Universal Studios Japan Guidebook
Universal Studios Japan Guidebook
I visit USJ about 40 times in one year.
Because I love and am a maniac of it so much, sometimes I appear on TV programs related to USJ.
Therefore, I wrote this article for who are going to USJ the first time:
what you should know, and what you should experience.
Be sure to bookmark on your phone, and check it out on the day too when you are going.
How to go by train
I will introduce how to go to Universal Studios Japan using public transportation.
The nearest station to Universal Studios Japan is JR Universal City Station.
There are no other private railway or subway stations.
You can also take a highway bus from the airport to Universal Studios Japan.
After arriving in Japan
USJ belongs to Osaka prefecture.
The nearest international airports are Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport.
Flights to Narita Airport might be most common to Japan.
It will be smoother if you take a domestic flight from Narita Airport to either airport.
Going to Osaka by plane takes 1 hour and 30 minutes approx.
If you use trains from Kansai International Airport (for example), it takes 1 hour 20 minutes to Universal Studios Japan.
Totally takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. to 4 hours considering the transfer etc.
When you choose to travel by plane, you may be able to see Mt. Fuji from above, depending on your flight route.
By Shinkansen
Another option is to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station.
Starting from the airport to USJ, travel time by Shinkansen would be about 4 hours and 30 minutes in total.
If you are sightseeing in Tokyo, travel time would be about 3 hours from Tokyo station.
If the weather is good, you can see Mt.Fuji on the Shinkansen.
When you arrive at Shin-Osaka Station on the Shinkansen, you will arrive at the location marked “You are here" on the map above.
Every train stops at Shin-Osaka Station.
From the Shinkansen platform, go through the ticket gate and head to the JR conventional line platform.
Take the train that stops at Platforms 7 or 8, and get off after 1 stop. You would have to change trains at Osaka Station.
At Osaka Station, take Platform 1.
Some trains go directly to Universal City Station, but most trains are required to change at “Nishikujo Station”, going toward Universal City Station.
Places to buy USJ Tickets
Admission tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter located at the entrance of USJ.
For those who wish to keep those ticket as a memorial, this is a recommended wat to purchase them.
However, just be aware that there would be a long line of people waiting for their turn: you would wait about 20 to 30 minutes long.
My recommendation is to buy them at ticket sales sites in advance.
You would be able to just go to the entrance gate directly; instead of standing in line.
Scan your QR code admission ticket, then the gate would open.
Buy tickets here ※チケットの購入はこちら
Tickets can be purchased through Klook, a global ticket sales site.
You can buy tickets as Oneday or Twilight.
Twilight tickets offer cheaper admission.
Discount coupons for sightseeing in Osaka are also distributed, although not for use at USJ.
Must-Experience Attractions
At USJ, there are attractions that you can enjoy riding on a ride, and attractions that you can enjoy watching shows.
Both are attractive, so I would like you to experience all of them.
Ride Attraction
Here are ride attractions that I would like you to experience.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Mario Kart is a ride that you can experience the world of the game Mario Kart in real.
In an era when smartphone games and home video game consoles such as PlayStation are becoming more sophisticated, you can feel the new era of attractions that can only be experienced at theme parks.
Before experiencing the attraction, you will pass through inside the Bowser‘s Castle. In Bowser’s Study, the bookshelves are filled with Bowser’s favorite books that show his love for Princess Peach and books that teach you about the history of the Mushroom Kingdom.
In addition, you can see various things that make you feel like you are in the world of Mario, such as the Bomb-omb manufacturing factory and the Mario Kart relay truck.
The attraction is a game where you get on a 4-seater ride and go through the course. Hit the turtle shell on Bowser and Bowser’s soldiers which is reflected on the goggles.
If you can collect 100 coins, Team Mario wins.
Many guests who experience it for the first time get about 80 to 130 points.
Some people score more than 200 points after trying it several times, and advanced players score over 300 points.
You can enjoy it many times.
Required time: 5 minutes
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Hogwarts Castle is located in the Harry Potter area, which faithfully recreated the world of the Harry Potter movies.
Once inside Hogwarts Castle, you can magically fly through the sky and embark on a journey around the Wizarding School with Harry Potter.
Characters that appeared in movies such as Dementors and Snakes will also appear in real life.
As you walk around Hogwarts Castle, you will be able to go through Professor Dumbledore’s Office.
You may meet the principal there.
Required time: 5 minutes
Jurassic Park – The Ride
This is a boat tour attraction where you can see dinosaurs.
While looking at the herbivorous dinosaurs, you can watch the dinosaurs in peace.
However an accident occurs along the way, and you will be guided to a different course.
And you would finally be attacked by a giant dinosaur.
At the end, you can enjoy the exhilarating feeling of getting soaked, with the numerous water splashing up.
Required time: 7 minutes
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K 3D
The Spider-Man attraction is an attraction where you can enjoy the world of the early animation versions in the movie series.
Set off in search of scoops as an apprentice newspaper reporter !
With anti-gravity equipment, you can fly to the top of New York skyscrapers, and experience the attack of fire and water.
Wearing the 3D glasses, you can feel the enemy characters approaching right in front of you.
Hollywood Dream The Ride
This is the most comfortable roller coaster ride in Japan, and also popular to roller coaster fans.
One of the unique features of this ride is that you can listen to one of the songs during the ride, which you selected out of five songs.
In addition, you can also enjoy special versions of songs that collaborate with anime such as Detective Conan and ONE PIECE.
At this attraction, you can enjoy the feeling as you are floating in zero gravity.
If you ride at night, you can enjoy the beautiful night view.. so I definitely want you to ride both day and night time.
This is my favorite attraction.
There is no problem even if you are afraid of heights.
It’s not embarrassing at all, even if you scream as hard as you can.
Let’s all shout and have fun!
Show attractions
In addition to enjoying the rides, there are also a number of shows that are fun to watch.
Water World
You can see a powerful stunt show as you are looking at a live action movie.
The show is based on an original story inspired by the movie Waterworld.
You can see the settlement of the battle between the villain Deacon and the main characters.
The show offers a powerful performance with flames and huge explosions.
Seeing it live is completely different from seeing it on a screen such as a movie or on a home monitor.
You will see thrilling showdowns by acrobatic battles by water crafts and more.
There are many fans and repeaters of this show, which therefore remained since the show opened at USJ in 2001.
Sing on Tour
Sing on Tour is a show, in which you can see the first performance of the characters from the movie Sing.
You can enjoy a live performance with live music.
The lyrics are sung in English, so you can enjoy the show even if you don’t understand Japanese.
Mario, Pokémon Parade
This is the parade that is most concerning at USJ right now, which started in March 2023.
Floats featuring Mario Kart motifs appear, and Bowser’s minions perform comically.
Pikachu and other Pokemon floats also appear, of course with legendary Pokemons.
Yes, this is a huge parade, enlivened by 100 dancers and popular USJ characters: such as Sesame Street and Minions.
There is also a party time where you can enjoy dancing with the characters and dancers; character floats stop at that time.
Furthermore, in the second half of the party time, there will be confetti with monster balls and Mario items flying around.
Be sure to get it!
Notes for Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World is one of the areas in USJ.
There is only one entrance/exit.
To enter the area, you will be required to obtain a free Area Timed Entry Ticket from the official app, after your admission to the USJ
In addition, when you purchase an Express Pass (which can shorten the waiting time), some types of tickets come with a ticket that promises entry to the area.
Without either ticket, you are not able to enter them..
You won’t be available to enjoy Mario Kart, or eat at Kinopio Cafe.
Free Area Numbered Tickets sometimes end up being distributed in about 30 minutes from the opening time of USJ.
We recommend lining up one to two hours before the park opens.
But it’s okay. Even they usually say it opens at 8:00AM, it often opens at 7:15 AM on busy days.
Restaurant Recommendations
| Location | Budget |
|---|---|
| Casual restaurant | ¥1,300 to ¥2,500 |
| Fine dining | ¥2,300 to ¥5,000 |
| Eating out | 700-850 yen |
There are two types of restaurants in USJ: casual restaurants and restaurants where you can receive polite service by table order.
There is also an option of buying a takeout from the food court.
For Japanese food, “SAIDO" is my recommendation.
They also have sushi and tempura menus.
During the period of collaboration with Japanese anime, you may be able to take pictures with Clone-oid that look exactly like an anime character.
[Japanese] USJ restaurant recommendations
Map of USJ
Paper guidebooks are no longer provided at USJ.
Currently, you have to check the official app or rely on maps posted on blogs like our Happyyell website to find the locations of attractions and restrooms.
The park is so large that it would take about 30 minutes to walk around the entire park, even without any stops.
Despite the lake in the middle, you will lose time if you go to the other side by mistake.
We recommend walking with the map in hand.
USJ Official Hotel
There are 8 official hotels in USJ.
If you want to stay at a hotel with a panoramic view of the park, you should choose The Park Front Hotel.
For who you love minions, it would be great to select Hotel Universal Port.
Enjoying hot springs, we recommend The Singulari Hotel or Liber Hotel.
Appeared on TV Asahi’s TV Asahi program Gachigo Rise as “the real people who quit their jobs to support USJ"! I will introduce the fun points that are unique to the Gachi group called Gachi points. Appearing on TV Tokyo Dekamori Hunter, providing information and comments on Mainichi Broadcasting “Seyanen", cooperating and appearing in Disney movies on TV Asahi’s music program, etc. Recently, opportunities to cooperate in the production of TV programs have increased. I’m here.
Hapiel Co., Ltd. Representative Director
Theme Park Media He also serves as editor-in-chief of Hapier. I have been going to USJ for about 22 years since it first opened. USJ fan crystal rank certified. Recently, I go there about 40 times a year. We are doing strategies and congestion forecasts to enjoy short wait times for attractions. I have been going to Disneyland for 25 years.