From May 16th, the wrapping train “Studio Tour Tokyo Express” will run between Ikebukuro and Toshimaen Stations. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike also attended the departure ceremony.
On May 16th, Seibu Railway renewed Ikebukuro Station and Toshimaen Station in line with the June 16th opening of “Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – Making of Harry Potter” (hereafter Studio Tour Tokyo).
In preparation for the opening in one month, the wrapping train “Studio Tour Tokyo Express” will also start operating from the same day. Along with the renovation of the station building, a departure ceremony was held at the square in front of Seibu Railway Toshimaen Station.
A station building that makes you feel the legacy of Toshimaen
Toshimaen Station before renovation (taken in April 2022).
Reborn Toshimaen Station.
The nearest station, Toshimaen Station, has been renovated with red as the base color, in the image of Hogsmeade Station, which appears as the nearest station to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the original work.
A phone booth with a British appearance. You can’t use it as a real phone, but you can enjoy hearing something when you put your ear to the receiver.
In addition, there are animations displayed on the LED vision installed at the top of the station building, telephone booths with magical world-like ingenuity installed in the premises, etc. He says that he wants to create a space that can be enjoyed not only by Studio Tour Tokyo visitors, but also by local customers.
In the center of the station, a model train that was once in operation as an attraction in Toshimae from 1966 to 1981 has been remade into a “magic train” and is on display. Similarly, the rails actually used in Toshimae are designed to go up into the sky, in reference to the magical worldview.
The benches at both Ikebukuro and Toshimaen Stations were once used in Toshimaen. Although the station building has been reborn for the opening of Studio Tour Tokyo, it is full of features that make you feel the history of Toshimaen Station.
In addition, platforms 1 and 2 of Ikebukuro Station, which serves as the entrance, have been reborn with reference to London’s King’s Cross Station, which also appears in the original as the entrance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Harry and his friends attend.
At Ikebukuro Station, the same clock as at King’s Cross Station, which was donated by Warner Bros. for this renewal, is installed on Platform 1.
Torben Jensen, general manager of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, commented on the renovation, saying, “From the moment I stepped into the station, my heart began to throb. As we get closer, it will create a great sense of exhilaration,” he said of his expectations for the new station building.
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Seibu Holdings returns to profitability for the first time in three years.Targeting inbound demand
Takashi Goto, chairman and CEO of Seibu Holdings, who responds to reporters’ surroundings.
“We would like to spread the charm of the area by combining existing entertainment businesses such as Seibuen Yuenchi and Seibu Lions with the rich natural environment.”
Takashi Goto, chairman and CEO of Seibu Holdings (hereafter, Seibu HD), expressed hopeful views about the impact of the Harry Potter business, which has fans of all ages around the world, on his company.
Seibu HD announced its net income of 56,753 million yen, an increase of about 432% from the previous fiscal year, for the full-year financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2023 (April 2022 to the end of March 2023). Both the hotel business and the railway business returned to profitability for the first time in three years. Seibu Holdings cited the lifting of movement restrictions and gains on the sale of the site of Toshimaen as reasons for the surplus.
Mr. Goto talks about inbound demand.
Mr. Goto also emphasized once again the rarity value of this facility, which is attracting attention from fans around the world, as “the world’s first studio tour outside of its home country (UK).”
In response to Business Insider Japan’s question about the prospects for inbound demand, starting with Asian countries,
“In my personal image, I expect more than 2 million visitors a year.If it becomes a Harry Potter facility, which has many core fans, it is expected that the ratio of inbound visitors will be high.”
replied.
Studio Tour Tokyo is by reservation only.The policy is to increase the maximum number of visitors as soon as the facilities are ready to accept them.*In order to avoid this and allow each participant to enjoy themselves comfortably, Seibu Railway will also prepare a system in the future.
Featured studio tour, “Diagon Alley” also released
On the same day as the Seibu Railway renewal commemorative ceremony, at Studio Tour Tokyo, for the press,“Platform 9 3/4” platform and “Hogwarts Express”and “Ministry of Magic”, the “Diagon Alley” area was opened to the public.
There is no problem even if you are not familiar with the original. The staff (interactors) standing in front of the store will explain the behind-the-scenes story behind the production and use of the set.
Gringotts Bank, where goblins work.
“Ollivander’s Wand Shop” is familiar from the scene where Harry is chosen as a wand. Founded in 382 B.C., the entire building is covered in dust to give it an old-fashioned look. The wand on display is intriguing because it does not have a model of its owner.
The Flourish and Blotts bookstore, where Hogwarts students buy their textbooks, includes a copy of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart’s book “I Am Magic,” which appears in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” be.
Weasley Wizard Weeds (WWW) is a prank shop run by twins Fred and George Weasley.
The WWW has a mechanism that catches the eye even among alleys. Pay attention to the rabbit that “occasionally” appears from inside the top hat.
Inside the WWW store, there is a toy of Dolores Umbridge from “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”
A high-end Quidditch store displays the Nimbus 2001 broom owned by Draco Malfoy, Harry’s best friend.
Diagon Alley is also plastered with wanted posters of the Death Eaters and Harry, who also appeared in the series.
Source: BusinessInsider
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