Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan or USJ, as it’s known locally, is located in Osaka. It is smaller than the Disney parks but just as popular, and for any Harry Potter or Mario fan it’s a must!
USJ is split into sections or worlds (check out the map here or on the app): Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Minion Park, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.
USJ has a variety of rides for all ages as well as stage and street shows. Some of the rides are story based and are in Japanese. We enjoyed them just as much, however, if you don’t know the stories (Backdraft, Water World, Despicable Me, Spiderman, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Shrek and Terminator) it may be worthwhile watching them before hand!
Check out the timing for the Water World show, it is definitely worth seeing, even if you have not seen the movie. Sitting in the ‘splash zone’ at the front will ensure that you get wet, particularly if you happen to be three red headed foreigner boys!! They were picked on to get extra wet and they loved it! Although they were glad they had their ski jackets on; warm and waterproof!
There are fantastic opportunities to meet and greet characters for photo opportunities. At some spots (like Jaws and Spiderman) there are official photographers that will take photos you can purchase later, however, you are not obliged to purchase and can still line up and take your own photos.
If you are into big roller coasters then the Hollywood dream ride is a must. The Jurassic Park Flying Dinosaur is a step up again. Imagine being strapped to a chair, having nothing below your feet and being flung face first towards the ground and then up in the air and twisting around. Sound fun?! Then this ride is for you, although I’d recommend tying long hair back or you won’t see a thing! They also have elastics to help secure your shoes to your feet if you are wearing slip ons.
If you are after something for the little ones then Universal Wonderland is the place to visit with flying Snoopy and Hello Kitty cupcake rides, Elmo’s driving, slides, water park it goes on and on! This world you can reserve the time for your ride using the Yoyakunori system.
The USJ app, has park maps and gives live wait times for the rides. It also allows booking with the Yoyakunori system and once in the park you can organise entry time for Super Nintendo World if you didn’t purchase express passes.
Harry Potter World
If you or your kids are into Harry Potter then they will love it! Have a butter beer in Hogsmeade, enjoy a meal in The Three Broomsticks, buy a chocolate frog at Honeydukes, and of course choose a wand at Ollivander’s.
Harry Potter World entry used to be restricted to timed entry only, however, this has now been relaxed (2023) and timed entry is not needed.
We are all Harry Potter fans and we loved Harry Potter world, it brought the wizarding world to life and we can’t wait to go back again. We’d recommend queuing up to enter Ollivanders. One child from each group is selected to have a wand especially chosen for them with some super cool effects. Our 12yo was lucky to be selected and he loved it as you can see from the awe on his face! You then have an opportunity to purchase the wand afterwards.
The kids all selected an interactive wand from Ollivanders. The wands interact with objects throughout Hogsmeade. The kids are guided by staff in learning to cast spells to open doors, levitate objects and make it snow!
Super Nintendo World
The newest world of the park is Nintendo World, timed tickets are needed for entry to this World (correct as of June 2024), and it truly does feel like you have stepped into the world of the video game!
Be aware that you need timed entry to be able to enter Nintendo World, this can be purchased with some of the express passes – each pass is different so read carefully what is included for the pass you purchase. However, you can have timed entry for free once you are in the park through the USJ app. Once inside just choose the timed entry and it will give you a time you can enter and lines up for the rides. You do need an entry time, we saw man people being turned away at the entrance to the World.
Food
There are many places to eat around the park and many of the restaurants are themed. We loved the pizzas at Louis’ N.Y. Pizza parlour and the feast and butter beer at The Three Broomsticks was awesome!
Evening Events
Evenings there is a night parade or in winter it is an illumination of Hogwarts Castle! We went in winter and had an awesome view of Hogwarts in the warmth of the The Three Broomsticks with butter beer and pumpkin juice!
Special events
Universal Cool Japan is an annual event specific to Universal Studios Japan, that showcases Japan’s most popular entertainment franchises. Cool Japan and other special events may require an additional ticket. Check out this page for special events.
Tickets
General Admission tickets
Tickets can be bought in Japan at the gate, from Lawson stores, green ticket windows at JR stations and hotels. General admission tickets can be bought in advance through USJ official ticket sellers (English) or through the USJ site (English). The Japanese USJ site offers additional tickets such as one and a half day tickets, twilight tickets, birthday tickets (if you join Club Universal and your birthday is in the month of or the month after entry) however this is in Japanese only, and requires some information to be entered in katakana or hiragana, a Japanese address and does not accept some foreign credit cards.
General admission 1 or 2 day tickets – you ALWAYS need this base ticket
Adults 12 years and over : from ¥8600 to ¥10900 depending on day and season (check price calendar)
Children 4-11 years: from ¥5600
Tickets available online from the USJ website are available three months in advance.
Tickets through sites such as JTB travel and Klook are available approx 2-3 months in advance.
Express Pass tickets – this is an additional ticket for faster entry and entry into Super Nintendo World
A variety of express passes can be purchased and the varieties will depend on the current park themes. This page explains the different passes. The express tickets are bought in addition to the park entry tickets and are more expensive. Please note the express tickets DO NOT include general entry, you need to buy this as well. The express tickets can be bought in Japan at the gate, at Lawson stores, hotels and green windows at JR stations or online in advance from some of the official sellers, or the USJ website.
Express tickets
Universal Express Pass 7: ¥17800 (all ages). Entry to Super Nintendo World and reduced entry time to 7 of the most popular attractions
Universal Express Pass 4: ¥9800 (all ages). Entry to Super Nintendo World and reduced entry time to 4 of the most popular attractions (which attraction depends on which ticket you purchase).
Harry Potter World no longer needs timed entry tickets. This was only needed when the world was newly opened.
Tickets through third party sites such as Klook are available approx 2 months in advance and there is less flexibility with timings for entry and rides. On the USJ site you will be able to choose times for entry to Super Nintendo World and some of the rides.
So is the express pass worthwhile?
There are two advantages of the express pass. The first is that it will guarantee you entry to Super Nintendo World.
The other huge advantage of the express pass is the fast pass onto some of the other rides. How many express rides depends on the express ticket purchased. Our last trip we bought express for the kids but not us adults to save money and they did double the rides we could and loved passing us in line!
Waiting in line to enter the park on a quiet day!
One or Two days?
USJ is smaller than the Disneyland parks and you should be able to see everything in a day, however, if you like to take your time and not be rushed you may prefer to take two days.
When to go
Check out crowd predictors to find quieter days to visit. Generally avoid weekends and Japan public or school holidays.
We went mid week in July on a day when the crowds were minimal. We had timed entry to Super Nintendo World for the kids through their express passes. For us adults we didn’t buy the express passes and then through the USJ app when we were in the park, selected our timed entry for Super Nintendo World. It was a different time to the kids but they did allow us to go in together.
How to get here
USJ is a 5 minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line. There are direct trains from Osaka station to Universal City Station.
There is also a ferry called “Captain Line” that runs between USJ and Osaka Aquarium which costs ¥700 one way and only takes 10 minutes.
Useful info and links
Single Rider: Some rides allow single riders to skip to the front of the queue. This works well if you don’t mind not sitting together or if the rest of your family does not want to do this ride. We did this for the flying dinosaur and skipped right to the front of the queue.
Child Switch: If you have a child that is not tall enough for the ride, see a crew member and they will give you a switch ticket so that when one rider has finished the ride, the other can then go to the front of the line rather than having to queue up again.
Child services and can be viewed here.
Height and ride restrictions
Closed attractions
Opening Hours and events schedule
Park maps
Crowd predictors