Universal Studios Japan USJ Travel Guide Blogs

When visiting Japan, Universal Studios Japan should definitely be one of the items to be included on top of your list of best things to do in Osaka.

For families, group of friends, and the adventure-seekers, a trip to Osaka will never be complete without visiting Universal Studios Japan (or simply, USJ). It is one of the many attractions to see and to experience when traveling to Osaka. Opened in March 2001 in the Osaka Bay area, Universal Studios Japan offers a wide array of fun attractions and thrilling rides that will surely be a delight for kids and adults alike. It sits on 39 hectares property and is considered as the most visited amusement park in Japan after Tokyo Disney Resort.

That is why, when we were planning our Osaka Itinerary, we made sure that we include USJ in our must-do activities in Osaka. We allot one whole day to fully enjoy and have fun at Universal Studios Japan.

In this USJ Travel Guide Blog, I will help you plan your trip by sharing some travel tips and reminders on how to maximize your Universal Studios experience in Osaka Japan.

USJ TRAVEL TIPS: How to Maximize your Universal Studios Japan Experience?

Skip the line and buy your USJ Tickets in advance

Save time and money by purchasing your USJ tickets online. You can buy USJ tickets online at discounted rates via the Klook App - an authorized reseller of USJ. This will also let you avoid the long lines at the ticketing booths. Since we already booked our tickets online, we just went straight to the entrance gate upon arrival at the park and scanned our Klook E-tickets at the park’s gate.

Park ticket types: 1 Day, 1.5 Days, 2 Days and Multiple Days

BUY UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN TICKETS HERE!

Arrive early

Be early at the park, at least one or two hours ahead of the scheduled opening time. Lines at the entrance gate get crazy long even before the park opens. So be sure to be there early at around 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. For ease and convenience, especially when traveling with kids and senior citizens, you may avail the Shuttle Bus Transfer from Osaka to Universal Studio Japan and get to the park hassle-free.

Tip: Universal Studios Japan's standard opening hours is from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, daily. Park open hours change depend on the season. Please check the USJ daily information for updates and more details.

The best time to visit is during weekdays

If possible, schedule your visit on weekdays. Avoid weekends and long weekends - Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays - because these are the peak days of the park. Tickets are also more expensive on these days compared to other days.

Get a park map

Grab a copy of the park map to help familiarize yourself with the different attractions and rides inside the park. This will help you a lot in knowing the locations of the rides you want to experience, as well as the locations of the restaurants and toilets.

Check show schedules

Always check the USJ website for show schedules and changes. That way, you could plan your schedule according to the shows you want to watch. Also, keep an eye on the electronic boards in key areas around the park that show the queue times on the rides and attractions. This will give you an idea which ride has the shorter waiting time.

Outside food are not allowed inside

Food and drinks inside the park are expensive. They don’t allow bringing food inside but you can bring one drink per person. You can also bring in an empty bottle that you could refill with drinking water from the drinking fountains. I’ve tried the water fountains, and it’s safe to drink. This will definitely save you a lot on travel expenses. Water is good for your health too! Hehehe!

Tip: Have a heavy breakfast before going to Universal Studios Japan. Then try the snacks inside, and have dinner when you get out. But if budget is not a problem, go and try the many restaurants inside the park.

How to avoid the long lines at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan

Experience Harry Potter ride first

Start your USJ experience with the Harry Potter ride then experience the other rides and attractions after. I highly suggest that you come early and go to this ride first to avoid the long lines. This ride is the most popular ride at Universal Studios Japan. Be sure to experience it first before the line gets really crazy long all-day.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a favorite among local and foreign tourists, especially the Harry Potter fans visiting Universal Studios Japan.

How to avoid the long lines at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan? Here’s how we did it.

✔️Gumising kami ng 5am at nag-prepare.

✔️By 6:30am, we took the train to Universal City. This is the station near Universal Studios Japan.

✔️We arrived at Universal Studios Japan by 7:00am.

✔️Upon arrival, we started lining up kahit 8:30 am pa ang open ng gates. May park tickets na kami from @klooktravel_ph. So we don’t need to line up pa sa ticket booths. Dun na kami kaagad sa ticket gates.

✔️By 8:30am, they opened the gates and we ran to the Village of Hogsmeade where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride is located. Hehehe! Run, run, run!!!

✔️Pagdating namin dun, walang mahabang pila. Walang waiting time. Yey!!!

✔️Sulit ang pag-gising namin ng maaga. Hahaha!!! 😂

Take advantage of the single rider line

Some rides have a “single rider” line that shortens the waiting time by taking separate seats on the ride. If you’re alone or even with a group but you’re good with experiencing a ride on separate seats with your groupmates, take advantage of the single rider line at the rides and attractions. These lines are usually short than the regular lines. This will save you a lot on waiting time.

Get an express pass

If budget is not a problem, I highly recommend that you get a USJ Express Pass. This will let your skip the long lines at the most popular rides and attractions at Universal Studios Japan. This will also let you enjoy more time at USJ, instead of wasting your time at the long queues. Choose from a variety of passes available depending on which attraction you want to experience. You can use this pass on your favorite attractions such Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Minion Mayhem, The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man, Space Fantasy, The Flying Dinosaur & more. See below the different types of USJ Express Passes.

RESERVE A USJ EXPRESS PASS HERE!

Bring extra clothes

There are rides and attractions that you might get wet. Bring extra clothes or you can just buy a character shirt if ever you got wet. You can also bring your own poncho or raincoat and use it on the rides. It's cheaper to bring your own than to buy it on-site.

Plan your trip well

It’s impossible to experience all the rides in just one day. So, better plan your trip and prioritize the rides, attractions and shows you want to see and experience first. Take advantage also of the USJ Express Pass to skip the long lines. If you want to explore Universal Studios Japan more, you may also consider booking a 2-Day Pass.

Stay near Universal Studios Japan

If you want to get to USJ early ahead of everyone else, I highly recommend staying in one of the hotels near or just outside Universal Studios Japan. This is also good if you're traveling with kids and senior citizens. If they get tired easily, you can get back to your hotel located nearby or just outside the park.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOTELS NEAR USJ

HOW TO GET TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN?

USJ is very accessible from Osaka City Center or from other cities in Japan. Thanks to Osaka's efficient transportation system, you can get to Universal Studios Japan by train, bus or taxi.

FROM SHIN-OSAKA STATION BY TRAIN
If you're coming from a different city via Shinkansen, you'll be arriving in Osaka via the Shin-Osaka Station. From there, take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station, then transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishikujo Station. From there, take the JR Yumesaki Line train to Universal City Station. Universal Studios Japan is located just outside Universal City Station. If you have a JR Pass or the JR-West Kansai Rail Pass, they are both accepted here.

FROM JR NAMBA STATION BY TRAIN
Take the JR Yamatoji Line to Immamiya Station. Transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishikujo Station. From there, take the JR Yumesaki Line train to Universal City Station.

FROM OSAKA NAMBA STATION BY TRAIN
Take the Hanshin Namba Line to Nishikujo Station. From there, take the JR Yumesaki Line train to Universal City Station.

FROM KYOTO BY TRAIN
From Kyoto Station, take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station. Transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishikujo Station. From there, take the JR Yumesaki Line train to Universal City Station.

FROM OSAKA TO USJ BY SHARED BUS
For ease and convenience, especially when traveling with kids and senior citizens, I recommend that you avail the Shuttle Bus Transfer from Osaka to Universal Studio Japan and get to the park comfortably and hassle-free.

FROM KANSAI AIRPORT BY TRAIN
If you're coming from Kansai Airport (KIX), take the JR Hanwa Line - Kansai International Airport Express Line to Nishikujo Station. From there, take the JR Yumesaki Line train to Universal City Station. Universal Studios Japan is located just outside Universal City Station.

Universal Studios Japan Vlog

You may also watch my Universal Studios Japan Video Blog below. Please don't forget to like, share, and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel! Salamat po... :)

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