Harry Potter theme park to open in Japan

Harry Potter is ready to cast a spell on theme park guests in Japan.

Universal Studios Japan, Warner Bros. and Universal Parks & Resorts announced Thursday that a new theme park attraction based on the hit JK Rowling novels will open at Universal Studios' Osaka site in 2014.

The theme park will feature similar rides and attractions at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, including Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts castle, reports UPI.

The Osaka-based attraction will be the third of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks. The first was at the Universal's Islands of Adventure site in Orlando, Fla. which opened in 2010, and second will be at Universal Studios park in Hollywood, Calif., which is under construction and expected to open in 2016.

"I was delighted to experience and enjoy the attention to detail, creativity and superb craft that went into the first Wizarding World in Orlando. I am equally delighted that the same level of expertise and enjoyment will translate to the new park in Japan," said J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter fantasy novels, in a statement.

Harry Potter is in high demand by Japanese fans. The seven films in the series have grossed more than $893 million in Japan and been seen in cinemas by more than 78 million people.

So far there is no sign that the Wizarding World franchise is likely to arrive in Britain, where the Potter stories are ostensibly set, but the U.K. does have Warner Bros' The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, which opened in March.