“It’s-a-me, Mario”
After seeing Super Nintendo World all over social media, I knew Universal Studios Japan had to be part of our Japan itinerary. I've been a massive Nintendo fan for as long as I can remember, so getting to experience an entire world dedicated to Mario and his friends was something I definitely didn't want to miss.
I've always loved theme parks and have traveled all over Europe to experience different parks and rides. But since we don't have a Universal Studios park in Europe (yet), visiting Japan was the perfect opportunity. In fact, both Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan were pretty high on our list when we started planning the trip.
What I hadn't expected, though, was quite how much preparation apparently went into visiting Universal Studios Japan. Everywhere I looked, people were talking about crowds, Express Passes, and how important it was to plan your day in advance. And while we'd already set aside three nights for Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, I wasn't entirely sure whether one day at Universal Studios Japan would be enough, or even how convenient it would be to get there from Osaka.
Turns out, a little preparation goes a long way, but I definitely stressed more than I needed to (what else is new?). So, how much planning do you actually need, which rides are worth prioritizing, and is one day enough to experience Universal Studios Japan?
I’ll tell you…
In this guide:
Also planning a trip to Tokyo Disneyland? Check out my Disney Resort Guide for all you need to know before going, or my Disney Vacation Package Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to book one.
So, what should you know to make the most of Universal Studios Japan? Let's get into it!
Where is Universal Studios Japan & How to Get There?
Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka, and getting there from the city center is surprisingly easy. We stayed at Conrad Osaka, and it took us around 25 minutes to get to Universal City Station, including one transfer at Osaka Station. From Osaka Station itself, the journey takes approximately 15 minutes, so there's really no reason to stay near the park, in my opinion.
I'd recommend simply following Google Maps, as the journey is pretty straightforward. You can use your Suica or PASMO card, so you don’t need to buy a separate train ticket.
One thing to keep in mind is that you'll most likely be taking the Osaka Loop Line. And as the name suggests, it's a circle, so make sure you're traveling in the right direction. Otherwise, you might end up taking the scenic route around Osaka. You'll still get there, but it'll take considerably longer. Look for trains heading toward Nishikujo and Universal City. Depending on the service, you may need to change at Nishikujo to reach Universal City Station.
Once you arrive, just follow the signs for Universal Studios Japan, they are everywhere so you really can't miss it. It's about a 5–10-minute walk to the entrance, and you'll pass through Universal CityWalk Osaka along the way.
Interestingly, there are quite a few American restaurant chains here, including Red Lobster and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., but you'll also find sushi restaurants and plenty of other places to eat. There are also several shops selling merchandise similar to what you'll find inside the park, including plushies, hats, and T-shirts.
We didn't eat or buy anything at CityWalk ourselves, as we'd already done both inside the park. But one thing worth knowing is that there's a Lawson right next to Universal City Station. So if you need to grab an umbrella, an onigiri, or something else before heading into the park, you can just do it on the way there.
Tickets, Express Passes & How Many Days You Need
Is One Day Enough at Universal Studios Japan?
First things first, how many days do you actually need at Universal Studios Japan? Of course, that depends on how many times you want to go on certain rides, but personally, I think one day is more than enough, especially if you have an Express Pass.
We arrived around 10 AM and were finished by 5 PM, having done everything we wanted to do. Granted, we skipped one or two rides, but more on that later.
How to Buy Universal Studios Japan Tickets
Now, when it comes to tickets, things can get a little complicated. I noticed that a lot of people recommend buying their tickets through Klook, but after clicking through all the different options and add-ons, I honestly found it more confusing than helpful. So I decided to book directly through the official Universal Studios Japan website.
We bought a 1-Day Studio Pass for October 5, 2026, which was a Monday. We specifically chose a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds, although, as you can probably imagine, Universal Studios Japan is popular regardless of which day you visit, but it can help.
The important thing to know is that your entrance ticket and Express Pass are two separate purchases. The Studio Pass gets you into the park, while an Express Pass allows you to skip the regular lines for certain attractions.
Universal Studios Japan Express Passes
We decided to go for the Universal Express Pass Premium, mainly because we wanted guaranteed entry to Super Nintendo World. It was one of the biggest reasons we wanted to visit Universal Studios Japan, and I really didn't want to travel all the way to Japan only to find out we couldn't get in.
The Premium Express Pass cost us ¥114,000 for two people (approx. €645 / $715). Including our regular entrance tickets, we paid ¥133,800 in total (approx. €755 / $840).
Was that a lot of money? Absolutely. And I'm not going to lie, between the Japanese yen and the stress of getting those tickets, I don't think I fully realized just how much I was spending. I was basically clicking accept, accept, accept, without really registering the total. But having guaranteed access to Super Nintendo World and being able to experience the rides without spending hours waiting in line... well, we did get exactly what we wanted.
I also made sure to book our passes as soon as they became available. Was that absolutely necessary? I'm not entirely sure, but I'd much rather have everything arranged in advance than spend the weeks leading up to our trip worrying about sold-out passes. And if there's one thing I don't need, it's another reason to stress about travel plans instead of enjoying Japan.
Still not sure which Express Pass to buy? I totally get it. I've created a dedicated guide explaining all the different options, how and when to book them, and whether they're actually worth the money.
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World was one of the main reasons we wanted to visit Universal Studios Japan, and after seeing it all over social media, I was incredibly excited to finally see it with my own eyes.
To enter, you walk through one of those green Mario pipes, and even though I'd seen plenty of videos, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect on the other side. How big would it actually be? Would it look as impressive in person?
To be fair, it was smaller than I'd expected. The entire area feels quite compact and almost enclosed, especially as you walk down the stairs toward the attractions. But that's not necessarily a bad thing because there's just so much detail everywhere you look. And as someone who's been playing Nintendo games since childhood, I absolutely loved seeing it all in person.
Now, one thing to know is that entry to Super Nintendo World isn't always guaranteed with a regular park ticket. Depending on how busy it is, you may need a timed-entry ticket, which you can request through the Universal Studios Japan app once you're inside the park.
We had guaranteed entry included in our Express Passes, but interestingly, nobody checked our tickets when we entered Super Nintendo World. We could simply walk straight in, and we didn't see anyone checking tickets when we left around noon either. Apparently, the area wasn't busy enough to require timed entry that day, although it certainly didn't feel that way once we were inside.
We started with Yoshi's Adventure, which is one of the first rides you'll notice as you enter the area. The regular wait was around 40–50 minutes, while we were on the ride in approximately 10 minutes with our Express Passes.
We also rode Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge and Mine Cart Madness in Donkey Kong Country. The latter had some of the longest wait times we saw anywhere in the park, at around 180 minutes when we arrived. Even with our Express Passes, we waited approximately 15 minutes, which really wasn't bad considering the regular line.
If there's one ride I'd prioritize here, it's definitely Mine Cart Madness. I can't imagine those wait times getting much shorter as the day goes on, although that will obviously depend on how busy the park is.
We also bought a couple of Nintendo-themed dessert spoons with the item box attached and tried a Donkey Kong drink. As for the Power-Up Bands, I saw the line to buy one, but with so much going on around us, I was already in full-on "focus on what we need to do" mode. So, to be honest, I didn't even really consider getting one. I saw other people using theirs, but I never felt like I was missing out, and it's not something I regret skipping.
By the time we left around noon, the area had become noticeably much more crowded. And I have to admit, as much as happy as I was to finally experience Super Nintendo World, it was also a little overwhelming. Because the area feels so enclosed, the crowds seem even more intense, and we were quite happy to have experienced everything we wanted before moving on to the rest of the park.
Honestly, I loved Super Nintendo World. But did it live up to my expectations? I'm not entirely sure. I feel like seeing it hyped up so much online made me expect something even bigger than what it actually was. Not that the experience was disappointing, but I do wonder whether all those videos had blown it a little out of proportion in my head. Then again, isn't that the case with most things we see online?
The (Best) Rides at Universal Studios Japan
One thing I hadn't quite realized before visiting Universal Studios Japan was just how many attractions involve 3D screens, motion simulators, or spinning. And as someone who loves roller coasters but gets motion sick incredibly easily, that made choosing which rides to go on a little complicated.
Luckily, there are plenty of actual roller coasters and other attractions to experience. Here are the rides we went on, starting with my two favorites.
Mine Cart Madness
My absolute favorite ride at Universal Studios Japan! I initially expected Mine Cart Madness to be more of a children's roller coaster, but I was pleasantly surprised by how fast it actually was.
It's not an extreme roller coaster, but it has plenty of speed, turns, and some really fun theming. I loved how they'd incorporated the Donkey Kong games into the experience, and it was easily one of the rides I had the most fun on. After riding it, I could definitely understand why it had such an incredibly long line. As I mentioned earlier, the regular wait was around 180 minutes when we got there, so this is one I'd absolutely prioritize if you don't have an Express Pass.
Hollywood Dream – The Ride
My second favorite was Hollywood Dream – The Ride. We didn't really know what to expect beforehand, other than that it was a pretty big roller coaster.
What makes this one interesting is that you can ride it either forwards or backwards, although they're treated as separate attractions. We decided to stick to the forward version because I wasn't too keen on finding out what riding backwards would do to my motion sickness. And I'm not going to lie, this roller coaster is high. Really high. But it's also incredibly fun.
You get to choose a song before the ride starts, which then plays through the speakers in front of you as you're going around the track. It's fast, it's high, and there's something quite funny about listening to music while flying around on a roller coaster. There was a teenage girl sitting next to me who was absolutely terrified and cried her eyes out throughout the entire ride. But to be fair, I didn't find it nearly as scary as it looked. Although I have to say, the music definitely helped.
Flight of the Hippogriff
We also went on Flight of the Hippogriff in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Now, this was another ride we expected to be a relatively gentle children's coaster. And while it's definitely short, it was surprisingly fast! We were practically holding on for dear life, which made the whole thing even funnier. It's over fairly quickly, but we both really liked it.
Harry Potter and the Forbiden Journey
This was another ride I just couldn’t dare to do. I’d read so many horror stories online about how intense it can be for people with motion sickness that I didn't want to risk it. If Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge was already pushing my limits, I wasn't interested in finding out what a ride that apparently makes even people without motion sickness feel sick would do to me.
Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge
Speaking of Mario Kart, I actually forgot that this ride involved motion effects until we were already halfway through the waiting area.
By that point, we had our little Mario hats on, and I figured we might as well give it a try. We'd also ridden Peter Pan's Never Land Adventure at Tokyo DisneySea, which involves motion effects and ended up being one of our absolute favorites, so I was feeling a little more optimistic.
And to be fair, Mario Kart wasn't that bad. There were a couple of moments where I hoped the ride wouldn't go on much longer, because you're turning and moving around while trying to shoot at things on the screen. But you're also quite busy playing the game, which helped.
As for the ride itself, I thought it was fun, although I expected a little more from the Mario Kart concept. The entire waiting area and instructions build it up quite a bit, and then the actual ride feels a little underwhelming in comparison. I liked it, but it wasn't one of the most memorable attractions for me.
Yoshi's Adventure
Yoshi's Adventure is definitely more of a children's ride, so don't expect anything particularly fast or exciting. That said, I did like it.
You're riding through Super Nintendo World with the familiar music playing, and it's just a fun way to experience the area and see all the theming around you. It's a cute ride, but I wouldn't necessarily spend an hour waiting for it.
Jurassic Park – The Ride
I actually hadn't expected Jurassic Park – The Ride to be as much fun as it was.
It's a water ride that takes you through Jurassic Park, with a pretty substantial drop at the end. I knew there was a drop, but it was still a little more exciting than I'd expected. One thing you should know is that you can get absolutely soaked on this ride.
There are signs warning you beforehand, and lockers where you can leave your belongings. We decided to put our backpack away just in case, and I'm very glad we did. It had already started raining when we got on, so by the time we finished, we were even more soaked than before.
JAWS
JAWS is a completely different experience from the roller coasters, but I thought it was fun. You sit in a boat and travel through the themed area while the whole shark storyline plays out around you. I liked the decor, and it was nice to just sit down for a while rather than constantly rushing from one ride to another.
The main thing to know is that the entire experience is in Japanese. Unlike Disneyland Paris, where attractions often mix French and English, here everything was in Japanese. But I didn't feel like I missed out on much because of it. You can still understand what's happening from the action and the context, even if you don't understand the dialogue.
Sadako's Curse: Dark Horror Ride
This was our final ride of the day, and probably the one I was most nervous about for entirely different reasons.
During Halloween, Universal Studios Japan changes the theming of certain attractions, and Space Fantasy – The Ride had been transformed into Sadako's Curse, based on The Ring.
Now, I watched The Ring when I was about 14, and I genuinely couldn't sleep for weeks afterward. I was absolutely terrified. So when I saw there was a Ring-themed ride, I decided it was finally time to face my fears. Apparently, I was brave enough to confront Sadako, just not brave enough to hang face-down from a roller coaster. But more on that in a moment.
What I hadn't really paid attention to while confidently making my way through the waiting area were all the signs warning about spinning, sharp turns, and motion sickness.
Right before boarding, there was another enormous sign explaining that this was your last chance to leave if you couldn't handle those movements. By then, it was our last ride of the day, so I figured I'd just take the risk. If I got nauseous, at least we were heading back to the hotel afterward.
And surprisingly, it wasn't that bad!
You're mostly riding through the dark, with plenty of turns and some backwards movement, but I could still make out enough from the lights to understand where we were going. Personally, I actually found Mario Kart more difficult in terms of motion sickness. And the horror element? Not nearly as scary as I'd expected either.
So, after all those years, I finally faced my fear of the little girl crawling her way out of a TV.
Take that, Sadako/Samara!
The Flying Dinosaur
Now, there's one major roller coaster I deliberately skipped: The Flying Dinosaur.
I stood underneath it for a good ten minutes trying to convince myself to go on it. And even after walking away, I spent a considerable amount of time throughout the day debating whether I should go back.
The thing is, I'm usually fine with heights on roller coasters because I can sit in my little seat and convince myself I'm relatively safe. The Flying Dinosaur is a completely different story. You're suspended face-down, looking directly at the ground while going around an enormous track. And I just couldn't do it.
It looked incredibly high, and the idea of hanging face-down rather than sitting in a regular coaster seat was a little too much for me.
Do I regret not riding it? Not really. I was scared, I decided not to do it, and I'm perfectly fine with that.
Which Universal Studios Japan Rides Have 3D or Motion Effects?
Now, this is something I really struggled to find clear information about before our trip. I watched so many full ride videos on YouTube and even made my own list, but it was still surprisingly difficult to find one clear overview of which rides to avoid if you struggle with motion sickness.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love fast roller coasters, but 3D screens, spinning, and motion simulators are a completely different story. So if you're sensitive to motion sickness, I put together a breakdown of the attractions I'd pay attention to.
It's also worth distinguishing these attractions from rides like Hollywood Dream, Mine Cart Madness, and The Flying Dinosaur. Those are physical roller coasters rather than screen-based simulators, although the speed, drops, and turns can obviously still cause motion sickness.
Personally, I'm much more comfortable on a fast roller coaster where I can see what's happening around me than on a simulator where the screen and movement don't quite agree with each other.
| Attraction | Motion & Effects | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Tilting, turning, screens and simulated flying | Skipped because of motion sickness |
| Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem | Screen-based motion simulator | Skipped because it's a simulator |
| Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge | AR headset, moving vehicle and turning | Manageable, but uncomfortable at times |
| Space Fantasy / Sadako's Curse | Indoor coaster with rotating movements and darkness | Less difficult for me than Mario Kart |
| Shrek's 4-D Adventure | 3D film with physical theater effects | Didn't experience |
| Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic | 3D film with physical theater effects | Didn't experience |
Practical Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Japan
Do you need to arrive early at Universal Studios Japan? We arrived around 10 AM and there were barely any lines at the entrance. Since we had Express Passes, we weren't too worried about getting there early, and we still managed to do everything we wanted by 5 PM. However, I can't really say whether arriving early makes a big difference if you don't have an Express Pass.
Should you stay near Universal Studios Japan? Personally, I don't think it's necessary if you're only going for one day. But if you'd rather stay right next to the entrance, with views of the park from your room, there's The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan.
What should you wear? Comfortable shoes are essential because you'll be doing a lot of walking. I'd also recommend bringing an umbrella if there's any chance of rain. It rained quite a bit when we went.
Should you download the Universal Studios Japan app? Yes, definitely. You can check attraction wait times, find your way around the park, and apply for timed entry to Super Nintendo World if needed. I'd recommend downloading it before your trip so you have everything ready.
Where should you eat at Universal Studios Japan? There are plenty of restaurants throughout the park, including themed options in Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We ate at Amity Landing Restaurant in the Jaws area, and the food was fine, although nothing particularly memorable. You can also use mobile ordering at participating restaurants if you'd rather order ahead.
Can you bring your own food and drinks? Outside food is generally not allowed, although there are exceptions for certain dietary and medical needs. You can usually bring water in a refillable bottle or a plastic bottle. Keep in mind that you'll go through security checks before entering the park, similar to airport security, where your bags will be checked.
Can you pay by card? Yes, credit cards are accepted at restaurants and shops throughout the park, although it's worth having some cash available for things like certain lockers.
Are there luggage lockers? Yes, there are lockers both inside and outside Universal Studios Japan. Keep in mind that suitcases and large rolling bags aren't allowed inside the park, so you'll need to leave those in an outside locker. I saw there are lockers at the station. Some individual rides also have lockers for your backpacks, like Jurassic Park – The Ride and Space Fantasy.
Can you charge your phone at Universal Studios Japan? Yes, there are portable battery rental stations around the park. I'd still recommend bringing your own power bank, especially if you're using the official app throughout the day and taking lots of photos and videos.
Are the attractions in English? Most attractions are in Japanese, although safety instructions are available in English and staff can help if you have questions. We didn't have any trouble understanding the rides nor communicating.
Are there maximum height restrictions? Yes, and this actually caught us by surprise. My partner is around 1.88 m (approximately 6 ft 2 in), and the staff measured him before Flight of the Hippogriff because they thought he might be too tall. The maximum height is 195 cm, but even at 188 cm, he barely fit into the seat. His legs were so long that the safety bar only just closed. Another couple of centimeters and I'm not sure he would've been able to ride at all.
Can you skip lines without an Express Pass? Some attractions have Single Rider lines, which can reduce your waiting time if you don't mind riding separately from the people you're with.
Can you leave Universal Studios Japan and come back later? Not with a regular 1-Day Studio Pass. Re-entry generally isn't allowed, so if you're planning to eat at Universal CityWalk, I'd recommend doing that after you're finished in the park.
Is Universal Studios Japan Worth Visiting?
I had a really good time at Universal Studios Japan, and I'm glad we made it part of our Japan itinerary. But I do have to say that I expected a little more variety when it came to the attractions.
Compared with Disney, I felt there were fewer rides that weren't either roller coasters or screen-based experiences. I missed having more attractions like Pooh's Hunny Hunt or Peter Pan's Flight, where you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
That said, I was genuinely impressed by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And that's coming from someone who's hardly a Potterhead. I've seen maybe the first three movies and read approximately two pages of the first book when I was little, but my jaw practically dropped when we walked through the area. The amount of detail is incredible, and I completely understand why people would want to visit just to experience it.
Another thing I liked was how convenient Universal Studios Japan is from Osaka. You don't need to spend half the day traveling back and forth, so setting aside one day for the park is quite easy.
Now, let's talk about the money. As I mentioned earlier, I was so focused on securing our Express Passes that I didn't fully register how much we were spending. And looking back, it's an absolutely ridiculous amount of money for one day at a theme park.
But then again, the waiting times were unlike anything I'd seen before. By the afternoon, most of the popular rides had waits of two hours or more, and I can't imagine having a particularly fun day if you're spending that much time standing in line. Without Express Passes, I can definitely understand why someone might want to spread their visit over two days instead.
So, would I recommend Universal Studios Japan? Yes, I think it's absolutely fun to experience once, especially if you're interested in Nintendo, Harry Potter, or roller coasters. But would I go back on my next trip to Japan? Probably not.
Compared with Tokyo Disney Resort, which I'd happily go to again, I feel like I've experienced what I wanted to at Universal Studios Japan. And with so many other things to see and do in Japan, I don't think I'd prioritize a second time.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out here or on Instagram. I’m more than happy to answer them.
I wish you a great time at Universal Studios Japan!
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