Universal Studios Japan Guide

Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is a must-see attraction for many visitors to Japan. Here is our full guide, with transport information, ticket information and insider tips to skipping lines and getting the most out of your visit.

Universal Studios Japan - image © Chris Rowthorn

Introduction and Contents

If you love amusement parks or have kids that do, you should definitely visit Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan (USJ). The combination of Universal Studios magic and Japanese efficiency makes it one of the most enjoyable amusement parks anywhere. But it’s busy all year round, so you really have to plan carefully and buy tickets and Express Passes in advance to make the most of a visit. Here, we give you all the information you need to skip lines, ride the most rides, and have the most fun.

This guide is divided into the following sections:

• Admission fees, ticket types and Universal Express Passes
• How to buy tickets and Express Passes
• Transport to Universal Studios Japan
• Exploring Universal Studios Japan
• Park map
• Handy money-saving and time-saving tips
• Recommended accommodation for Universal Studios Japan

Best Hotels in Osaka Bay

Hotel UniversalLuxuryMore Info

Hyatt Regency OsakaLuxuryMore Info

Quintessa HotelMid-RangeMore Info

Park Front HotelFamilyMore Info

Admission fees, ticket types and Universal Express Passes

General Admission Tickets

Ticket prices - image © Chris Rowthorn

Here are the basic admission prices for the park:

• Adult 1 day/2day: Y7,315/Y12,408
• Child 1 day/2 day: Y5,000/Y8,334
• Senior 1 day: Y6,575
• Handicapped adult 1 day: Y3,658
• Handicapped child 1 day: Y2,500

Adults are anyone over 12 years of age. Children are anyone between the ages of 4 and 11. Seniors are anyone over the age of 65.

The best way to get tickets and avoid waiting on line is to purchase tickets in advance online. See the following section for more details.

Universal Express Passes

Universal Express Passes - image © Chris Rowthorn

Universal Express Passes allow you to skip the lines for the most popular rides in the park. There are several types of express passes. Here are the three most popular Express Passes:

Universal Express Pass 7

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (timed entry)
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Hollywood Dream The Ride: Backdrop
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man The Ride
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride OR Backdraft
• Jurassic Park – The Ride OR Terminator 2 3D

Prices vary by date, but they average around US$80 per pass. These are almost always sold out at the park during busy periods, so we suggest buying them well in advance with an online service.

Universal Express Pass 4 Regular

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man The Ride OR Jurassic Park The Ride
• Jaws OR Terminator 2 3D OR Backdraft

Prices vary by date, but they average around US$50 per pass. These are almost always sold out at the park during busy periods, so we suggest buying them well in advance through an online service.

Universal Express Pass 4 The Flying Dinosaur

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The Flying Dinosaur
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man The Ride OR Jurassic Park The Ride
• Jaws OR Terminator 2 3D OR Backdraft

Prices vary by date, but they average around US$50 per pass. These are almost always sold out at the park during busy periods, so it's a good idea to buy them well in advance via an online service.

How To Buy Tickets and Express Passes

USJ ticket counter - image © Chris Rowthorn

• You can buy tickets and Universal Express Passes at the counters at the main entrance to the park. However, there are two reasons why you shouldn’t do this: 1) there are often long lines at the counters, and 2) the Universal Express Passes are almost always sold out during popular times.
• You can also purchase USJ tickets and Express Passes from kiosks at convenience stores in Japan. However, these are in Japanese, which makes it impossible for people who don’t read Japanese.
• The best way to purchase tickets is online with a reliable and efficient online ticket store. When you purchase online, you can print it out and skip the lines at the ticket windows. You just scan your ticket at the turnstile and walk into the park.

Transport to USJ

Train to USJ - image © Chris Rowthorn

• USJ is 7km southwest of downtown Osaka, on reclaimed land beside Osaka Bay. It is very easy to get there from central Osaka. The journey takes about 15 minutes on JR trains (so you can use a Japan Rail Pass the whole way). Here’s how to get there from JR Osaka Station.
• Here’s a summary of the basic route: Take the JR Osaka Kanjo-sen (Osaka Loop Line) from JR Osaka Station to Nishikujo Station and switch to the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal-city Station.
• Here are the details: Start at JR Osaka Station. Look for the signs for the Osaka Loop Line (Osaka Kanjo Sen in Japanese).

Osaka Loop Line sign - image © Chris Rowthorn

When you get to the Loop Line platform, wait at platform 1 and board an Osaka Loop Line train bound for Nishikujo. There are signs on platform 1 indicating Universal City, which is very helpful. Be sure to board a Loop Line train here, as other trains stop here that don’t stop at Nishikujo, which is where you must change trains.

Platform 1 sign to Universal-city - image © Chris Rowthorn

Board a Loop Line train bound for Nishikujo. Nishikujo station is three stops from Osaka Station and the ride takes about five minutes. There are helpful displays in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese that show you where you are and the following stops.

Station display in Loop Line train - image © Chris Rowthorn

Get off at Nishikujo Station and walk to platform 3. This will be marked for Universal-city.

Nishikujo platform 3 sign - image © Chris Rowthorn

At platform three, board a JR Yumesaki Line train bound for Universal-city. When we visited, the trains were painted with USJ themes, so they were impossible to miss.

Yumesaki Line train - image © Chris Rowthorn

Universal-city Station is two stops from Nishikujo

Universal-city Station sign - image © Chris Rowthorn

Exit Universal-city Station and follow the signs (and crowds) to Universal City and Universal Studios Japan. Universal City is a bunch of shops and restaurants located just before the entrance to Universal Studios Japan.

Exit to Universal City - image © Chris Rowthorn

Walk through Universal City and you will soon come to the entrance to Universal Studios Japan.

Universal City - image © Chris Rowthorn

Here’s the main entrance from outside.

USJ main entrance - image © Chris Rowthorn

Exploring Universal Studios Japan

Universal Globe - image © Chris Rowthorn

Here, we’ll give a basic walkthrough of the park and mention the main rides and areas. All of the attractions and areas mentioned here are on our special Universal Studios Japan Map at the end of this section.

Universal Studios is divided into nine zones:

• Hollywood
• Universal Wonderland
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Amity Village
• Waterworld
• Jurassic Park
• San Francisco
• Minion Park
• New York

We’ll introduce each of these in turn.

Hollywood

The Hollywood zone is the first one you’ll enter as soon as you pass through the gates. You’ll find yourself in the main arcade first. This is a shopping and dining zone.

Main Arcade - image © Chris Rowthorn

If you turn right out of the arcade, you’ll soon get to the entrance to Hollywood Dream The Ride, which is a great roller coaster and Hollywood Dream The Ride Backdrop, a great REVERSE roller coaster.

Hollywood Dream The Ride and Backdrop Entrance - image © Chris Rowthorn

Hollywood Dream The Ride - image © Chris Rowthorn

Universal Wonderland

Just past the entrance to Hollywood Dream The Ride, you will find the entrance to Universal Wonderland. This section of the park is best for kids ages three to seven, but plenty of older kids and adults also seem to enjoy this place.

Universal Wonderland entrance - image © Chris Rowthorn

Here are some of the main rides you will find in Universal Wonderland:

The Flying Snoopy:

The Flying Snoopy - image © Chris Rowthorn

Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream:

Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream - image © Chris Rowthorn

Big Bird’s Big Top Circus:

Big Bird’s Big Top Circus - image © Chris Rowthorn

Moppy’s Balloon Trip:

Moppy’s Balloon Trip - image © Chris Rowthorn

Sesame’s Big Drive:

Sesame’s Big Drive - image © Chris Rowthorn

Elmo’s Little Drive:

Elmo’s Little Drive - image © Chris Rowthorn

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

As soon as you emerge from Universal Wonderland and take a right, you will find an open area with several standing rocks that resemble Stonehenge, in England. This is the entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Just follow the crowds through the mysterious forest to get to this world.

The main attractions here are Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is a ride that takes you through the world of Harry Potter, and the Hippogriff, which is a “family-friendly” roller coaster. Note that you can walk through Hogwarts Castle without going on any of the rides.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter entrance - image © Chris Rowthorn

After walking about 100 meters, you arrive at the gate of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter gate - image © Chris Rowthorn

Pass through the gate and you’ll immediately see Hogwarts Express on your right.

Hogwarts Express - image © Chris Rowthorn

In front of you will be the main arcade of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - image © Chris Rowthorn

Rising over all of it is the incredible Hogwarts Castle.

Hogwarts Castle - image © Chris Rowthorn

Amity Village and Jaws

After leaving the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’ll soon see Amity Village on your right. This is home to the famous Jaws ride, which USJ describes as “a boat ride of fear.”

Jaws entrance - image © Chris Rowthorn

Waterworld

Just past Amity Village and Jaws is Waterworld. The attraction here is a show that resembles the climactic scene of the movie Waterworld. Check showtimes carefully to avoid wasting time. Note that at the time of writing (June 2018), this attraction was being renovated. We’ll let you know as soon as it reopens.

Jurassic Park

Directly next to Waterworld is Jurassic Park. This is home to two extremely popular rides: Jurassic Park The Ride, which is a water ride, and the Flying Dinosaur, which is a fantastic upside-down roller coaster.

The Flying Dinosaur - image © Chris Rowthorn

San Francisco

Next along is San Francisco, which is one of the smaller zones of the park. This is home to Backdraft, which is a simulation of the fire scenes in the movie Backdraft.

San Francisco - image © Chris Rowthorn

Minion Park

Just past San Francisco you will find the entrance Minion Park.

Minion Park - image © Chris Rowthorn

Here is where you will find the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, which simulates the experience of becoming a minion.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem - image © Chris Rowthorn

New York

The final zone is New York, which is where you will find the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride. This ride is a 3D experience of the world of Spiderman.

The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman The Ride entrance - image © Chris Rowthorn

If you continue around in the same direction, you’ll find yourself back in the Hollywood zone, and near the main entrance and exit of the park.

Universal Studios Japan Park Map

The park map given out at USJ is not particularly easy to use. Our map is much more realistic and designed for use on a smartphone. You can view the full size version in Google Maps too.

Handy Money-Saving and Time-Saving Tips

Your time at USJ can either be one of the best days of your life, or a miserable series of long lines and unhappy kids. Good planning and good timing can make all the difference. Here are some handy tips.

• 1) Buy your USJ admission ticket and your Universal Express Pass in advance online.
• 2) If you decide not to buy an Express Pass, at least consider buying a USJ VIP Wristband. This allows you to enter the park before other visitors (pretty much eliminating the need to wait on line). It also gets you entry to the Harukas 300 Building in Tennoji, Osaka, the highest building in western Japan.
• 3) Check the wait-time monitors and information boards around the park.
• 4) Check the weather in advance and dress appropriately. Don’t underestimate how cold it can be in the winter and how hot in the summer. And, consider a folding umbrella if there is a chance of rain.
• 5) Try to go on weekdays that are not holidays. This means that the park will be less crowded with local visitors.
• 6) Buy some snacks in advance. There are several convenience stores outside the main gate, in the Universal City Walk arcade.
• 7) Wait for popular rides on the single-rider lines. These are almost always shorter than the regular lines.
• 8) Stay near the park to minimize transport time (see the following section for some recommended hotels).

Check Osaka Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Fri 13 Dec 2024

Check-out date

Sat 14 Dec 2024

Recommended Accommodation for Universal Studios Japan

USJ is only 15 minutes or so by train from central Osaka, so you can stay in the center of the city and visit USJ. But, staying at the park makes everything easier and more convenient. The hotels listed here are all within easy walking distance of USJ. There are some great restaurants in the Universal City Walk arcade, right outside the park entrance. These are listed in order of preference.

• The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  This stylish and comfortable hotel is less than a one-minute walk to the main entrance of USJ. Rooms are spacious by Japanese standards, there are some great views from the rooms, and the staff is welcoming. It’s a great choice for a stay at the park.
• Hotel Universal Port
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  This excellent hotel is a bit further from the park entrance than other hotels. It will take you between 5 and 10 minutes to get to the entrance, which is not a great hardship considering how much walking you will do in the park, but it’s something to keep in mind. The lobby and some of the rooms are decorated with a Minions theme, which might keep the kids entertained.
• The Singulari Hotel and Skyspa at Universal Studios Japan
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located above Universal-city Station and a short walk from the park entrance, this oddly-named hotel is a very good choice. We particularly like the open-air bathing area on the 14th floor, which offers great views of the Osaka Harbor area. Some rooms also have great views. It’s a great choice and highly recommended if you can get a good rate here.
• Hotel Keihan Universal Tower
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Keihan Universal Tower is a decent mid-range hotel just one minute’s walk from USJ. Rooms are a bit cramped, but the rates here are often very competitive.
• Hotel Kintetsu Universal City
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Kintetsu Universal City, like the other hotels in this section, is very close to the park’s main entrance. It’s an older hotel but it’s well run. Some of the rooms are designed with themes from Universal characters, which might interest the kids.

Near To Here:
Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka's bay area. See our complete list of things to do in the Osaka's bay area, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

Where Are These Places Located?

See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Osaka District Map

• Shin-Osaka Area
• Kita Area
• Central Osaka Area
• Minami Area
• Tennoji Area
• Osaka Castle Area
• Osaka Bay Area