Universal Studios Japan – Going on a vacation to Japan must be the moment you’ve been waiting for, right? If you’re planning to visit Universal Studios Japan, you must read this article until the end!
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This is How You Get to Universal Studios Japan!
There are many routes for you to get to Universal Studios Japan. Two of them are from Kansai International Airport and Osaka Station. You can take train transportation which will make your journey easier!
From Kansai International Airport, it is approximately an hour to Universal-City Station. Take the JR Hanwa Line or Kansai International Airport Express Line and transit at Nishi-Kujo Station. Then, continue with JR Yumesaki Line or Sakurajima Line to Universal-City Station.
If you depart from Osaka Station, you can take the JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishi-Kujo Station. After that, continue with the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal-City Station.
Select the Ticket Category, Studio Pass & Express Pass
Planning a trip to Universal Studios Japan? Here’s an important update about the ticket system! Starting May 6, 2025, USJ no longer sells tickets at the entrance gate. That means all tickets must be purchased online, including the Studio Pass, Express Pass, and VIP Entry Pass.
There’s also a change in the ticket release schedule. Beginning April 26, 2025, tickets go on sale 93 days before your visit date. So, it’s a good idea to plan ahead—especially if you’re visiting during peak season or school holidays.
Don’t want to waste time standing in long lines? That’s why Express Passes are a fan favorite. They let you skip the regular queues for the most popular rides. And now, there are even new types of Express Passes available!
Pro tip: each Express Pass includes different ride combinations. So before you buy, make sure to pick the one that matches your itinerary. Also, check if your pass includes access to special areas that require a timed entry ticket—that way, your visit will be smooth and hassle-free!
Konnichiwa~ It’s Time to Explore All the Fun Zones
Now you’re ready to go, start your adventures in Harry Potter’s World to the streets of Hollywood, New York, and San Francisco! Here are the zones!
1. Entering the Magical Word at THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER™
You must experience THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER™ here at Universal Studios Japan! Take the Flight of the Hippogriff™, a roller coaster that’ll bring you through Hagrid’s Forest. Also, try The Forbidden Journey™ for a VR ride that shows dragons and Dementors!
Besides that, you can watch the talent show of students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang magic school. When you’re done with the fun activities, stop by Hog’s Head to sip the iconic non-alcoholic drink, Butterbeer™!
Before moving to the next zone, there are many Harry Potter souvenir shops. One of them is the Ollivanders™ which sells magic wands. Find your favorite character’s wand for your new collection!
2. Play Popular Games in Real Life at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Do you ever wonder what it’s like to play Nintendo games in the real world? Go to the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™! It has the awesome Mario Bros race ride, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™. Then, take Yoshi’s Adventure™ to find mysterious eggs & see the view of Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole!
Another experience for you is Power-Up Band™ Key Challenges! You will wear a Power-Up Band™ & collect the keys spread across SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™. After you get 3 keys, you’ll be able to enter Bowser Jr. Final Battle~
Complete your time here by taking pictures with Mario, Luigi, and other adorable characters~ Don’t forget to enjoy Kinopio’s Cafe to taste the delicious mushroom soup and pick up something cute at the souvenir shop!
It’s so exciting, right? Moreover, there is a Super Mario Power-Up Summer. You can have fun & play with a water gun in the zone from July 5 – August 24, 2023.
Not too far from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, there is an annual ONE PIECE PREMIER SUMMER 2023 event from July 5 – October 10, 2023, in the WaterWorld zone. It’s a special event for all, especially One Piece fans or Nakama!
3. Universal Wonderland, a Zone Full of Adorable Characters
As a character-themed park area, Universal Wonderland is also home to Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and many more.
Test your adrenaline by riding Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard, fly high with The Flying Snoopy that takes you up & down, to spin in the big cupcake at Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream. Then, enjoy the character parade down the road!
A variety of thematic restaurants are available. There are Hello Kitty’s Corner Café & Snoopy’s™ Backlot Café with many delicious dishes! If you want to shop for all Hello Kitty, Snoopy, or Sesame Street merchandise, you can visit the stores at Universal Wonderland!
4. Minion Park, Play with Kevin and All of His Minion Friends
Ba ba ba ba banana~ Yup, Minion Park is the next area you have to explore! Join the Minions on an adventure in a super exciting simulation ride Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem. Not only that, but you can also ride Freeze Ray Sliders mini cars on ice-themed tracks!
Get ready to see the Minion Mecha-Cawa Easter Greeting parade and meet them in person! If you want to try the snack, stop by POP-A-NANA to eat banana-flavored popcorn, then go to Delicious Me! The Cookie Kitchen to taste their cookie sandwiches!
Before leaving Minion Park, you can go to Delicious Me! Photo Opportunity for some cool pictures. And there are a couple of souvenir shops, a Fun Store, and a Minions Pop Shop.
5. Jurassic Park, Travel Back in Time to the Dinosaur Age
This is the zone with lots of thrilling attractions, t-mates! First, you can try the speed-fast roller coaster, The Flying Dinosaur, which makes you feel like flying with Pteranodon!
Next, make sure to try a wet ride, Jurassic Park – The Ride, that will slide you down from 29.5 meters! If you want to take a break, go to the streets and meet various types of dinosaurs at Jurassic Park Dinosaur Meet & Greet.
The restaurant selections are also very diverse. You can try the famous snack Turkey Leg in the food cart near Jurassic Park – The Ride. Not only that, but you can also visit Discovery Restaurant for their rice bowl menus to fill up your energy!
6. Amity Village, Shark Terror Experience From ‘JAWS’
How would it feel if you were in the Hollywood movie JAWS? Here is your chance to get real-life experience! The JAWS ride is a boat tour scenario that is later attacked by a large shark. You have to survive and finish the ride!
After riding a thrilling ride, you can take a short break while enjoying ice cream at Amity Ice Cream. You can also find various food, from pizza at Boardwalk Snacks to sandwiches at Amity Landing Restaurant.
Make sure to take pictures with the huge shark replica statue in Jaws Photo for rememberings good times here! On top of that, don’t miss Amity Island Gifts to buy unique JAWS items!
7. Strolling Around Hollywood, New York, & Time San Francisco
Before finishing your day at Universal Studios Japan, it’s time to walk down the pave way of famous cities from the United States! Firstly stroll into the Hollywood area where you can try the most exciting rides, Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop, a rollercoaster that slides backward.
Moving to New York, you will be on an adventure with Spider-Man and find The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D – The Ride with the best 4K3D technology in the world!
Lastly, satisfy your taste buds by eating Asian and Western dishes at HAPPINESS CAFE® to complete your journey in Universal Studios Japan!
Make Your Dreams Come True and Have a Fun Holiday at Universal Studios Japan
Now that you know all the excitement at Universal Studios Japan, which area do you want to visit first? Don’t forget to take your bestie or family for a more memorable trip!
To make your trip to Japan even more exciting, don’t forget to grab the Have Fun in Japan Pass too! This pass is perfect for those planning to explore multiple fun destinations over two full weeks—not just Universal Studios Japan, but other popular spots around the country as well. With just one pass, you can enjoy a variety of top activities without the hassle of buying separate tickets.
Don’t forget to include a visit to Expo 2025 Osaka in your itinerary while you’re in Japan! This world-class event will be one of the biggest highlights of the year, showcasing futuristic innovations, culture, and entertainment from around the globe. It’s the perfect addition to your Japan adventure, especially if you’re already planning to visit Osaka. Want to know what to expect and how to prepare? Read the full guide here.
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