Opened on March 31, 2001, Universal Studios Japan welcomed 11 million guests in its first year, making it the fastest theme park ever to reach the 10 million guest milestone.
In 2022, it hosted 12.3 million visitors, becoming the third most visited theme park in the world after Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, and the most visited theme park in Asia.
Where is Universal Studios Japan located?
Universal Studios Japan is located in the western part of Osaka, one of Japan’s major cities.
The easiest way to get there is by metro. Just steps from the park is the JR “Universal-City” station on the Yumesaky Line.
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What does Universal Studios Japan include?
Universal Studios Japan includes:
- 1 theme park
- 8 owned hotels
- 1 shopping district
When is it open?
Universal Studios Japan never closes!
The park is open 365 days a year, with highly variable hours. It typically opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 7:00 PM, but depending on the season, it may open at 9:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM.
Check the official park website for current hours and download the app—it’s super useful before and during your visit.
To make the most of your visit, don’t forget to follow my 12 essential theme park rules.
How much is admission to Universal Studios Japan?
A 1-day open-date ticket to Universal Studios Japan ranges from ¥8,900 to ¥10,400 (€57 – €66).
The official website also sells 2-day and afternoon tickets.
How is the park divided into themed areas?
Universal Studios Japan is divided into 10 themed areas, many of which are also featured in other Universal parks around the world:
- Hollywood
- New York
- Minion Park
- San Francisco
- Jurassic Park
- WaterWorld
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
- Amity Village
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Universal Wonderland
Hollywood
This is the first area you’ll encounter as soon as you enter the park, and it features a partially covered street with a large glass dome—similar to Tokyo Disneyland.
It’s also the area with the most activity:
- 16 shops
- 3 restaurants
- 3 attractions
- 4 indoor shows
Notable mention: Hollywood Dream – The Ride and its “Backdrop” version.
It’s a coaster, similar to Silver Star at Europa Park, that runs both forward and backward on the same track—two completely different ride sensations!
New York
After Hollywood, you reach the Big Apple area. In addition to many restaurants (some offering Italian options), the highlight here is undoubtedly:
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D – The Ride.
An identical copy of the one in Orlando, but here enhanced by its beautifully themed entrance. 
Minion Park
A truly unique and immersive zone.
Everything here smells like banana, everything is yellow, and everything is delightfully evil 😅
Along with a huge shop selling hilarious merchandise, a couple of food stalls, and a kid-friendly flat ride, the main attraction is Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.
A 4D cinema ride where you’re transformed into a Minion ready to assist the baddest of the bad.
San Francisco
Overlooking the central lake of the park, this area connects the previous NY area to Jurassic Park. Here you’ll only find restaurants and shops. 
Jurassic Park
A true classic of every respectable Universal Studios park, and at Universal Studios Japan they’ve done a great job.
In addition to the iconic Jurassic Park – The Ride, which I found in excellent condition, the real star here is The Flying Dinosaur.
One of the most intense flying coasters I’ve ever experienced—perhaps even more intense than Manta, which I rode years ago at SeaWorld Orlando.
WaterWorld
WaterWorld is the show that has made many Universal parks famous in recent years, especially Universal Hollywood.
It’s become such an icon that several “copies” exist—like the U.S. Army Show at Movieland, just to name one.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Opened in 2021, this is the world’s first Nintendo-themed area. It’s been such a hit that expansion is already underway with a Donkey Kong-themed world.
Due to its popularity and small size, access to this area is often restricted.
How do you access SUPER NINTENDO WORLD?
There are two ways to access SUPER NINTENDO WORLD—one paid and one free.
Paid method
The paid method is the only one that guarantees you access to the area.
When purchasing park tickets on the official website, you can also purchase land entry and skip-the-line passes. Prices vary depending on the season.
Free method
This is a virtual queue system where you can reserve your entry to the area.
You can do it via your smartphone using the park app by following these steps:
- Add your ticket(s) to the app
- Once inside the park, click on “Timed Entry eTickets”
- Select the desired zone
- Select the park passes for group members you want tickets for
- Choose your preferred time
- Wait until your time slot and head to the entrance
- Show the QR code found in the “Timed Entry eTickets” section
If you’re not tech-savvy, you can go to an automatic kiosk near the entrance—just scan your ticket, and you’ll get a printed entry ticket with the time. 
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD deserves an entire article on its own due to how much there is to do, but here are the must-sees.
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™
This is the attraction every nerd should experience at least once in their life.
The queue alone is worth the trip to Japan—it’s that well themed.
The ride itself is hard to describe, as it’s the first in the world to use augmented reality. So if you get the chance, follow the tutorial video shown in the pre-show closely. Even if you don’t understand Japanese, you’ll still know what to do.
Essentially, you’ll be thrown into the most iconic worlds of the Mario Kart saga—from rainbow roads to bright blue skies, everything will truly feel like you’re inside the game.
Power-Up Band Key Challenges
Okay, this isn’t technically a ride, but it’s one of the most fun activities at Universal Studios Japan.
Inside the area, you can buy one of these wristbands, link it to the park app on your phone, and start hunting for coins and golden keys.
Once you collect at least 3 golden keys, you can challenge Bowser Jr. to win back the golden mushroom he stole from Princess Peach.
Amity Village
The village with the most shark attacks in the world is a Universal classic.
Demolished a few years ago in Orlando to make room for Diagon Alley, here at Universal Studios Japan the entire area and attraction are still in great shape.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
An identical copy of the one at Universal Hollywood, with a few differences compared to Orlando. This land is a perfect representation of Hogsmeade, complete with shops, restaurants, and the iconic Hogwarts castle, inside of which you’ll find Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, where you’ll soar aboard the most famous broom in cinema. 
Universal Wonderland
This is a large area dedicated to younger guests, with many attractions themed around Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and Sesame Street. 
Tips and Conclusion
Universal Studios Japan is a diverse park where you’ll find thrilling rides and attractions for the whole family. It’s also the most visited theme park in all of Asia—not just Japan.
Planning is essential. You won’t be able to do everything in one day, so you’ll have to choose what to do and what to skip. Showing up unprepared, especially mid-morning, is not the way to enjoy your day.
As always, make sure to follow my golden rules in this article.
