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Every year, from late April to early May, you can find beautiful blooms of the wisteria flowers in Ashikaga Flower Park of Tochigi, Japan.
It's easily accessed by JR East's Shinkansen and local train, with a small transfer at Oyama station.
If you're carrying luggages, Sagawa offers a temporary storage area (image above) that you'll find on your way to the park from Ashikaga Flower Park station so no worries! For me, I stored my luggage at Oyama Station because I have planned to head back to Tokyo right after my visit so I'm still getting my luggage anyways (lol).
So how do you get a good chance to view the flowers? What are the things you can expect from here? Read on!! Don't forget to share it out and check out my other travel posts here too ✨✨
1. Check the ticket prices!
In Ashikaga Flower Park, the entrance fees differs daily, especially when you're visiting during the wisteria period. If the day/night viewing price is around 1500(D)/1200(N)JPY you're getting a pretty good chance to see better blooms! The more expensive the ticket is, the prettier the blooms will be ✨
2. Decide if you wanted a day view, night view, or both!
Day view starts from morning till around mid-afternoon, then you can start purchasing tickets from 5PM for the night view! Whenever you purchase tickets you can receive a 20% discount code for your next visit too. If you do plan to stay near Ashikaga Flower Park for a nicer viewing chance, why not? (I have this repeating client doing so and he is absolutely a pro when it comes to flowers!!)
3. Be surprised for your first entry
Without knowing that the first thing that greets you would be a lot of merchandise a in Ashikaga Flower Park, when I first entered I was shocked. "Am I here for wisteria or am I here to shop?" because the merchandise are having SO MUCH of variety! But of course as soon as you get past the merchandise it's a LOT of wisterias, and an ice cream spot!
The park is large and has lots of flowers to look around! Here are some of the photos!
I mainly went there for the wisteria, but when I was there, some of their sakuras are also in full bloom. Double the blessings, I'd say!
Some other tips:
1. If you are afraid of cold, bring a jacket! Temperatures for this season generally falls around 15~18 degree Celsius. I didn't need anything additional but many of the locals are actually wearing another layer of clothing so it's really up to your tolerance level.
2. If you're here, do consider getting some merchandises! Many of them are pretty and practical, such as bookmarks, decors, handkerchiefs, perfumes, and a lot more!
3. The first week of May is golden week so crowd is always there. Plan wisely if you are visiting during this period!
So in my previous post, I’ve gave some tips on how you can enjoy Universal Studios Japan (USJ) without an Express Pass for you to save a couple of bucks for your Harry Potter franchise’s merchandises!
Of course, one of the merchandises that Potterheads would love to get would be their favorite wands! Though they can come in a little pricey, but it is worth all the fun, and the price can be sometimes cheaper than USJ Express Pass (the prices of Express Pass differs every day, so be sure to ask your staff from H.I.S. Travel to find the best Universal Studios Japan deal for you)!
This post is for those who are willing to get the Magical Wand at 4,900 JPY (Approx. RM200), and if you are doing so, it is going to be quite an amazing experience in your life!
Why is it so important that I would recommend this to you, you ask? Because buying the Magical wand with a difference of 400 JPY (Approx. RM16+) will make your journey to USJ a whole lot more wonderful!
What’s the difference between Magical Wand and Original Wand?
There are different kinds of wands, but if you are looking for a magical experience, go for the 4,900 JPY wand!
As you can see from my comparison image above, the Magical Wand comes with a sensor. This sensor will help you to interact with different magical spots in USJ’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
If you are getting the ordinary wand, you can keep them as a collection! But sadly, you can’t experience the Magical Wand parts – which is why I strongly recommend you to grab the Magical Wand!
Wait, so I’ve got the wand, now how do I actually know the spots?
Fear not, my magical child. The world of magic is everywhere within this area!
With the Magical Wand, you will also be given a map to discover the spots. You are also given a cheat sheet on the wand movements beforehand!
With the Magical Wand, you will also be given a map to discover the spots. You are also given a cheat sheet on the wand movements beforehand!
Even if you aren’t good in reading maps, you can find symbols like these too. That is where you can see a magical guide (USJ Crew, dressed in a blue shirt with a vest) that will aid your successful cast of spell!
So, let’s go!! (Don’t worry, I won’t give out all spoilers, I still want you to experience it fully yourself!)
1. Cistem Aperio!
These signs shows you three things!
- Direction on where your wand should point to
- How to cast the spell
- The name of the spell
Hints:
- When this spell is used: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Tom Riddle
- The spell is used to open boxes
- Location hint: Hogwarts Express Luggage (see image below)
- Difficulty: 5/5 (Not to say that it is really difficult but many people had multiple tries here due to failure so…)
2. Alohomora!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: When you want to cast fire and damage someone (lol)
- The spell is used to unlock stuff, great for thieves lol
- Location hint: In Hogsmeade’s Gate Door (see image above)
- Difficulty: 3.5/5
3. Incendio!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: When you want to cast fire and damage someone (lol)
- The spell is used to create pretty sparks (fire)
- Location hint: In Hogsmeade’s Wall Building Chimey (see image above)
- Difficulty: 3.5/5
- Additional hint: Try this on Day and Night! Reason? See image below:
Wonderful, isn’t it?
4. Arresto Momentum!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: During a Qudditch Match – Harry used the spell to prevent himself from hitting the floor
- The spell is used to pause movements
- Location hint: Dervish and Banges Music Box (see image above)
- Difficulty: 2.5/5
5. Aguamenti!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: When you don’t drink enough water (jk it’s in the Half Blood Prince)
- It’s just down the way down after finishing your “charms test” at #4
- The spell is used to sprout waters
- Location hint: Dervish and Banges Alley (see image above)
- Difficulty: 2/5
- Additional hint: Do not wear shoes that are slippery. Wear something comfortable to walk.
6. Meteolojinx!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: When you hate the weather and wished to change it
- The spell is first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Location hint: Honeydukes Back Alley, near Three Broomsticks (see image below)
- Difficulty: 3/5
- Additional hint: Just do half circles, back and forth
7. Wingardium Leviosa!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: In the very first movie. It’s the most famous spell in the Harry Potter series!
- The spell is used to make stuff float. Don’t forget to say your spell out with the right emphasis!
- Location hint: Spintwitches Quaffle Ball, near its show window (see image above)
- Difficulty: 4/5 (another spell that many can’t pass on the first try)
- p/s: It’s super duper heavy (Approx. 65kg, if according to the book’s description since it’s pure iron) so if you can lift it up with your wand, feel proud of yourself!
8. Ventus!
Hints:
- When this spell is used: When you want to cast shoot someone away with wind (You can also see Newt Scamander using it in Fantastic Beasts!)
- The jinx is used to summon strong streams of wind
- Location hint: Quidditch Banners (It’s too big of a spoiler to show by picture…)
- Difficulty: 1/5 (legit the easiest of all lol)
Other things to take note:
- On busy days, you might need to queue. There might be a limit of 5 tries per person.
- Everything is basically down a road and is not too far apart from each other, though I did Meteolojinx (6) last, but it depends on how you go around. The most important part is to enjoy!
- You can keep your Magical Wand for a second visit next time, as long as you take a good care of the wand and not spoil the sensor, it will be fine to use it for multiple times!
- For people with a budget that would like to share a Magical Wand, please do not pass the wand to the other person, especially when there is a crowd. It is more polite to queue separately and pass the wand when the first person is out of the queue.
- A friend said that it might be possible to use the Magical Wand in other Universal Studios that has a Wizarding World too, but I have yet to try it out. Will let you know once I visited the one in Orlando!
Hope you will find this helpful!
Until next time!
Editor's note: for Muggle edition, casual stuff: 'obvious fiction - all good fun - nothing to worry about. Hope you enjoy it!'
I am a proud Slytherin, and me liking the Harry Potter series is no secret, even within my team at work so obviously I’m bound to share something Harry Potter-related here!
In Japan, there’s Universal Studios in Osaka, and this is where it gets magical – you get to walk right into Hogsmeade in Universal Studios Japan!
Universal Studios Japan (or what we always call USJ) is so popular, that this place is full of visitors every single day! It’s nothing like Universal Studios Singapore as it gives a totally different experience, so visiting USJ is basically on every (probably mostly Asian) Potterhead’s bucket list!
Like all other Universal Studios, there are bound the be Express Pass for you to save lots of time in the world of muggles. But what if you wanted to keep your muggle currency for something else?
No worries! This is the exact guide you need without an Express Pass. I’ll write another post on using Express Pass next time (because let’s be honest – you would want to spend another day in USJ. A single visit is never enough.)
Tip #1: Pre-purchase your entrance ticket
Time will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead.
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
As the saying goes, time is gold. If you wouldn’t want to experience a 3-hour queue outside USJ, purchase your tickets from H.I.S. Travel Malaysia before you depart to Japan!
The ticket purchased from H.I.S. Travel Malaysia is an e-ticket. There’s QR code that is printed on the ticket and you can scan and enter the park right away. Time-saving indeed.
Tip #2: Don’t stay too far away!
Being in a foreign land you are bound to stay in an accommodation that you are not familiar in terms of language and getting around, but no worries! The team from H.I.S. Travel can help you with giving advises when you require it!
Generally, the team in H.I.S. Travel will recommended to stay around Namba, Osaka/ Umeda, Shin-Imamiya. All less than 30 minutes by train to USJ. In muggle currency it would be around 180~200 JPY in the land of the rising sun. That’s like less than half a dozen Sickles.
If you are looking for great recommendations and ease of bookings, the team in H.I.S. Travel is ready to help you through your purchase to make your experience a lot smoother.
Tip #3: No dilly-dally. Utilize time. Strategize.
You can eat your breakfast when you queue, but not not queuing – especially for entering and waiting for rides. Get away for a split second and you’ll see a loooooooooooong line of muggles (possibly also wizards, you’ll never know) queuing.
The theme park opens at different times of the day, depending on USJ’s calendar. Sometimes 8.30, sometimes 9, or even from evening until end of the following day from 31 December until 1 January every year. (Partying is necessary for people in the muggle world, after all) It is important to check the official calendar on USJ’s website.
It is completely fine to arrive at 6.30 in the morning but you got to get in the queue because short after you will see the long line behind you. Even if USJ opens hours later, this is the time where your strategy game starts – open up a map and decide where to go, and how to expect from an unknown world. If you have done your homework prior visiting Japan, kudos to you! Bring that sandwich or rice ball with you, sit down while being in queue, and enjoy.
Tip #4: Be disciplined, then run for your life!
Wanted that view where there are nothing that looked like crowds in front of you? Get your entrance tickets ready for scanning, then RUN! There are many entry gates, but if this is your first time visiting USJ, we just wanted to let you know that if you don’t have an Express Pass but would absolutely enter the wizarding world, then grab your area entry ticket near Jaws!
Well, another option is to just run straight into the Harry Potter area through a ‘shortcut’ on the right side upon entry. As soon as you enter you can take photos and do lots of things – but we recommend checking out Hogwarts first. If you arrive early, the queue wouldn’t take hours – took us just a short while. Enjoy your ride in the castle! If luck is good, you might be able to ride again without an Express pass.
Tip #5: Enjoy the rides first, pictures come later
This tip is more of an extension from #4 but seriously. If you don’t have an Express Pass, prioritize to get into the rides first. You would never want to experience queuing for another 3 hours for a single ride. Trust me.
If you’re a Potterhead, prioritize the rides of Harry Potter for yourself first, then you can take all the photos you want because it wouldn’t be easy to get back into the area as there are timed tickets handed out (which is why people run for the machine at Jaws). You can play everything else later. If you need more days, 2-day tickets are available!
After coming out from Hogwarts, enjoy to the fullest! Hogsmeade has everything you need to take your magical photos, just be amazed, enjoy all the little magical detail here!
Though if you managed to get a ticket to come back in the evening, stay! The atmosphere is different at night time, and staying around Hogwarts will certainly give you a memorable experience in your lifetime.
Tip #6: Utilize the Single Rider Lane
Best part about traveling solo is to enjoy all the time you have for yourself. Although you can also use the single rider lane even you go in groups, chances are you will be separated with your group when you use a single rider lane – but the line moves pretty fast so you get to save queuing time compared to groups! The staff will slot you into whichever space that is empty.
Tip #7: Butterbeer indoors!
I supposed you figured how much I dislike queues if you have managed to read this far, and this tip is the same.
There are actually different places to buy butterbeer – and the one outdoors is always crowded. If you want the full enjoyment, go for their cafe by the lake, sit and enjoy the view!
Tip #8: Lawson is your budget-friendly friend
Though I always recommend you to try something that you wanted to try at least once, but if you are super tight on budget and would prefer to splurge on merchandises rather than food, head to Lawson! There is one in USJ City. Buy a couple of stuff and put it in your bag, eat them (discreetly) when you’re hungry – but seriously who gets multiple chances to visit USJ multiple times so might as well as spending more on the fancier stuff in USJ!
Other Tips
- Visiting Japan during Spring/ Rainy season/ Autumn? You might face drizzles. So bring raincoats! You really wouldn’t want to get drenched.
- You can try on the Hogwarts robes in the store, but make sure to be a decent person and hang them back nicely – it’s a display item.
- There’s a photobooth near the Hogwarts Express, if you wanted the photo to be printed out, it’s 2,500 JPY but you can wear the robe and pose with a wand. You can also get a photo on your phone for free, but it’s with the clock nearby Hogwarts Express instead.
- There’s the wand that is interactive and you can test how good you did for your charms class here! If you are getting the wands of main characters they’ll be 4,900 JPY, and 4,500 JPY for supporting roles. You will be given a map and instructions to find the locations! I’ll make another post next time!
- Try Butterbeer in both hot and cold. They feel different but both are so good. p/s: Did you know that butterbeer in the movies are hot? 🍺
So, that’s all of the tips I’d like to provide!
If you find my article helpful, consider purchasing your USJ ticket (and Express Pass, and other stuff for Japan) from H.I.S. Travel Malaysia!
