at 1:24 pm (8 years ago)We were there in January, not sure who had a better time the kids or me!!! The lines were massive which might have been all too much if we hadn’t all been so darned excited!!!!!
BOYEATSWORLD
August 8, 2015 at 1:28 pm (8 years ago)We were lucky we didn’t get too many big lines when we were there in July. But even when there were lines they were worth it! SO much fun x
Kerryn
August 10, 2015 at 9:37 am (8 years ago)I love Harry Potter and had no idea this placeeven existed. I have to go to Japan
BOYEATSWORLD
August 10, 2015 at 7:01 pm (8 years ago)There’s one in America as well!
Ruth
August 12, 2015 at 1:53 pm (8 years ago)I didn’t know there was one of these in Osaka. I adore your daughter’s face while hugging the different characters.
BOYEATSWORLD
August 12, 2015 at 8:00 pm (8 years ago)Thanks Ruth It only opened late last year. But it is marvellous!
seizetheday20
August 12, 2015 at 4:29 pm (8 years ago)Wow – that looks amazing. I didn’t even know there was a “real” Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! What an incredible place for kids – and adults! 🙂
BOYEATSWORLD
August 12, 2015 at 8:01 pm (8 years ago)Totally “real”! And I confess to having had as much fun as the kids 🙂
Malinda (@MBPaperPackages)
August 12, 2015 at 7:22 pm (8 years ago)My kids hate those giant dressed up characters which is such a shame because they get all excited about them just to cringe when they get close. Oh well. That is such a great reproduction of Harry Potter’s world, how fabulous!
Thanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust this week.
BOYEATSWORLD
August 12, 2015 at 8:02 pm (8 years ago)I understand totally. This was the first time ever Sugarpuff wasn’t too afraid for cuddles. I think she was swept up in the magic. xx
Kate
September 6, 2015 at 12:49 pm (8 years ago)Cousin is completely jealous. So is aunty come to that.