On 31 March 2001, Universal Studios officially opened their third theme park, and the first outside of the United States of America. Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka, Japan and is one of the most visited theme parks in the world. They received over 11 million guests in the opening year, making it the fastest theme park to reach 10 million guests at the time. In 2022 they hosted 12.3 million visitors, making it the third-most visited theme park in the world behind Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and the most visited theme park in Asia.
The park covers 54 hectares and is spread across 10 areas – Hollywood, New York City, San Francisco, Minion Park, Jurassic Park, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, WaterWorld, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World. Get the lowdown on this popular park!
The Areas of Universal Studios Japan
Hollywood
Find your inner 1930s movie star as you stroll down dazzling Hollywood Boulevard. As you enter the park and head through the main arch, you’ll explore bustling streets of Hollywood filled with famous landmarks and the most attractions and shops in the park. Welcome to a stylish, classy world where you can scream on roller coasters, party at live shows, and go absolutely wild!
New York
Get lost in the streets of 1930s New York. Discover glamorous landmarks of the era, from 5th Avenue to Delancey Street. Movie fans of all kinds will enjoy strolling through streets and back alleys from famous films. Explore the birthplace of entertainment, with unpredictable experiences and thrills!
Minion Park
The Minions have finally fulfilled their ambitions! All of humanity will be a part of the mayhem at the Minion Park! Join the hilarious Minions as they wreak havoc and mayhem, playing games and pranks. It’s fun for all humanity.
San Francisco
Explore America’s # 1 port city with memorable neighbourhoods like Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown! With its location right off the lagoon, this area enjoys the smell of sea air, just like the real port city.
Jurassic Park
Journey back in time and immerse yourself in a jungle where dinosaurs have been brought back to life! Keep your wits about you as these ancient, reptilian beasts roam through the trees. Welcome... to Jurassic Park.
Amity Village
Visit the setting of JAWS, the legendary thriller. With the terror of the town's man-eating shark now firmly in the past, Amity once again welcomes tourists to explore the charm of this small fishing village and sate their thirst for the macabre with stories of the shark's reign.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Immerse yourself in the world of Mario and friends and use your whole body to have fun! And now Donkey Kong has arrived! Anything can happen in his jungle and that means thrills and exhilaration. Before you know it, you'll be all caught up in the excitement, body, and soul! This is only place in the world where kids and grown-ups alike can return to the wild and play all out with Mario and Donkey Kong! The magic word is "Play wild!" Awaken your instinct to play!
NOTE: To enter SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, an Area Timed Entry Ticket: Advance Booking or an Area Timed Entry Ticket/Standby Entry Ticket is required.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
Magic is everywhere. Explore the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, where you can sip on a Butterbeer, sample some traditional English fare, and shop til you drop, and the grounds and castle of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where you can follow in the footsteps of the Golden Trio and even ride a Hippogriff!
Universal Wonderland
This area is home to Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and other cute characters popular around the world! Come join the fun! Even Mom and Dad will find something to love. With over 30,000 square meters and 30 different attractions, Universal Wonderland is sure to delight everyone!
Rides
Universal Studios Japan has rides for everyone – from thrill seekers to the little ones, and everyone in between! There are too many rides to go through individually, so I’ll feature some below. Check out the Universal Studios Japan website for information on every ride available.
Hollywood Dream – The Ride
Area: Hollywood
Features: Full of Thrills and Screams
Height Requirement: At least 132cm
Universal Express Pass Valid
Choose your favourite soundtrack to cover your screams as you fly through the sky, over the streets of Hollywood. Don’t forget to try Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop, where you’ll do all that… backwards!
For the coaster geeks
Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
Model: Steel Hyper coaster with a chain lift hill
Duration: 2m31s
Height: 44m (144ft)
Drop: 43m (141ft)
Length: 1,200m (3,900ft)
Speed: 90km/h (56mph)
Inversions: 0
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™
Area: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Features: Full of Thrills and Screams
Height Requirement: At least 122cm (107cm if accompanied by an adult)
Universal Express Pass Valid
Race your way to victory on iconic Mario Kart courses that have been brought to life! Throw shells at enemies and aim for the finish line with Mario and Peach.
For the coaster geeks
Manufacturer: MTS Systems Corporation
Model: Augmented Reality Dark Ride
Vehicle Type: Bus-bar vehicle
Duration: 5min
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
Area: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
Features: Full of Thrills and Screams
Height Requirement: At least 122cm
Universal Express Pass Valid
Join Harry, Ron, and Hermione in an immersive adventure through the castle and grounds of Hogwarts! Evade Acromantulas and Dementors and be careful – you’ll feel the heat of a dragon’s fire!
For the coaster geeks
Manufacturer: Dynamic Structures, RoboCoaster Ltd, KUKA, UAO
Model: Dark ride, Robocoaster G2, KUKA
Vehicle type: Enchanted benches (robotic arm)
Duration: 4m06s
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
Area: Minion Park
Features: Recommended for Kids, Full of Thrills and Screams
Height Requirement: At least 122cm (102cm if accompanied by an adult)
Universal Express Pass Valid
Plunge into a world of mayhem and Minions! Climb aboard a vehicle designed by Gru and enter his laboratory to begin the process of becoming an actual Minion! Under the supervision of Gru and his three daughters, you'll dash through the air and back to earth, going upside down and round and round!
For the coaster geeks
Manufacturer: Intamin
Model: Motion Simulator
Vehicle type: Minion Transformation Pod
Duration: 8m
Elmo’s Little Drive
Area: Minion Park
Features: Recommended for Kids
Height Requirement: None
Age restriction: Children 3 - 5 (includes preschool 6-year-olds. No Adults)
Heaps of fun for the littlies! Children can enjoy driving slowly on the small circuit course in a car illustrated with Elmo's cute face. Even 3-year-old children can fully enjoy driving in the car.
Entertainment and shows
With entertainment scattered around the park, there’s generally something happening at most times of the day to keep everyone entertained! Below are just a few shows and entertainment options available!
WaterWorld
Area: WaterWorld
Attraction Features: Full of Thrills and Screams, You may get wet
Time Requirement: About 20 minutes
Experience the thrills of this high energy stunt show, involving action, adventure, and of course, things that go boom! You might get wet!
SING on Tour
Area: Hollywood
Attraction Features: Recommended for Kids
Time Requirement: About 20 minutes
Cheer and sing along with the beloved characters from the blockbuster film SING as they perform their hearts out with powerful and soulful renditions of your favourite hits!
Universal Monsters Live: Rock and Roll Show
Area: Hollywood
Time Requirement: About 30 minutes
The funky and crazy monster Beetlejuice™ and his friends Dracula, Werewolf, Frankenstein™ and his bride gather in a graveyard at night. The monsters who once threw the world into the depth of fear are now setting the entire theatre with excitement with their Hollywood-trained songs and dances. Don't miss the authentic live entertainment featuring famous rock numbers.
Shopping
Whether you’re after the perfect souvenir of your time at USJ, some merchandise from your favourite movie, or just need an umbrella, visit one of the many stores spotted around the park! Check out a few of them below.
Universal Studios Store
Area: Hollywood
Shop Features: Universal Studios Souvenirs
Visit the largest store in the park with a wide range of popular products! From key chains to t-shirts, toys, and more, this store has it all!
1UP Factory™
Area: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Shop Features: Character Merchandise - SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Looking for cute souvenirs from the Mushroom Kingdom? This cute toy factory is where all sorts of items in the Mushroom Kingdom are made!
Honeydukes™
Area: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
Shop Features: Character Merchandise - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
A sweetshop loved by students of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this colourful shop is full of unique sweets. Enjoy popular sweets from the wizarding world such as Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans™ and Chocolate Frogs™.
Food and drink
The best way to recharge for more fun at the park, is to same awesome food, drinks, and snacks from each area! Check out a sample of the offerings below!
Kinopio's Café™
Area: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Service Type: Quick Service
Toad House has been transformed into a restaurant! Indulge in fun gourmet dishes crafted by the cheerful and hard-working Chef Toad! And don't forget to look out the windows to enjoy beautiful views of the Mushroom Kingdom!
Mel’s Drive-In
Area: Hollywood
Service Type: Quick Service
Experience the world of American Graffiti! This hamburger restaurant's full of '50s atmosphere.
Discovery Restaurant
Area: Jurassic Park
Service Type: Quick Service
Enjoy a meal millions of years in the making at the visitors’ centre from Jurassic Park!
Ticket Types
To make the most of your visit to Universal Studios Japan, it’s always best to know your options when it comes to tickets. USJ has a very streamlined ticket list – they only have 1 kind of general admission ticket. You can purchase add-ons to help with lines, or to get you into certain areas too.
Studio Pass (Park Entry Ticket)
The single type of general admission ticket that USJ has on offer. You can only purchase 1-, 2-, or 1.5-day passes. These passes cannot be used for entry into separately ticketed events.
1-day pass: can only be used on the date it is purchased for. You choose that date at booking.
Adult (12+) tickets from ¥8,600 (Approx. AU$84)
Child (4-11) tickets from ¥5,600 (Approx. AU$55)
Senior (65+) tickets from ¥7,700 (Approx. AU$75)
2-day pass: can be used over 2 consecutive days from the first day chosen.
Adult (12+) tickets from ¥16,300 (Approx. AU$158)
Child (4-11) tickets from ¥10,600 (Approx. AU$105)
1.5-day pass: can be used over 2 consecutive days, with access on the first day being after 3pm.
Adult (12+) tickets from ¥13,100 (Approx. AU$127)
Child (4-11) tickets from ¥8,600 (Approx. AU$84)
Universal Express Pass
Only have 1 day and want to make the most out of the day? It might be worth getting an Express Pass to skip the lines on select rides! Prices range from ¥9,800 (approx. AU$95) for a limited 4 ride pass, to from ¥17,800 (approx. AU$172) for the 7 ride pass. Prices vary per day and require a separate admission ticket.
Staying in the fun
While Universal Studios Japan does not have any ‘onsite’ hotels, they have partnered with local hotels in the Universal City area to offer benefits and themed rooms.
Partner Hotels
A range of hotels in the area are designated Universal Partner Hotels.
Oriental Hotel Universal City: A peaceful, relaxing oasis where you can feel the nature, and revitalize your body and mind with our signature breakfast.
The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa at Universal Studios Japan: Directly connected to the train station. Indulge in the one and only stay experience ranging from the outdoor bath and sauna to the handmade Japanese and western breakfast.
The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan: Located right outside the main gate, this hotel boasts the distinction of being closest to the park.
Hotel Kintetsu Universal City: This hotel features guest floors with rooms themed as Sesame Street™!
Hotel Keihan Universal Tower: This hotel is home to Osaka's first natural hot spring with views from the 31st floor! While you're up there, be sure to visit the hotel's Sky Restaurant & Bar, which features a unique airship-inspired dining experience.
Hotel Universal Port: They’re in the lobby! They’re in the rooms! Everyone's favourite Minions wreak havoc at this hotel!
Hotel Universal Port Vita: This hotel opened its doors in July 2018 and features sun and nature designs. Don't miss the cute Minions who greet you at the entrance!
Want more information on Universal Studios Japan? Let me know! Which area would be your favourite?
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