Universal Studios Japan Revives Hogwarts Castle Walk for Back to Hogwarts

The seasonal walkthrough is being staged for the 25th-anniversary Back to Hogwarts program to give fans a slower, more detailed way to explore Hogwarts Castle.

Overview

Universal confirmed Saturday that the Hogwarts Castle Walk will run from September 1, 2026, through January 17, 2027 at Universal Studios Japan.
The Castle Walk is a non-ride walkthrough of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey queue that lets guests stop in rooms such as the Herbology greenhouses, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and Dumbledore’s office.
As part of the anniversary program the park will hold a limited-capacity nighttime event from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with entry decided by lottery and applications open July 1 at 2:00 p.m. through July 14.
Lottery winners will receive digital badges and get after-hours access to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, and the Hogwarts Castle Walk while shops and food vendors remain open during the event.
Universal will debut Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans–inspired stickers at the nighttime event and make them available to all guests beginning September 2, and the revival continues a pattern of occasional Castle Walk offerings at the Osaka park.