A Harry Potter destination has issued an urgent warning to guests after selling merchandise that violated local laws. The recall affects over 300 items sold between May 2023 and late April 2024, as a seemingly harmless piece of Harry Potter memorabilia turned out to be much more dangerous than intended.
A Surprising Development in a Harry Potter Gift Shop
The controversy stems from replicas of Godric Gryffindor’s sword, a key piece of Harry Potter lore used by the young wizard to defeat the Basilisk in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and later to destroy other Horcruxes.
Sold as a collectible item in a popular Harry Potter destination’s gift shop, the 34-inch replica sword was unfortunately too sharp to be considered a toy, inadvertently breaking local weapons laws.
The offending merchandise was sold at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo—The Making of Harry Potter. This studio tour, located in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward, is the largest indoor Harry Potter theme park in the world, offering guests a chance to explore iconic sites such as Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express, and the Forbidden Forest.
Mounted on a wooden plaque, the sword was initially deemed safe for display, but its sharpness violated Japan’s 1958 firearms and sword control law, which prohibits the possession of knives or swords longer than 6 centimeters without a special license.
Carrying such items can lead to severe penalties, including up to two years in prison. Guests who purchased the sword are being urged to contact the studio to return the item and receive a full refund.
The Continued Popularity of the Wizarding World
Despite what seems like an endless stream of controversy from its creator (we won’t go into too much detail about JK Rowling’s transphobic rants, but her social media accounts speak for themselves), Harry Potter attractions continue to be a major draw for fans around the world.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, which opened in 2023, is just one of many Harry Potter-themed experiences that span the globe. Universal Studios parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Beijing, have their own versions of the Wizarding World, offering visitors immersive attractions set in the magical universe.
Universal’s most extensive Harry Potter land is located at Universal Orlando Resort, where technically it spans two (soon three) parks. With the opening of Epic Universe in 2025, the Ministry of Magic will join Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in the resort’s magical lineup.
In addition to Universal’s offerings, Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi is set to introduce Harry Potter-themed experiences in the coming years, and the iconic Warner Bros. Studio Tour London–upon which the Tokyo destination is based–has been delighting fans for over a decade, showcasing the real magic behind the films.
If you could visit one Harry Potter theme park destination, which one would it be?
