Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios Japan (USJ): 10 Essential Tips for Maximizing Your Visit
I am an annual pass holder for USJ and visit the park at least once a week. In this article, I'll share 10 essential techniques to maximize your enjoyment of USJ based on my experience.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka is a popular spot. From attractions that let you experience the world of Hollywood movies to the hugely popular Nintendo World, and special events that change with the seasons, its appeal is endless. However, due to its popularity, crowds are unavoidable.
What I've learned from my numerous visits to USJ is the knack for enjoying it efficiently. There are many secrets to fully enjoying the park, such as going at opening time, strategies for Nintendo World, recommended areas, and how to use restaurants effectively.
This article is packed with information that's useful not only for first-time visitors to USJ but also for repeat visitors.
By utilizing these techniques based on my experience, I'm sure your USJ experience will be even more wonderful!
Table of Contents
・What is USJ?
・USJ Tips 1: Go at Opening Time
・USJ Tips 2: The Mission You Should Do Right After Entering Nintendo World
・USJ Tips 3: Know How to Definitely Enter Nintendo World
・USJ Tips 4: Bring Drinks
・USJ Tips 5: Enjoy Must-Visit Areas
・USJ Tips 6: Know About Special Events
・USJ Tips 7: Highlights of Shows and Parades
・USJ Tips 8: Understand Areas Where Children Can Have Fun
・USJ Tips 9: Efficient Ways to Enjoy Restaurants
・USJ Tips 10: Shop Early
What is USJ?
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is the first "Universal Studios" theme park outside of America, which opened in Konohana-ku, Osaka City in 2001.
While it's characterized by attractions and shows that let you experience the world of Hollywood movies, in recent years it has become even more attractive with collaboration events with Japanese anime and the addition of the highly popular Nintendo World.
Access to USJ
Access to USJ is very convenient. The nearest station is "Universal City Station" on the JR Yumesaki Line, and it's just a short walk from the station to the park.
It takes about 15 minutes by train from Osaka Station. I go there every week, and this convenience really helps. I think it's a big attraction for foreign visitors as well, being easily accessible from the center of Osaka.
How Much Are USJ Tickets?
As of 2024, USJ ticket prices have adopted a dynamic pricing system. This is a system where prices fluctuate based on predicted visitor numbers. Prices tend to be higher on weekends and popular periods like Halloween.
Specifically, as of 2024, 1-day tickets can be purchased for adults from 8,600 yen to 10,900 yen, and for children from 5,600 yen to 6,800 yen.
There are also advantageous tickets like the 1.5-Day Studio Pass and 2-Day Studio Pass. These tickets are recommended for those who want to enjoy USJ over two days.
My advice is to purchase tickets online in advance. It's a waste of time to queue for same-day tickets, and they might sell out on popular days.
USJ Tips 1: Go at Opening Time
The first technique to maximize your enjoyment of USJ is to go at opening time. This is one of the most important points I've learned as an annual pass holder.
USJ's opening time varies depending on the season, but what's important is that it often opens 45 minutes to an hour earlier than the official opening time.
For example, if the official opening time is 8:30 AM, you can often enter from 7:30 AM.
From my experience, to maximize enjoyment, it's best to arrive at the site an hour before the official opening time.
You don't need to wait from early morning for the opening, but it's good to arrive at least 30 minutes before the official opening time.
By arriving early, you can minimize the time spent queuing for popular attractions. This early arrival is particularly important for securing a timed entry ticket for Nintendo World, which I'll explain in more detail later.
USJ Tips 2: The Mission You Should Do Right After Entering Nintendo World
Nintendo World is an absolute must-visit spot in USJ, perfectly recreating the world of games.
I myself make new discoveries every time I visit and never get bored. However, this area is extremely popular, so entry is restricted and a timed entry ticket is required.
There are mainly two ways to get a timed entry ticket. One is to get it from the ticket machines on-site, and the other is to use the official app.
I recommend using the official app. The language settings can be changed, so it's easy to operate even for foreign visitors.
Here are the steps to get a timed entry ticket using the app:
1. Scan the QR codes of everyone's tickets in the official app (one representative can do this for the whole group).
2. After entering USJ, use the app to get timed entry tickets for Nintendo World for everyone in your group at your desired time slot.
Note that you can't get timed entry tickets until you enter USJ. That's why it's important to arrive early, as I explained in Technique 1.
From my experience, timed entry tickets usually run out after 10:00 AM. Therefore, by going at opening time, you can almost certainly get a timed entry ticket.
Furthermore, right after opening, there's sometimes "free entry", where you can enter without a timed entry ticket.
USJ Tips 3: Know How to Definitely Enter Nintendo World
Nintendo World is really popular, and it can be difficult to get timed entry tickets. Especially if you visit USJ later in the day, you might not be able to enter.
However, there is a way to ensure entry. That's by purchasing an "Express Pass".
An Express Pass is a ticket that allows you to ride attractions with priority. In particular, if you purchase an Express Pass that includes Nintendo World attractions, entry to the area is guaranteed.
I'm an annual pass holder, but when I go with friends or family on days when crowds are expected, I sometimes purchase an Express Pass. This Express Pass is particularly effective for foreign visitors who want to enjoy USJ in a limited time.
However, note that Express Passes are popular and often sell out on the day. Therefore, if you're planning to go to USJ, I recommend purchasing one as early as possible.
There are also multiple types of Express Passes with different price ranges. It's also attractive that you can choose based on your budget and length of stay.
USJ Tips 4: Bring Drinks
Surprisingly important when enjoying USJ is bringing drinks. I always bring a water bottle every time. USJ allows you to bring in drinks in plastic bottles or water bottles of 500ml or less.
Drinks in the park are a bit expensive, and vending machines are often crowded. Especially in summer, it's important to be able to hydrate constantly as you can easily get exhausted from the heat.
However, there are some points to note. Cans, alcoholic beverages, and food (except for candies and gum) cannot be brought in. This is a rule considering safety and hygiene.
For foreign visitors, the summer heat and humidity in Osaka might be surprising. Therefore, frequent hydration is really important.
From my experience, bringing drinks allows you to effectively use waiting times and moving times within the park. If you can hydrate while waiting for attractions, you can enjoy the park comfortably for a longer time.
USJ Tips 5: Enjoy Must-Visit Areas
USJ is vast, and it's difficult to enjoy all areas and attractions in one day. Especially if you're not using an Express Pass, it's important to go around efficiently.
From my experience, there are three must-visit recommended areas. I'll introduce the appeal and how to enjoy each area.
Nintendo World
Nintendo World is an area that surprisingly faithfully recreates the world of Nintendo games. When I first visited here, I felt like I had stepped into a game.
The main attractions in this area are "Mario Kart" and "Yoshi's Adventure".
In particular, "Mario Kart" is an innovative attraction using AR technology, allowing you to experience a race just like in the game. It's attractive that even foreign visitors can enjoy it without feeling a language barrier.
Also, in 2024, the opening of a Donkey Kong area connected to Nintendo World is planned. This will allow for an even more vast and immersive world to be enjoyed.
There is one restaurant and one shop for light meals in the area. At "Kinopio's Cafe", you can taste dishes made by Chef Kinopio. It's full of special menus that you can only eat here, enjoyable both in appearance and taste.
However, as this area has entry restrictions, you need a knack to enter. Refer to the methods explained in Techniques 2 and 3 to ensure you can enter.
Harry Potter Area
The Harry Potter area is an area that surprisingly faithfully recreates the world of the movies. When I first visited here, I felt the excitement of stepping into a magical world.
The charm of this area is the scenery that's detailed down to the smallest parts. The townscape of Hogsmeade Village and the grand figure of Hogwarts Castle are impressive even if you're not a Harry Potter fan.
Previously, a timed entry ticket was needed like for Nintendo World, but now you can basically enter freely.
There are two main attractions. The first is "Forbidden Journey" inside Hogwarts Castle. This is a state-of-the-art attraction that combines 3D visuals and real effects, allowing you to experience flying around the magical world.
However, the movement is intense, so those who are not good with rides or have just eaten should be careful.
The second is a roller coaster called "Flight of the Hippogriff". This is a relatively gentle ride that even children can enjoy.
There's a restaurant called "Three Broomsticks" in the area where you can taste dishes that appear in the work. Especially recommended is "Butterbeer". It has a sweet and creamy taste, and doesn't contain alcohol, so children can enjoy it too.
My recommended way to enjoy is to first fully appreciate the atmosphere of the area. Then, experience wand selection at "Ollivanders" before riding the attractions.
After that, enjoy the attractions, and finish with Butterbeer.
It's a recommended area where even those who are not good with intense attractions can enjoy the magical world atmosphere and meals at the restaurant.
Minion Area
The Minion area is a very pop and bright atmosphere area where cute yellow Minions are everywhere.
There are two attractions in this area. Both can be enjoyed by children and don't have much of a language barrier. The unique "Minion language" of the Minions has a charm that can be understood universally around the world.
A little away from the area is a restaurant called "Happiness Cafe" where you can enjoy Minion food. Here, you can taste cute dishes and desserts modeled after Minions.
The charm of the Minion area is its bright and fun atmosphere. There are also many photo spots, making it popular as an Instagram-worthy place. Especially, taking a photo with the big Minion object is recommended.
For foreign visitors, it will be a fun area that can be enjoyed without feeling a language barrier. It's a space that can be fully enjoyed not only by those with children but also by adults alone.
USJ Tips 6: Know About Special Events
One of the charms of USJ is that various special events are held throughout the year. As an annual pass holder, I look forward to these events every year.
Among them, the most popular is the Halloween event held from September to October.
During the Halloween event period, USJ completely changes its appearance. During the day, it's decorated with cute decorations, but at night, the entire park turns into a stage of fear.
Zombies suddenly appear and surprise visitors. This is part of an event called "Zombie de Dance", where costumed staff appear throughout the park and interact with visitors.
Furthermore, dance events in collaboration with popular musicians in Japan are also a big attraction. In 2024, an event in collaboration with popular singer Ado will be held.
Personally, I find the night events with zombies appearing particularly fun. However, it might be a bit too stimulating for small children or those who are easily scared.
For such people, I recommend enjoying the cute Halloween decorations during the day.
Also, for those who don't like zombies, there's a "Safety Zone" prepared where zombies don't appear.
Besides Halloween, USJ frequently holds collaboration events with popular Japanese anime.
In 2024, a show-type attraction of the popular anime "Detective Conan" opened. Also, special attractions and restaurants in collaboration with "Demon Slayer" have appeared.
These anime collaboration events will be a very attractive experience for foreign visitors interested in Japanese pop culture. It's a valuable opportunity to experience the world of Japanese anime in real life.
My advice is to check the current event information on the official website or social media before visiting USJ.
By doing so, you can enjoy the park more effectively according to your interests. Also, for popular events, crowds are expected, so it's good to consider arriving early or purchasing tickets in advance.
USJ Tips 7: Highlights of Shows and Parades
Shows and parades at USJ are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the park. I look forward to them every time too.
However, as a personal opinion, they might not have the large-scale luxury of Disney. But each has its own charm and is thoroughly enjoyable.
One point to note is that most shows are conducted in Japanese and often don't have subtitles. Therefore, it might be difficult for foreign visitors who don't understand Japanese to fully understand the content.
However, there are shows that can be enjoyed regardless of language. Particularly recommended is the "NO LIMIT! Parade" held during the day. This parade is full of visual charm that can be enjoyed without worrying about language.
The charm of the "NO LIMIT! Parade" is that USJ's main characters all gather together. Not only Hollywood movie characters but also popular Japanese characters like Mario and Pokemon appear.
Colorful floats, fun music, and dancers' performances come together to liven up the entire park.
The parade's schedule varies depending on the season. I recommend checking the latest schedule on the official app. The app supports multiple languages, so foreign visitors can easily get information.
It's a show that can be enjoyed visually beyond language barriers, so it's sure to be a memorable event during your USJ stay.
USJ Tips 8: Understand Areas Where Children Can Have Fun
While USJ has an image of having many intense attractions for adults, there are actually many areas where children can have fun too.
When I visit USJ with friends who have children, we always stop by "Wonderland" near the entrance of the Harry Potter area.
"Wonderland" is an area where children's attractions are gathered. Here, there are attractions themed around characters popular with children such as Sesame Street, Snoopy, and Hello Kitty.
There are many relatively gentle rides, so even small children can enjoy them safely.
The charm of this area is not just the attractions. There are also many photo spots with characters. Being able to take photos with children's favorite characters becomes a precious memory.
Furthermore, there are shops and restaurants in this area. At the "Snoopy Goods Shop", you can purchase cute park-exclusive goods.
The restaurants also have a rich selection of children's menus, making them ideal for family meals.
What's particularly noteworthy is the Sesame Street building at the very back of this area. This is actually a hidden rest spot.
Chairs and vending machines are installed, and it's especially valuable as a cool place in summer. For those with children, it will be a precious space to take a breather.
USJ Tips 9: Efficient Ways to Enjoy Restaurants
Meals at USJ are an important part of the park experience. However, if you don't use time efficiently, you might lose precious time on meals. From my experience, I'll share techniques on how to use restaurants smartly.
There are broadly two types of restaurants at USJ: "Restaurants where you can make reservations at the storefront" and "Restaurants you can enter by queuing".
First, there are three restaurants where you can make reservations at the storefront: Park Side Grille, Finnegan's, and SAIDO (which is a Demon Slayer restaurant in 2024).
At these restaurants, you can make same-day reservations by scanning the QR code at the storefront and selecting your visit time.
This reservation system is very convenient for foreign visitors too. You can easily make reservations on your smartphone without worrying about language barriers.
My recommendation is to decide on your meal time and make a reservation as soon as you arrive at the park. By doing so, you can secure time to enjoy attractions while having smooth meals.
For other restaurants, you can basically enter by queuing. However, during peak hours, there can be long lines.
From my experience, restaurants are often empty around 10:00 AM. Therefore, I recommend having an early lunch.
There are also various snack stands in the park. These have short queuing times and you can eat while moving, allowing for efficient use of time.
USJ Tips 10: Shop Early
Buying souvenirs is an essential part of creating memories at USJ. However, as closing time approaches, souvenir shops become extremely crowded. From my experience, I'll share techniques on how to efficiently purchase souvenirs.
First, it's important to avoid the crowds near closing time. About 1-2 hours before closing time, many visitors start buying souvenirs all at once.
As a result, long lines form at shops, and there's a possibility that the items you want might sell out.
I recommend finishing your shopping between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. During this time, many people are still enjoying attractions, so shops are relatively empty.
I advise purchasing popular character goods and park-exclusive items early.
For foreign visitors, there's also the joy of looking for uniquely Japanese souvenirs.
USJ has many products that collaborate Japanese traditional motifs with characters. For example, Minion goods with Japanese patterns make wonderful souvenirs that fuse Japanese-ness with USJ's charm.
USJ is a wonderful theme park where you can enjoy various entertainment from the world of Hollywood movies to Nintendo's popular characters and Japanese anime.
By utilizing these techniques I've learned as an annual pass holder visiting many times, your USJ experience should be more fulfilling.
For foreign visitors, there might be scenes where you feel a language barrier. However, many of USJ's attractions are full of visual charm that transcends language.
Also, the crew members are accustomed to supporting foreign visitors. If you have any troubles, don't hesitate to ask for help.
Finally, USJ continues to create new attractions. The information introduced in this article may change depending on the time. Therefore, I recommend checking the latest information on the official website before your visit.
I hope your day at USJ becomes a wonderful memory for everyone!
