Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios
In 2024 we visited Universal Studios Japan for the second time and it was a stark contrast to our first time in 2013 which was a day of steady rain and empty streets—no crowds, no lines, and just the ease of a spontaneous theme park day. We strolled up to the gate, grabbed our tickets on the spot, threw on rain jackets, enjoying the rides with absolutely no wait. Fast forward to today, and things have certainly changed. Tickets need to be purchased early and crowds are next-level, but Universal Studios has rolled with it and created an immersive, enjoyable family day out.
Check out these 2013 crowds!
Planning Your Day
The Express Pass
If this is your one and only day to spend at Universal Studios as part of your family trip, definitely buy the Express Pass. It is ludicrously expensive, but 100% worth its weight in gold. For our family of three, it cost around $820 (AUD) including 1 day Studio Passes and three Express Passes. This allowed us to experience most of the parks premium rides and experiences in the one day, versus across multiple days in long lines, or missing out on some altogether. This saved us a total of 8 hours of waiting in line, when we added up the wait times posted at the beginning of each of the ride lines.
Ticket Purchase
I highly recommend buying tickets through Klook, for ease of purchase. You select the Studio Pass you want (1 day, 1.5 days or 2 days) and the date. Then add on the Express Pass for the same date. Be sure to research the different passes on the USJ website first to see which best suits your needs. This is a great option if your day is very flexible, as times for rides and areas such as Nintendo World or Donkey Kong will be allocated to you randomly after payment.
Both the studio pass and Express Pass were able to be saved as screenshots on my phone, making it really easy to access and scan. You’ll notice that all the rides have times linked to them. These are the approximate times you are supposed to head to each ride. We stuck to our time slots at the beginning of the day; however, beyond that we were a little off and they weren’t strict on it. I hear this varies depending on how busy the park is though, so be mindful that you may need to adhere to these during peak periods.
To purchase through the USJ site, the process is the same. Unfortunately, overseas cards are not accepted as payment making it much more difficult. I was quite specific about the times I wanted for timed entry and spent about an hour, at midnight, trying to purchse tickets using three different devices and three different cards. It did eventually go through, with a definite sense of randomness to it.
All tickets are available 60 days in advance, at midnight Osaka time (GMT +9). Express passes sell quickly, particularly during peak times. Prices also vary depending on peak times.
Ticket Prices
1 Day Studio Pass Adults – ¥8600 – ¥10900
1 Day Studio Pass Children – ¥5600 – ¥6800
Express Pass (7 rides) – ¥19800 (all ages)
Express Pass (4 rides) – ¥11800 – ¥14800 (all ages)
If you decide against the Express Pass, then the USJ App will be a lifesaver. You can book Timed Entry Passes through the app for free as soon as you enter the grounds, and it also gives you live updates on line times so that you can plan your day accordingly.
Another tip, particularly if you have younger kids, or companions who won’t want to go on the rides is to utilise the single rider lines, or the parent swap. This means one parent can ride while the other looks after the kids, and then you can swap places without having to line up twice. Check which rides will allow this first.
Getting There
Universal Studios Japan is conveniently located in Osaka and is easily accessible by train, car, or bus. The most straightforward route is by train—take the JR Yumesaki Line from Osaka Station to Universal City Station, which is about a 15-minute ride. From there, it’s a quick walk to the park entrance. If you’re coming from Kansai International Airport, expect about an hour’s journey by train with a transfer at Osaka Station. For those driving, parking is available at the park but can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so arriving early is recommended.
If you are planning on visiting for more than a single day, or want to cut down your travel time to and from the park, consider checking for nearby accommodation with options for rooms suitable with children.
Exploring the Park
Super Nintendo World: A First Stop Adventure
Our first stop, and the part we were most excited about, was Super Nintendo World, and it truly felt like stepping into a Mario game! You’ll find yourself surrounded by 3D visuals, Mario-themed decor, and incredible interactive elements. If you want a fully immersive experience, consider grabbing a Power-Up Band. Available for about $50 AUD, these wristbands connect with the USJ app and let you score points, complete challenges, and ultimately compete in a grand showdown with Bowser. They’re not required but add tons of fun to the experience. It did mean waiting in a few extra lines to get through the different challenges but they weren’t too long – perhaps around 15-20 minutes while we were there. Be advised – you can fail the challenges! I assumed they were rigged, but they aren’t! You then have to rejoin the line if you want to complete the challenge in order to get to the Bowser showdown!
My favourite part in Super Nintendo World was definitely the Mario Kart Challenge – it was like a real life Mario track. Yoshi was designed with younger kids in mind, but I actually really enjoyed the peaceful birds eye view of the park! The lines for food here were huge, and the restaurants booked out in advance, so once we were finished we moved on to another area to look for snacks.
We were so disappointed to miss the opening of Donkey Kong by about two weeks!
Wandering Through Jurassic Park
We next strolled through the Jurassic Park area. Unfortunately, the Jurassic Park ride was closed, but we took some time to explore and come down from the sensory overload of Mario to enjoy the jungle-like scenery, and grab some snacks and drinks from a nearby food stall. Jurassic Park is a great spot to take pause, refresh, and get ready for more rides ahead and is also home to the Flying Dino ride which looked like a lot of fun.
Swinging into Action on the Spider-Man Ride
Next, we headed over to the Spider-Man ride—on its very last day of operation. It is now permanently closed unfortunately! It is still operational at some other Universal Studios across the globe and is definitely worth it. It is a 4D ride, with super immersive effects that make you feel like you are swinging through the city. The express pass was a winner for this ride, saving us nearly 2 hours! It was our sons first ‘real’ rollercoaster style ride and there were a few tears of shock afterwards.
Minion Park
After Spider-Man, we explored Minion Park, where we joined the line for the Minions ride and checked out a few sideshow-alley games. The Minions area is bright, fun, and has several kid-friendly activities that even adults will get a kick out of. If you have younger kids who love the movies, this spot is perfect! We really love how the lines into rides are also part of the attraction – they are themed and include lots of interactive elements, so even though we didn’t have to wait long with the Express Pass, we were kept entertained.
Lunchtime at Louie’s NY Pizza Parlor
For a late lunch, we stopped by Louie’s NY Pizza Parlor. Conveniently located near several main areas of the park, it offers classic pizza options that are quick and family-friendly. Great pizzas at theme park prices. They range between ¥1750 and ¥1950 for a slice of pizza with fries and a drink. Delicious though! We did miss out on the daily parade while eating as I hadn’t actually looked into the timing of parades or any shows, though we were able to glimpse some of it through the window (which soon got mobbed!). In hindsight, I would definitely research more into the shows and parades and plan them into the day, but we hadn’t really thought about it prior.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
After lunch, we made our way to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The detail in this area is amazing—with meticulous attention to detail and the sight of the Hogwarts Castle as the centrepiece. Ollivanders was our absolute favourite experience in Harry Potter World! The acting was next level. You are then guided into the wand gift shop, with lots of variety of different wands. They are around $50AUD and I believe they also give you additional uses around the area, much like the Mario bands; however we opted out of this one. The shops and restaurants are also intricately detailed and there was even a Monster Book of Monsters, locked away in a cage inside one store!
The Forbidden Journey Ride: As adults, we absolutely loved this! It was intense and exciting with lots of twists, turns and jump-scares! Had we been on our own, we would have lined up again but we had some parent guilt for putting our son on it, he was definitely done with being scared after this one! Little trooper! Being seated in the middle meant that the scariest experiences were aimed right at him, such as the skeletons dropping from above and the smoke breathing dragon which was centimetres from his face!
A Visit to Universal Wonderland
Next, we wandered through Universal Wonderland, an area aimed at younger kids. Our son spotted Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard, but the line was so long we skipped it and opted for the Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream ride instead. Waiting times for popular kids’ attractions can be up to two hours, which can be tough for younger kids. Thankfully, the teacup ride was a hit for all of us—one of those simple but memorable family moments and only a 15 minute wait! While we didn’t spend a lot of time in this area, it would be fantastic with younger kids with a variety of different attractions and rides to keep them all entertained and happy.
Wrapping Up with Shopping
As our day wound down, we hit the shops near the park entrance to grab a few souvenirs. We don’t usually buy much in the way of souvenirs, but we picked up a Mario fire flower for our Christmas tree, a memento of our first stop in Super Nintendo World. It took our son quite a while to decide—over an hour!—but he was happy with his choice of biscuits in keepsake Donkey Kong and Nintendo themed tins.
Important Tips and Takeaways
Timing and Flexibility
Even with the Express Pass, we didn’t get to see everything on our list. Between missing some rides and only catching a glimpse of shows in passing, it quickly became clear that if you want to see it all, you’ll need more than one day.
Food and Snacks
We found that many places were really busy, booked up using timed entry or had really long lines. If you have a particular place you want to eat at, look into how to ensure you get a spot. We bought snacks from Family Mart before arriving and got a locker by the main gate for ¥500 yen; however, the day was so packed that we never made it back to them! A backpack is the way to go if you need snacks on the go for younger kids.
Winter Weather Tips
For a winter visit, be sure to layer up! The weather can be chilly, so having some extra warmth (especially waterproof jackets) makes the day much more comfortable. Also, make sure to wear closed in and comfortable shoes for all the walking. If you get a bit chilly and need a weather break, there are shops and restaurants everywhere and some indoor performances to take in.
App & Power-Up Band
The USJ app is a must. It gives you ride wait times, a live park map, and other useful updates to help plan as you go. The Power-Up Band is a fun add-on if you’re a Mario or Donkey Kong fan, connecting to the app and offering interactive challenges.
Shows and Parades
We didn’t research or plan to see any of the shows or parades, and I wish I had. They would have provided a bit of respite from walking and no doubt kids will love them. Particularly those who are less enthused by the rides.
Managing Crowds
If you’re visiting with young kids, make use of the Express Pass wherever possible, and arrive early. Some lines were up to two hours long, which can be hard for younger children, so choosing your top priorities ahead of time can make the experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Best Photo Spots
For family photos, top picks include the Hogwarts Castle or train, the Mario World entrance, and the Jurassic Park gates. Even if you’re not into long lines, you’ll find great backdrops for memorable family photos. Consider bringing along a lightweight battery pack such as this one to keep your camera running through all the photo opportunities!
Seasonal Events
Universal Studios are always hosting a range of themed events, parades and shows. Check the website before hand as this may effect opening and closing times, or give you additional choices in attractions.
Our day at Universal Studios Japan was packed with adventure and family fun. From Mario Kart challenges to thrilling 3D rides and a bit of magic in Harry Potter World, USJ is a perfect family destination in any season. We left with unforgettable memories, a few funny moments (including more than a few startled reactions on the scarier rides), and a little Mario flower memento to remember the day.
Planning ahead is key to getting the most out of your time here, but whether you’re taking it easy or squeezing in as many rides as possible, USJ delivers a day of excitement that’s worth every moment!
