Image adapted from: @jiwoning_kkk and @sinna_vely
We live our lives much like the thoroughly ordinary Dursleys: mediocre muggles at best. But with or without a Hogwarts acceptance letter, there’s no stopping us – we’re still getting our fill of the Harry Potter universe.
From attending a Hogwart’s feast in Singapore’s Katong district to stocking up on supplies at a Diagon Alley-inspired shop in Hong Kong, here are 8 Harry Potter-related activities in Asia so you don’t have to get on a 14-hour flight to the UK:
Image credit: Jeratch on Airbnb
We’ve got little opportunity to break out into the tunes of Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, but that’s exactly what we’ll be doing at this home dining experience at an unassuming Katong apartment. It’s an Airbnb experience so expect your hosts to join in merrily.
For $89/person, you’re invited to a Hogwarts feast where hearty mains like Mrs. Weasley’s Roast Turkey, Stoat Roast Beef, and Lamb Rack will be served. There’ll even be Pumpkin Pasties that you can pretend you’ve bought off the Trolley Witch.
The house will be all decked out in Hogwarts decor – feel free to dress up in your wizarding robes to match.
Image credit: Jeratch on Airbnb
You’ll be personally greeted with a hand-brewed drink where you can choose from the likes of Butterbeer, Love Potion, and Pumpkin Juice. If you’ve always been a tad dubious of your Pottermore results, there’ll be a Sorting Ceremony for you to find your one true House.
End the night with a HP quiz game – the winners will get a special surprise to take home.
Find out more about the Magical Dinner for Harry Potter Fans here.
What is a list of Harry Potter-related activities without Singapore’s very own HP-themed cafe? We went down to Platform 1094 when it first opened and were blown away by the desserts and drinks – cupcakes like Witch’s Cup and Wizard’s Cup and drinks like Mr Lich’s Flaming Brew ($15).
The latter is a mix of Bacardi with Blue Curacao liqueur – it instantly goes up in flames once lit by a blowtorch. They also do mains like Pesto Mayo Pork Ribs ($22) and Crab Meat Aglio Olio ($17).
Address: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192
Opening hours: Tue to Sun: 11AM-10PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 6204 6003
Image credit: Expedia
Those muggles who never got our letters on our 11th birthdays will thoroughly enjoy Expected Inn, a Hogwarts-inspired holiday home. It’s entirely made up to look like Hogwarts’ dorms, with plaid bedsheets and velvety draw curtains around the beds. You can book out the entire house, which sprawls out across 3 floors and can fit up to 16 guests.
Image credit: Expedia
As you walk up the stairs, the walls are lined with old paintings – you might not see the The Fat Lady but there are plenty of Victorian-era portraits. Prices start from $475/night and you can make your booking online through Expedia.
Image credit: Museum CONTEXT
Those who have never stepped foot in Diagon Alley can head over to Hong Kong’s Museum CONTEXT to stock up on all things Harry Potter. It’s Ollivanders, Flourish & Blotts, and Madam Malkin’s all crammed into one shop. From Harry Potter board games to House-themed knick knacks, it has a range more massive than Typo’s recent Harry Potter collection.
Image credit: Museum CONTEXT
Even the quirkiest of items can be found here – they even have a “Free Dobby” Mug And Socks Set so you can support Hermione’s S.P.E.W initiative.
Address: 19 1F Yun Ping Road, Hong Kong
Opening hours: Mon to Wed, Sun: 12PM-8PM, Thu to Sat: 12PM-9PM
Telephone: +852 9831 5735
Find out more about Museum CONTEXT here.
Image credit: @pictures_of_pints
It’s a cosy space over at Always Cafe – nothing like the vast Great Hall but more like the Gryffindor Common Room with its friendly ambience. It’s done up with rustic brick walls and you’ll also see familiar posters and paintings everywhere, like “Have you seen this wizard?” signs and portraits of the Golden Trio.
Image credit: @ag009183
Feel free to throw on wizarding robes and a pointy hat to match while ordering from the bar which serves up Harry Potter-themed drinks. The absolute must-try? None other than Butterbeer (VND45k, ~S$2.60). They offer other drinks too, all based on potions like Polyjuice Potion, Amortentia, and Felix Felicis – pick the last for a dose of good luck.
Image credit: Always Cafe
All potions are priced at VND40k (~S$2.30).
Address: 8B Hang Tre, Hanoi, Vietnam 109999
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 8AM-11PM
Telephone: +84 399 483 107
We’re lucky that Japan’s Universal Studios has a full-blown Wizarding World of Harry Potter too – no need to travel all the way to Florida or Hollywood. You can read more about what Fauzi and Chris got up to over there here.
There are 3 types of Butterbeer, but only 2 are available at any time: Cold Butterbeer (all year round), Frozen Butterbeer (summer), and Warm Butterbeer (winter).
Besides chugging down plenty of Butterbeer, there’s also a scenic dark Forbidden Journey ride that will lead you through a flight around Hogwarts castle – you’ll also come across the Whomping Willow, dementors, and a Quidditch match.
If you prefer, you can stroll through Hogwarts to explore Dumbledore’s office, classrooms, and a corridor of moving portraits.
Choose between a 1 Day Pass (JPY7,400, ~S$91.80) or a 2 Day Pass (JPY14,700, ~S$182.30). The admission ticket includes entrance to Universal Studios Japan and use of all attractions in the park.
Find out more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Osaka here.
Image credit: @hogwartzthepubbali
Hogwartz The Pub Bali takes their magic seriously; They hold a Harry Potter-themed magic show daily, with a live music and dance skit too. Wizards will go from table to table to show off magic tricks – but don’t expect any N.E.W.T.-level spells, they stick to simple card tricks and vanishing acts.
Image credit: @hogwartzthepubbali
There are 2 shows: one specially tailored for children at 6:30PM – they’ll be invited to dance on stage after – and the other at 7:30PM with razzle-dazzle theatrics. It’s entirely a family-friendly joint – they even offer face painting for kids, with silicone and latex makeup.
Image credit: @hogwartzthepubbali
Although termed a pub, it’s not at all grimey like Hog’s Head. Instead, it’s airy with a dome-shaped roof, with framed Harry Potter posters all around.
Image credit: @foodcious
They’re widely known for their beef satay – it’s a recipe passed down through generations. Instead of peanut sauce, there’s a homemade soy sauce concoction for added savouriness. You won’t find anything like this in Hogwarts, that’s for sure.
Address: Jalan Buni Sari 1 Badung, Bali, indonesia
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 12PM-10PM
Telephone: +62 361 472 7707
Image credit: @jiwoning_kkk
King’s Cross Station in London has a luggage trolley in between platforms 9 and 10 – one that’s forever infamous on Instagram for its classic jump shot. But now, Seoul’s very own King’s Cross 9 ¾ is a cafe with its own wall-embedded luggage trolley – you can be sure that people will be flocking over for the ‘gram.
Image credit: @sunyoung_2015
To enter, you’ll need to order up a drink as an entrance fee: choose from the likes of Iced Vanilla Latte and Hazelnut Latte (KRW6,500, ~S$7.80 each), and desserts like Carrot Cake (KRW6,000, ~S$7.20).
Image credit: @two_hi
Once you’re in, it’s photo spots galore. There’s a massive wall that’s fully piled with wands, all housed in colourful wand boxes. Another spot is themed after the Mirror of Erised, where you can don on wizarding robes and scarf and pretend you’re doing regular wizarding-like things like riding a broom – you only get 3 minutes in this room so prep up!
Image credit: @sinna_vely
Address: Hongdae, Seoul Mapo-Gu Seogyo-Dong 417
Opening hours: Tue to Sun: 11AM-10PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: +82 70 4063 1657
Whether you’re off for a weekend getaway in Hong Kong or travelling around Japan, there are plenty of Harry Potter-related things to do in Asia. From staying in a Hogwarts dorm to attending a real-life Sorting Ceremony – it’s a dream come true for muggles like us.
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