Universal Studios Japan
Discover Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan (ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン Yunibāsaru Sutajio Japan, usually called simply USJ Yū-Esu-Jē) is a theme park resort in the Bay Area district of Osaka, Japan. Universal Studios Japan is one of five Universal resorts worldwide. It opened in 2001, and as of 2023, it was the third busiest theme park in the world and Japan's second largest, behind only the Tokyo Disney Resort. Sprawling across 54 hectares, it is also the oldest and largest Universal Studios theme park in Asia, with ten themed areas based on movies and games like Harry Potter, Super Mario Bros, Despicable Me and Jurassic Park.
What to Experience in Universal Studios Japan
Taste of Universal Studios Japan...
As with many theme parks, dining options at USJ are generally crowded, overpriced and mediocre. The following is not a complete list, but merely a selection of the less bad options. There are far better and cheaper eating options right outside the park gates, including conveyor sushi maestros Sushiro, but regular tickets do not permit re-entry. Prior reservations are required for all full-service restaurants at USJ. Book ahead via the app! Cold beer is sold from carts strategically located along long walks. Harry Potter fans will be tempted to splash out on a cup of sickly sweet non-alcoholic Butterbeer (¥600/800 regular/frozen). There are half a dozen hotels located around Universal City station.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsOsaka is well connected to all of Japan and the world, see Osaka#Get in for details. If you're in Tokyo and planning a visit, beware that Osaka is 450 km east, so even by Shinkansen/plane attempting a visit as a day trip would be a very long day. The rest of this section covers only travel from Osaka to USJ. Most visitors arrive by train directly to 34.667842135.4385941 Universal City Station (ユニバーサルシティ駅) on the JR Yumesaki Line, a 5-minute walk from the park entrance. There are frequent through trains every 10 min or so from the JR Osaka Loop Line, passing through Tennoji, Kyobashi and Osaka/Umeda stations in that order on their way in, and the trip from JR Osaka station takes only about 12 minutes. If arriving by Shinkansen bullet train, you'll first need to transfer from Shin-Osaka to Osaka. There are numerous direct bus services from Japanese cities around Kansai and even further to USJ....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
A pair of walking shoes will come in handy as the only option to get around is to walk. In addition, USJ is laid out around a large lake, meaning that the shortest route is often quite circuitous. The official app is worth the download: you can prebook area access slots and some attractions, make restaurant reservations, and see real-time wait times for all attractions. Ticketing for USJ is complicated and it's worth taking your time to research your options in advance. All tickets can be purchased from the official site or via various resellers like JTB and Klook. The basic ticket or Studio Pass comes in 1, 1.5 and 2-day versions and prices start from ¥8,900 for adults (12+) and ¥5400 for children (kids under 4 enter for free). Pricing is dynamic, with three types of ticket (A/orange, B/pink and C/blue) entitling you to enter on any A, B or C day. You'll definitely want to aim for the A/orange days since these are the cheapest and least crowded option.
Where to Stay
There are half a dozen hotels located around Universal City station.
Money & Budget
Gift shops are common across the park. Below are some of the more-unique shops: As with many theme parks, dining options at USJ are generally crowded, overpriced and mediocre. The following is not a complete list, but merely a selection of the less bad options. There are far better and cheaper eating options right outside the park gates, including conveyor sushi maestros Sushiro, but regular tickets do not permit re-entry. Prior reservations are required for all full-service restaurants at USJ. Book ahead via the app! Cold beer is sold from carts strategically located along long walks. Harry Potter fans will be tempted to splash out on a cup of sickly sweet non-alcoholic Butterbeer (¥600/800 regular/frozen). There are half a dozen hotels located around Universal City station.
Language & Talk
USJ is heavily geared towards the local Japanese market, but everything is signposted in English and critical information like safety instruction sheets is also available in Chinese and Korean. Staff are used to dealing with non-Japanese visitors and can handle basic situations in English. Beware that the rides and shows themselves are in Japanese. On the other hand, if you've never heard Gru speaking in a flawless Kansai accent, here's your chance! Universal Studios Japan is comprised of 10 themed areas, some larger some smaller all centered around the main lagoon. Starting from the park's entrance and continuing clockwise they are: The first land visitors encounter, it is themed after 1930s Hollywood and is full of attractions, shows and entertainement.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Universal Studios Japan
Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan.
A group of people standing in front of a giant globe
A large clock tower with a roller coaster in front of it
Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka.
a blue and white car parked in front of a building
a castle on a hill with a blue sky in the background
A crowd of people standing around a giant globe
Osaka Universal Studios
Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan.
Mario Kart ride in Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka.
Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan.
A group of people standing in front of a giant globe
A large clock tower with a roller coaster in front of it