The local train at the Universal City Station in Osaka, Japan, will be featuring a new advertisement for the upcoming opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Japan. The JR Yumesaki Line in Osaka heading to the theme park will feature, as shown below, Harry Potter riding on his Firebolt - the same promo used for advertisements for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter park in Orlando, Fla.



The press release noted that the new train line will begin its run this Friday, February 1, for passengers heading to and from Universal Studios Japan. As announced last spring, the Japan expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open to the public in late 2014, as confirmed by Universal Studios and Warner Bros.

UPDATE: Universal Studios Japan have sent over the full press release, in English, along with a hi-res shot of the train, which can be read and seen here.

Beginning Friday, February 1, 2013, Japan Railway Yumesaki Line begins operation of a train wrap designed in the motif of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which opens at Universal Studios Japan in late 2014

On Friday, February 1, 2013, a train with a new design will appear on the Japan Railway Yumesaki Line (Nishikujo – Universal City – Sakurajima), a line providing convenient access to Universal Studios Japan. This is a train wrap design of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter motif, a newly themed environment slated to open in late 2014. The train wrap will feature illustrations of the themed land’s landmark Hogwarts castle and images of the beloved characters, Harry, Hermione and Ron. Toward the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed land, this new train wrap by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and Universal Studios Japan will raise anticipation of the many passengers for the new themed land’s opening.

There will be even greater number of passengers using JR to travel to Osaka, toward its opening. This will be through a variety of efforts in partnership with Universal Studios Japan and JR West, starting with the themed train wrap. All of this contributes to revitalizing the economy of Kansai, and eventually, the rest of Japan.

About “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” themed land :
Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films come to life.

About Harry Potter :
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold approximately 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than 7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history. In Japan, the Harry Potter film series has been seen by more than 78 million people in theaters.

About Universal Studios Japan:
Universal Studios Japan will open the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in late 2014 for the first time outside in U.S to realize its philosophy of “Bring you the Best of the World,” Universal Studios Japan invested 45 billion yen to create the themed land that authentically brings the stories of Harry Potter to life.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s13)