The only guide you need to spend the best day at Universal Studios Japan!
No Osaka holiday is complete without a trip to Universal Studios Japan! With eight themed lands and a ton of fun attractions, meet and greets, and performances, we guarantee that there's never a dull moment here at USJ!
Visiting Universal Studios Japan for the first time? We’ve got you. Here’s everything you need to know about Universal Studios Japan - what tickets to book, attractions, the works. Get ready for the best day ever!
Before You Visit Universal Studios Japan
1. Book Your Tickets to Skip the Queue
To avoid having to go early and queue at the ticket booths, you should definitely book your USJ tickets on Klook! You will receive a QR code and you can skip the ticketing booth queue and head directly to the entry gates to get into the park.
However, with an influx of tourism to Japan, we recommend that you head to the entry gates to queue at least an hour before opening time. Do remember to check the official Universal Studios Japan site for their daily opening hours!
Klook Tip: You can book the 'Early Entry Pass', which grants visitors 15 minutes early entry to the park. It will sure make you feel like a VIP!
2. Book Your Express Pass to Skip The Long Queues for the Rides
If you go to Universal Studios Japan on a weekend or during a Japanese holiday, you will see that the ride times are rather long, with some popular rides having a waiting time of 2 hours or more!
That's why we highly recommend you book a USJ Express Pass, if budget allows! You can choose between the Express Pass for 4 or 7 popular rides in Universal Studios Japan.
Additionally, you can now choose timings for your Express Pass on Klook as well!
Klook Tip: Book on Klook and you'll get to choose your timeslots for each ride on your selected express pass! This Klook-exclusive service lets you select your preferred time to enjoy each ride before you cart out.
Still unsure of which USJ ticket or Express Pass to book? Don't worry, we've got you covered in this USJ Ticket Guide!
3. Download the USJ App
We highly recommend downloading the USJ app on your phone before entering the park! Make sure to enable location access to see where you are on the park's digital map.
The app allows you to see at a glance:
- Opening hours of the park
- Ride wait times
- Various showtimes available
- Timed entry e-tickets
- Super Nintendo World Map (Access exclusive games when you buy the band)
- A digital map of the whole park
- Food and restaurants
4. Go for Single Rider if you can!
Single rider queues are shorter so if you are strapped for time, you can try to take advantage of this option to skip the long queues. This is a great option if you aren't travelling with kids or if you and your friends are alright with not sitting together for the ride.
How to Get to Universal Studios Japan
By Train
Universal Studios Japan is located at Universal-City Station which is on the JR Line, so, if you have a JR Pass, traveling to Universal Studios Japan will be convenient.
Alternatively, you can also take the Hanshin-Namba Line from Osaka-Namba Station or the Hankyu Takarazuka Line then change to the JR Line if you're travelling from Hotarugaike.
By Shuttle Bus
If you're staying around the Dotonbori area, there's an easier option to get to USJ, and that is via a shuttle bus. There are two buses scheduled each morning that will pick you up from Dotonbori and drop you off directly at USJ within 30 minutes!
This is definitely our pick to skip the hassle of multiple train transfers!
By Private Car Transfer
If you're travelling in a big group or simply just prefer comfort and convenience, you can also opt for a private car transfer that will shuttle you directly from your hotel to USJ!
Where to Stay Near Universal Studios Japan
Alternatively, if you plan to reach Universal Studios Japan bright and early, you should consider staying near the park! There are a variety of hotels around Universal Studios Japan that will fit different budgets.
Klook Tip: You can also book hotels that come with our Stay+ Packages which come with a discounted bundle on the hotel stay and Universal Studios Japan tickets!
Different Zones in Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan has eight zones to explore. The recommended duration at Universal Studios Japan is 2 days if you do not wish to get an Express Pass. However, with an Express Passes, we think it is possible to complete all USJ has to offer in a day!
Check out this Universal Studios Japan map if you need help planning your itinerary.
Wanna know what to expect in each of the themed zones? Here’s all you need to know:
1. Hollywood
As soon as you enter Universal Studios Japan, you’ll step into Hollywood where all the souvenir shops and other eateries are located. Some shops we love include - Mario Cafe & Store where the TikTok famous Mario and Luigi Dessert Caps can be found!
Hollywood has also some of the most thrilling rides, including the Hollywood Dream - The Ride, Hollywood Dream - The Ride: Backdrop and Space Fantasy - The Ride! If you're a thrill seeker, we recommend heading to these rides first as the queues for these rides can go up to 2 hours.
2. New York
This area features the streets of 1930s New York! Explore the glamorous landmarks of the era from 5th Avenue to Delancey Street.
During Christmas, you'll also get to see a giant Christmas tree in the middle of the area! Here is where you can also find The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D - The Ride, where you'll team up with our Spider-Man to defeat villains!
3. Minion Park
Are you a huge Minion fan? Then this themed land is just for you! Vibrant hues of yellow and blue adorn the lively streets and there are loads of quirky storefronts and playful attractions for people of all ages! Our favourite rides at Minion Park include Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Freeze Ray Sliders.
4. Amity Village
Amity Village offers a charming retreat that brings you back to the idyllic seaside charm of Amity Island from Steven Spielberg's iconic film 'Jaws'. The architecture has a quaint New England aesthetic, complete with weathered buildings and harbourside shops that bring you back to simpler times. Here is where you can find JAWS the ride where you'll hop onto a boat with a tour guide and you may or may not encounter a familiar "guest" ;)
5. Jurassic Park
Embark on a prehistoric adventure like no other at Jurassic Park! As you step through the imposing gates, you're transported millions of years back in time, surrounded by lush, towering foliage and the unmistakable roars of life-sized dinosaurs.
Here is where our favourite ride in Universal Studios Japan is located: The Flying Dinosaur. Feel like a bird on The Flying Dinosaur and zoom through the air at great speeds! Don't forget to also check out Jurassic Park - The Ride, which is an iconic water ride.
6. Super Nintendo World
This is where the magic of the Mushroom Kingdom comes to life! Enter the iconic green warp pipe entrance and you will be instantly transported into a living video game. The architecture of Super Nintendo World is marvellous and you will never want to leave!
Klook Tip: To enter Super Nintendo World, you'll need an Area Timed Entry Ticket. You can either get them before coming to the park on Klook (all of our express pass packages come with the Area Timed Entry Ticket) or obtain them on the day of your visit through the official app or at a ticket kiosk in the park. Distribution of Area Timed Entry Tickets may end earlier depending on the conditions of the day of the visit and do note that these run out fast, so be sure to get yours as soon as possible!
Before you start exploring Super Nintendo World, we highly recommend you get a Power-Up Band. The band allows you to collect digital coins and interact with the elements around Super Nintendo World. You can also track your score against other teams on the USJ app. Use your band to collect keys by playing a few mini-games so that you get to unlock a showdown against Bowser Jr., which is located at the Bowser Castle (this attraction is exclusive to those who have power-up bands).
The rides here are also super fun! There's Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge which is a 4D ride that makes you feel like you're in the Mario Kart game itself! You'll get to hop on a kart, ride around courses and hit your friends with items just like in the game.
We also recommend Yoshi's Adventure where you'll get to hop on Yoshi's back and go on a sightseeing tour of Super Nintendo World.
Image courtesy of Universal Studios Japan
Additionally, Universal Studios Japan recently announced Donkey Kong Country which is set to open in 2024. In this jungle where Donkey Kong and his friends live, you can hop on a mine cart from The Golden Temple for a thrilling ride through the mines, challenge yourself at a play experience using your whole body, and have loads of other wild adventures!
7. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Embark on a spellbinding journey through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! As you enter Hogsmeade Village, you'll see snow-capped roofs, cobblestone streets and not to mention the towering Hogwarts Castle that looms majestically in the background.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has lots of performances that you can catch such as Wand Studies and also some fun and thrilling rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a highly popular right so be prepared for a long wait time.
8. Universal Wonderland
Last but not least, Universal Wonderland! Universal Wonderland is a realm of joy specifically designed to captivate the imaginations of the youngest visitors. This wonderland is extremely colourful and has lots of playful designs.
Families can explore Snoopy Studios where the Peanuts gang comes to life or take a spin on Elmo's Go-Go skateboard. This themed land is perfect for families! Also, if you're a big fan of Hello Kitty, Universal Wonderland is where you can find all sorts of Hello Kitty merchandise!
Shows and parades at Universal Studios Japan
Besides exploring all the different lands and fun rides, there's also plenty of entertainment throughout the park that runs the whole day. There are various parades, character meet and greets, and performances to catch, so make sure to check out the timings of what you are interested in and head there early to queue!
For parades, we recommend that you head down to the viewing areas at least 1 hour before the parade starts to get the best view.
What to Eat at Universal Studios Japan
There are a variety of restaurants at Universal Studios Japan offering a selection of international cuisines including vegetarian and halal choices.
Klook Tip: If you're looking to eat at popular restaurants like the new Kinopio's Cafe at Super Nintendo World, we recommend that one of the first things you do when entering the park is to queue for a timed entry ticket and come back to enjoy your meal at a later time!
Our favorite must-eats at USJ:
Kinopio Cafe
Besides being very suitable for the 'gram, the food at Kinopio's Cafe is tasty! This was a perfect lunch stop as it was a proper restaurant, so we could also rest our aching legs after all the walking!
Pizza
We loved the pizza at Boardwalk Snacks in Amity Village that came in 2 different flavours - Bacon & Honey Mustard and Teriyaki Chicken. The queue for this was rather quick and there was quite a bit of seating available for you to enjoy your meal!
Mario and Luigi Desserts
Contrary to popular belief, these popular Mario-themed snacks are not found in Super Nintendo World but at Mario Cafe & Store in Hollywood!
We ordered Mario's Cap Strawberry Shortcake, Luigi's Cap No-Bake Grape Cheesecake and a warm cup of hot chocolate topped with chopped fruits and whipped cream. This was one of our favourite desserts in the park.
Butterbeer
When in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you must get a cup of refreshing butterbeer! We would describe butterbeer as a cup of butterscotch cream soda with a layer of cream foam on top. You can get this either hot, cold or frozen!
What are Universal Studios Japan's opening hours?
Universal Studios Japan’s opening hours vary a lot between seasons so it’s best to check the official USJ website for the most up-to-date information.
Universal Studios Japan typically opens between 8:00am and 9:00am and closes between 8:00pm and 9:00pm with longer opening hours on weekends and peak seasons.
Klook Tip: Besides the opening hours, you should also check the shows and attractions closure schedule. You wouldn't want to visit USJ on a date that your favorite ride is closed for maintenance!
When is the best time to visit USJ?
We recommend a good time to visit Universal Studios Japan is in April. You'll get to enjoy cooler weather and spend the rest of your days in Osaka admiring the cherry blossoms. If you want to visit the park during the off-season, we recommend that you book your tickets after May 6 or Golden Week, Japan's national week-long holiday. The general rule of thumb is to avoid weekends and public holidays if possible!
Of course, while crowds may get bigger during the holidays, it's still great and extra magical to visit Universal Studios Japan during October and November for the Halloween and Christmas events!
FAQs about Universal Studios Japan
Is Universal Studios Japan worth visiting?
Definitely yes! Universal Studios Japan is one of the most exciting theme parks in Japan and it is worth a visit especially if you're into thrilling rides and/or characters such as Mario and Luigi or Harry Potter.
Do they speak English at Universal Studios Japan?
Yes, they do speak English here. Cast members and park staff talk in English and other languages. However, do note that the English-speaking members aren't always available. Still, most signs inside the park are multilingual for everyone's convenience. You can download Google Translate just in case too!
How many days do I need in Universal Studios Japan?
The ideal length of visit is a full two days, so you'd have enough time to visit all the attractions in the park. Universal Studios Japan is a highly attractive and popular theme park so we recommend that if you do not want to get express passes, two days is ideal. If not, you can get express passes and fully enjoy a day at Universal Studios Japan.
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Top things to do in Osaka
- Attractions: Universal Studios Japan | teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka | Osaka Castle | Go Karting | Umeda Sky Building
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Getting around
- Airport transfer: Nankai Rapi:t Kansai Airport Express | JR Haruka Kansai Airport
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