Universal Studios Japan has announced a 15 July opening date for its $500m (€362m, £297m) Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.

The theme park is hoping to build on the 10.5 million visitors it received in fiscal 2013, an improvement of 7.7 per cent from the previous year and the second-highest figure since its first year in fiscal 2001.

The new attraction is similar to the one that opened at Universal Orlando Resort in 2010, and features rides, immersive environments and outlets based on the ever-popular Harry Potter books and films. These include the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff rides, Hogwarts castle, and Hogsmeade Village.

Universal is also opening a Harry Potter attraction at its Hollywood park in 2016 as part of a five-year investment plan, while the Orlando resort is getting a second land themed around the bespectacled boy wizard this summer.

Meanwhile, Global Experience Specialists’ successful travelling Harry Potter attraction is making its German premiere in October.