Harry Potter's broomstick ride; 'Human beings are noodle beings’

Our family holiday last week featured two highlights: a visit to Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo and the Cup-Noodles Museum in Yokohama.

- ENDEAVOR SONNY COLOMA

Batman and Superman were the superheroes of my childhood and teen years. Visiting my lola’s house, I first experienced watching these superheroes on the Zenith TV set sent by my aunt from California. That was when the phenomenon of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was a good two decades away from its unfolding.

For my grandson Rafa, born of Millennial parents who bought all seven books on Harry Potter authored by J. K. Rowling, going to the Warner Bros. Studio in Tokyo, was a dream come true.

The Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo, is located on the former site of the Toshimaen amusement park in Nerima Ward — accessible by taxi or train from main tourist hubs like Shibuya and Shinjuku. The attraction occupies an area of approximately 90,000 square meters or nine hectares, with lush greenery and trees, nestled within a tranquil neighborhood, whose residents must feel very good about their proximity to this well-planned state-of-the-art recreational facility.

The settings at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo are designed to be highly immersive, allowing visitors to step into the wizarding world and experience the magic firsthand. The tour features life-scale sets from the movies, iconic props, and behind-the-scenes details, making it feel like you're truly part of the Harry Potter universe.

Visitors can walk through sets like the Ministry of Magic and the Great Hall, where they can easily imagine themselves as characters in the film. The tour also offers hands-on experiences, such as riding a broomstick in front of a green screen and seeing yourself as a moving portrait in the halls of Hogwarts. Just like other visitors, every member of our family of five experienced a fantasy broomstick ride that we will remember for some time because we cheerfully paid for framed photo prints of the simulated scenario.