Universal Studios Japan is one of the most popular amusement parks in the country, and in the world, so it is definitely worth experiencing. But because it is one of the most popular amusement parks, it comes with its challenges when it comes to crowds, timing, and lines. After scouring through the internet for the best tips and then experiencing it myself, here is all you should know before heading there.
First of all, even though there is much to see in USJ, you can easily experience everything in the park in one day. If you plan your day according to the rides and things you want to see, you’ll most likely get to see everything. As mentioned, it is important to plan your day and check beforehand what the park has to offer that you want to prioritize.
Getting to USJ from Hirakata
It’s actually a pretty quick journey from Hirakatashi Station to Universal Studios Japan.
First, hop on the Keihan Main Line to Kyobashi Station, then change to the Osaka Loop Line to get to Nishikujō Station.
Finally, take the JR Yumesaki Line (officially called the Sakurajima Line) straight to Universal-City Station. You should be able to reach USJ in around 45 minutes to 1 hour!
What day should you go?
Besides the weather, which I’m sure you’ve already thought of, there are other things to check to see which would be the best day for you to visit USJ.
First, check the USJ real crowd calendar, which shows the crowd forecasts for the park each day. It’s super helpful for avoiding the busiest days at the park.
Another thing to check is the opening hours because they change daily. The park closes anywhere from 7–9 pm depending on the day, and you can see the closing hours for each day on the Universal Studios website. Don’t make the mistake of planning your day and then finding out in the evening that your plans will be cut two hours short (speaking from experience).
USJ real crowd calendar:
https://en.usjreal.asumirai.info/crowd/usj-crowd-calendar.html
USJ opening hours:
https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/park-guide/schedule/park-hour
Plan your day carefully
You might be familiar with people lining up for USJ from the early morning hours, and unfortunately, it is worth it to be one of these early risers. The park officially opens at 9am, but lines start forming at the entrance as early as 6am. The key is to get familiar with the park beforehand and to prioritize your day according to the attractions and areas you want to visit most.
Decide which rides and areas you wish to prioritize and plan your day accordingly – for example, early in the morning is a good chance to encounter shorter lines at busier attractions like Flying Dinosaur or Hollywood Ride. Here are some tips for different areas to help you with planning your perfect Universal day.
Nintendo World
Although Nintendo World is inside USJ, it is not as simple to access as other parts of the park. Visitor numbers are limited per day, which leaves you with three options.
The first tip is getting to the park at least an hour before opening and rushing straight to Nintendo World before capacity is reached.
The second is arriving early and getting Timed Entry Tickets through the app. You can only book these tickets once the park opens, so either way, it’s worth getting there early if you want to experience the magical world of Mario and more.
The third option is of course to pay more for fast passes, which automatically give you an entry time for Nintendo World. Whether you prioritize your sleep or your wallet is up to you, but I definitely think the area is worth seeing if you have the chance.
The Donkey Kong ride Mine-Cart Madness almost always has the longest lines in the park, so if that is something you want to experience I would head there as soon as possible.
Jurassic Park
The Jurassic Park area has two main attractions: the Jurassic Park ride and the Flying Dinosaur ride. Flying Dinosaur is definitely the most intense ride in the park and absolutely worth riding once – or multiple times – if you enjoy adventurous roller coasters. The best times for this ride are often in the morning before the crowds arrive, or late in the evening after most families have gone home. It is a great ride to experience both during the day and at night, but I would recommend not going on it right after eating (just in case).
For the Jurassic Park ride, either avoid sitting on the edge or bring a raincoat. People sitting on the edge and in the first row will get wet, but otherwise you should be fine. You can buy raincoats there, but it will obviously be cheaper to bring your own if you are planning to go on the ride – which I do recommend.
Harry Potter
As a big Harry Potter fan, this area of the park was definitely at the top of my list. I recommend visiting the area and the castle both during the daytime and at night to get the full experience.
I also suggest checking out all the different shops in Hogsmeade and attending the Ollivanders wand show, where one person is chosen for the wand-picking ceremony (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone style). Don’t worry—they speak both English and Japanese during the show.
I recommend the rides as well; they are very cool and a must for Harry Potter fans, unless you get motion sickness easily. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (located inside the castle) is an amazing experience, but I definitely needed the 40-minute queue for Flight of the Hippogriff afterward to recover from the motion sickness caused by the screens used in the attraction. Would I go again? Yes. Would I go if my motion sickness were any worse? Absolutely not.
Hollywood and the Hollywood Dream Coaster
Riding Hollywood Dream with Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off playing during sunset became a new core memory that I will cherish forever, so I would definitely try to get on a roller coaster around sunset to enjoy some of the most beautiful views Osaka has to offer. Pick the same song with your friends on the ride (yes, you can choose a song to play during the ride) and party it up. The ride also often closes earlier than others, so make sure to ride it before time runs out.
Jaws
For the Jaws attraction, trust me when I say this: do it at nighttime. This was a recommendation I received before going to USJ, and it was absolutely true. The ride really comes to life in the dark, so I highly recommend experiencing it at night rather than during the day. The ride also often closes last, making it perfect for an evening experience.
Food and drinks
As expected, food and drinks in the USJ area are quite expensive, so be prepared. You can bring smaller snacks into the area, such as onigiri, which will help you ward off your hunger for a bit. The Jaws area of the park also offers some more affordable options and kids’ menus to satisfy a smaller hunger. In the Hollywood area, there is a restaurant called Louie’s N.Y. Pizza Parlor that offers great pizzas you can share with friends or get as meals.
For drinks, bring a water bottle! There are water bottle filling stations at every corner, so bring your bottle or buy one in the area and keep refilling it. Remember to stay hydrated!
The app for events and waitlines
If there is one thing I recommend you do beforehand, it’s to download the USJ app. You can find all the live waiting times for rides, find events in the area, see the map and every attraction, restaurant, and bathroom, and for Nintendo, you can book Entry Time Tickets on the app.
Download the USJ app here:
https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/enjoy/app
Ask for stickers
A little bonus tip for getting free souvenirs is to ask employees for stickers! Look for park employees around the park with bags or fanny packs, as most of them will carry stickers that you can get only from employees. So don’t miss out on freebies! The employees will often have different stickers in different areas, so get as many as you can.
FAQs: Universal Studio Tips
Downloading the USJ app, and checking the USJ Real Crowd Calendar will be super useful for keeping an eye on wait times, locating important areas, and more.
Even though the park opens at 9am, it is best to arrive as early as possible. Maybe try to go to sleep early the night before!
Yes, and this is often a cheaper option. You can buy food at the park, but it’s also a good idea to bring your own snacks to have throughout the day, as well as a refillable water bottle.
This really depends on your interests, but some of the highlights include the Flying Dinosaur ride, Hollywood Dream, and the Jaws ride. Make sure to check the website beforehand so you can see which rides you really want to go on.
There are many souvenir shops around the park, with themed gifts and memorabilia. But don’t forget to ask the staff for free stickers, which are a great (and much cheaper!) keepsake.
