Day 8 – Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
This morning, after checking out of the wonderful Park Front Hotel we had a unique buffet breakfast including both Japanese, western and white chocolate fountain options.
We entered USJ and made a beeline for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
It seems that my Hogwarts acceptance letter had really gotten lost in the owl mail, because I entered Hogsheade and the Castle without any qualms – thanks Errol! It was so magical walking through the streets lined with all the classic stores; HoneyDukes, Zonko’s, Owl Post, Hogwarts’ Express Station 9 3/4, Dervish and Banges, Ollivanders, Filch’s Emporium and Hagrid’s Hut.
The Hogwarts Ride was virtual reality and outstanding as we flew around Hogwarts on broomsticks, chased by a dragon, playing Quidditch with Harry against Malfoy for the golden snitch, ghosted by dementors, a trip down to the Chamber of Secrets, through the Forbidden Forest, avoiding the Whomping Willow to finally returned across the lake to the Castle, cheered on by all our fellow students and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
The Flying Hippogriff was a nice medium rollercoaster ride to enjoy the view of Hogsmeade.
A butter beer only enhanced the enchanting experience!
Next we went on the Jaws ride, being chased by a shark down the river way with a very exuberant and brave captain/guide fending of the marine monster until she snatched us away from the jaws of death!
The Jurassic Ride was also a great re-creation of experiencing Jurassic Park. The fact that Typhoon Malakas hit USJ at the same time, only added to the atmosphere that the movie portrayed, the storm the night before the dinosaurs escaped the Park.
The Spiderman ride was another virtual reality ride and therefore excellent! We swung through the streets and buildings of New York City with Spidey fighting off almost every villain that has plagued the Spiderman Universe! I’m starting to think that every ride should be virtual reality!
Space Fantasy was beautiful and definitely a must to see for different versions of the galaxy that will awe you. The more intense rollercoasters, Hollywood Dream and Flying Dinosaur (suspended riders face down, as the roller coast careens you throughout the park at high speed) had the longest wait, so get try to get in early for those rides.
After the Typhoon temporarily suspended some rides we decided to get lunch at the Happiness Cafe and enjoy the spooky rides.
Top and left: Park Front Hotel buffet brekky and white choc fountain. Middle: dinner of 551 Horai noodles and green tea at Kyoto Ryokan Shimizu. Papa Popcorn soy sauce and butter flavour, of course. Bottom (hehe bottom): Minions lunch burger and fries meal and minions sponge scroll with banana (Banana!) compote.
Halloween celebrations are in full swing at USJ as we did two Haunted Houses; Takita and Chucky’s Funhouse. That night the streets of USJ came alive with zombies wielding chainsaws, axes and demented ones terrorising the park participants! Also Harry Potter World had an even more enchanting vibe at night and there were death eater attacks performed in the streets of Hogsmeade. USJ definitely comes alive at night -so stick around for after dark!
We left at 9pm closing time, and after some confusion with the trains because the Typhoon had cause track cancellations and delays (up to 100mins – unheard of in Japan haha!) we arrived in Kyoto at our ryokan.
Tomorrow we will begin exploring the traditional city of Kyoto!
Amira | Reflects 
Another great day out! I’ve only heard good things about the Harry Potter World. Did you get sorted into Griffindore? or did you ‘slytherin’ to another house?…. see what I did there?
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I hufflepuffed my way through the sorting hat ceremony and managed to ravenclaw into Gryffindor!
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You must have thought you’d bump into Harry & the gang around every corner.
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