“Must go faster”
Let's get right into it: I'm a fast-pass girly. In the words of Parker Posey in The White Lotus, "At this age, I'm just not meant to live an uncomfortable life." And that's true. My knees start hurting, my patience is nonexistent, and I get overwhelmed incredibly easily. But I still love theme parks. It's my cross to bear, but I just do.
So luckily for people like me, there are Express Passes, FastPasses, Lightning Lanes, whatever you want to call them. Basically, you pay to skip the line.
Now, these passes aren't cheap, and especially at Universal Studios Japan, things can get quite complicated if you've never dealt with them before. And since I love to come (over)prepared to any function, I did plenty of research into Universal Studios Japan and the different Express Pass options to make sure we could get the most out of our day.
It was our first time in Japan, and our first time at any Universal Studios park, so naturally, I didn't want to miss a thing.
So, what exactly are Express Passes, how do you buy them, and what should you look out for?
I'll tell you.
In this Guide
How & When to Buy Express Passes: Klook vs. Official Website
My Verdict: Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
Planning a day at Universal Studios Japan? Check out my Universal Studios Japan guide for tips on the best rides, Super Nintendo World, and everything you need to know before going.
So, which Universal Studios Japan Express Pass should you buy, and is it actually worth the money? Here's what you need to know:
What Is a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass?
So, what exactly is an Express Pass? It's essentially a ticket that allows you to skip the regular line at certain attractions and use a separate Express Pass lane instead.
At Universal Studios Japan, you'll generally find three ways to line up for attractions: the regular line, which anyone with a park ticket can use; the Single Rider line, which lets you fill an empty seat if you don't mind riding separately from your group; and the Express Pass line, which is reserved for people who've purchased priority access.
And trust me, the waiting times at Universal Studios Japan can get incredibly long. When we were there, we regularly saw waits of two to three hours, with some attractions approaching 200 minutes by the afternoon.
Now, imagine standing in line for three hours, only to spend about three minutes on the actual ride.
That's where an Express Pass comes in. You simply show your ticket with its QR code at the Express Pass entrance of an included attraction, and you're directed into a much shorter line.
For us, that meant waiting around 10–15 minutes for rides that had regular waiting times of 40, 50, or even 180 minutes. So while an Express Pass doesn't mean you'll walk straight onto every ride, it can make an enormous difference to how much you can actually do in one day.
The important thing to know is that an Express Pass doesn't include admission to Universal Studios Japan. You'll still need to buy a regular Studio Pass separately. And depending on which Express Pass you choose, you'll get priority access to different attractions, with some options also including guaranteed entry to Super Nintendo World.
Which brings us to the next question: which Express Pass should you actually buy?
Express Pass Options: Which One Should You Buy?
Now, this is where things got complicated for me. As someone who struggles with motion sickness, I already knew there were certain attractions I wouldn't be able to go on, like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. So, I wanted to make sure I bought an Express Pass that actually included the rides we wanted to do, rather than paying for a bunch of attractions I was probably going to skip.
The thing is, I absolutely love roller coasters. It's the combination of screens and movement that makes me feel sick, especially when things are coming toward you on a screen while the ride itself is moving in a different direction. So, while I was happy to go on fast roller coasters, I knew certain motion-based attractions were going to be a problem.
And honestly, comparing all the different options was quite a challenge. The Universal Studios Japan ticketing website does have filters to help you narrow things down, but I still found it difficult to figure out exactly which rides were included in which pass. I eventually ended up cross-checking everything with pen and paper, old-school style, just to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
If you're like me and struggle with screens and motion, I've also created a table of Universal Studios Japan rides with 3D, 4D, and motion effects in my main guide, which might make choosing your Express Pass a little easier.
Eventually, the Premium Express Pass became available before our trip, and I panicked and bought it. For a premium price, naturally.
Looking back, I don't think that was necessary at all. But to be fair, I did take comfort in knowing there wouldn't be any surprises once we got there. We could just use our passes for the included attractions whenever we wanted, without worrying about whether we'd chosen the right package.
Comparing all the options
So, to make things a little easier for you, I've created a comparison table showing which attractions are included in some of the most popular Express Pass options.
I didn’t include prices because they change depending on the date and the specific pass. You can check those on the Universal Studios Japan ticketing website.
My advice would be to make a list of the rides you actually want to do first, then compare them with the options below. I've also covered most of the attractions in my Universal Studios Japan guide, if you want to know what they're like before deciding.
One more thing to keep in mind when comparing Express Passes is that some passes have designated time slots for specific attractions. So, depending on which pass you buy, you might have to go on Mario Kart at a specific time or enter Super Nintendo World during a particular window. Other rides can be experienced whenever you want.
| Express Pass | Included Attractions | Super Nintendo World |
|---|---|---|
| Express Pass 4 Mine Cart & JAWS |
|
Guaranteed entry |
| Express Pass 5 Race & Minion Special |
|
Guaranteed entry |
| Express Pass 7 Mine Cart & Selection |
|
Guaranteed entry |
| Express Pass 8 Minion & Mine Cart Special |
|
Guaranteed entry |
| Express Pass Premium Our choice | Priority access without designated time slots to a much larger selection of attractions, including the Nintendo rides, Hollywood Dream, both Harry Potter rides, Jurassic Park, JAWS, and other attractions | Guaranteed entry |
These are examples of the available pass combinations. Passes with the same number can include different rides. "OR" means you can choose one of the listed attractions.
What About Universal Express Pass Premium?
Now, the Universal Express Pass Premium is a little different from the other options. Instead of covering a fixed selection of four, five, or seven attractions, it includes priority access to a much larger range of rides and shows throughout the park.
Our Premium passes included all three Super Nintendo World rides, both Harry Potter attractions, Hollywood Dream and Backdrop, Jurassic Park, JAWS, The Flying Dinosaur, Minion Mayhem, and several other attractions and shows.
The biggest advantage for us was that we didn't have to book specific time slots for individual rides. We could decide what we wanted to do next without having to plan our entire day around a schedule.
But there was another reason I chose Premium. Most of the other passes I was considering included JAWS or Jurassic Park – The Ride, whereas I wanted to do both. And rather than trying to figure out which one to leave out, I decided to go for Premium.
Looking back, I think I slightly overcommitted. Jurassic Park had a regular waiting time of only around 15 minutes when we were there, partly because it was raining, while JAWS was around 30 minutes. We could've easily bought one of the Express Pass 7 options I'd originally been considering and simply waited in the regular line for whichever of the two wasn't included.
Instead, we paid ¥114,000 (approx. €645 / $715) for two Premium Express Passes, which was a lot of money, especially since regular admission isn't included.
Of course, I didn't know what the waiting times would be like when I booked. And I did like knowing we could go on whichever rides we wanted without having to worry about whether they were included in our passes. But knowing what I know now, I don't think Premium was really necessary for us.
What About Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours?
Another option you might come across when looking at Express Passes is the Universal VIP Experience. These are guided tours of the park that also include priority access to attractions and additional benefits. So, if regular Express Passes are sold out for your date, it might be worth checking whether there are still VIP Tours available.
There are both group and private VIP Tours, with benefits that can include access to the VIP Lounge, additional Express Passes, and meals, depending on the package.
Personally, we went with the Premium Express Pass instead of a VIP Tour because I really don't like having to follow a group or a guide around a theme park. I prefer being able to decide what I want to do next, whether that's going on another ride, stopping for something to eat, or just walking around.
We actually saw a couple of tour groups during our day at Universal Studios Japan, and I have to say, it didn't look like something I'd particularly like. Having to follow someone else's schedule takes away a bit of the freedom I want when I'm at a theme park.
But if you don't mind following a guide and would rather have someone organize your day, a VIP Tour could be worth considering, especially if you can't get the Express Pass you want.
Guaranteed Entry to Super Nintendo World
First things first, getting into Super Nintendo World and getting on the rides are two completely different things. Having guaranteed entry means you can access that particular area of Universal Studios Japan, but it doesn't mean you can skip the regular lines for the attractions themselves. For that, you'll need an Express Pass that specifically includes those rides.
Now, I think it's safe to assume that Super Nintendo World is one of the main reasons many people want to go to Universal Studios Japan. It certainly was for us, and having guaranteed entry was one of the biggest reasons we wanted an Express Pass in the first place.
Super Nintendo World is a separate, relatively small area of the park that you enter through one of those green Mario pipes. And because it's quite compact, it can get incredibly crowded. There were moments when we could barely see where we were walking because of how many people were around us.
That's why Universal Studios Japan sometimes restricts entry to the area. Many Express Pass options include guaranteed entry to Super Nintendo World, but the difference is whether you're assigned a specific entry window or can go in whenever you want. With our Premium passes, we could enter at any time, whereas other passes may require you to enter during a designated time slot.
Now, you might have seen videos of people lining up outside Universal Studios Japan long before the park opens. One of the reasons people do this is Super Nintendo World. If you arrive early enough, you might be able to walk straight in before timed-entry restrictions begin. Alternatively, you can request a free timed-entry ticket through the official Universal Studios Japan app, but only once you've entered the park. You can register your Studio Pass in the app beforehand to save yourself some time.
But here's something interesting. We went on Monday, October 5, and entered Super Nintendo World at around 10 AM. Nobody checked our tickets. We simply walked straight in.
And when we left around noon, nobody was checking tickets then either. So apparently, even with how popular Super Nintendo World has become, there are still days, or at least times of day, when you can just walk in without a timed-entry ticket.
The interesting part is that it was already incredibly crowded when we got there, and by noon, it was becoming almost too much. If that was what the area looked like when entry wasn't even being restricted, I can only imagine how busy it must get on days when everyone needs a timed-entry ticket.
Of course, I wouldn't recommend relying on being able to walk straight in, especially if Super Nintendo World is one of the main reasons you're going. Having guaranteed entry through an Express Pass meant we didn't have to worry about whether we'd actually get in.
How & When to Buy Express Passes: Klook vs. Official Website
Once you've decided which Express Pass you want, the next step is actually buying it. One important thing to remember is that you'll need to buy a separate Studio Pass to enter Universal Studios Japan, as your Express Pass doesn't include park admission. And while you have several options for buying your tickets, including Klook and the official Universal Studios Japan website, there are a few things I'd recommend knowing beforehand.
When Do Universal Studios Japan Express Passes Go on Sale?
Universal Studios Japan generally releases tickets around two months before your planned date. The important thing to remember is that everything runs on Japanese time, so depending on where you live, the tickets might become available the previous day.
For us, that meant tickets for October 5, 2026, were expected to go on sale on August 5. And since I live in Amsterdam, midnight in Japan was actually 4 PM on August 4.
So, naturally, I was sitting behind my laptop at exactly 4 PM, ready to book.
Was that absolutely necessary? I'm not sure. But considering how quickly some Express Passes sell out, I wasn't taking any chances. I'd already spent enough time researching all the different options, and the last thing I wanted was to finally decide on a pass only to find out it was sold out.
One thing I'd recommend is checking the ticketing website before your booking date, as release dates and times can vary, particularly for certain Express Pass options.
Klook vs. the Official Universal Studios Japan Website
Now, you'll probably come across plenty of people recommending Klook for buying Universal Studios Japan tickets. And I did look into it myself.
But honestly, between all the different add-ons, ticket combinations, and descriptions, I found it quite confusing. I also noticed that some of the wording didn't quite match what I was seeing on the Universal Studios Japan website, and with that much money involved, I really didn't want to risk buying something different from what I needed.
I'd also come across comments on social media from people who said they'd had issues receiving their QR codes or getting the correct tickets through Klook. I can't say how common those problems are, but I didn't particularly want to find out.
So, I decided to buy everything through the official Universal Studios Japan website.
What I liked was that the website guided me through the booking process step by step. I could select our date, choose our regular Studio Passes, and then add the Express Passes, rather than trying to piece everything together through different booking options.
And here's something I really want to mention because I saw quite a few people saying you couldn't book through the Japanese website without a Japanese address.
You can just use your hotel's address in Japan. At least, that's exactly what I did, and our payment went through without any issues.
We bought two 1-Day Studio Passes and two Universal Express Pass Premium tickets, paying a total of ¥133,800 (approx. €755 / $840) for both of us, including tax.
Once the purchase was complete, I received our confirmation and QR codes, which we could use to enter the park and access the attractions included in our Express Passes. You can also register your tickets in the Universal Studios Japan app.
The only thing to keep in mind is that the confirmation emails and ticket information may be in Japanese. Ours were, but I simply used the translation function, and it wasn't a big deal.
Personally, I'd book directly again. Not because Klook is necessarily a bad option, but because when I'm spending that much money on tickets, I'd rather buy them through Universal Studios Japan itself than deal with a third party if something goes wrong.
My Verdict: Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
For me, absolutely. In fact, I personally wouldn't go to Universal Studios Japan without an Express Pass.
The waiting times were unlike anything I'd seen at other theme parks. By the afternoon, even some of the Single Rider lines were incredibly long, and most of the popular attractions had regular waits of two hours or more. And while you can obviously still have a great time walking around the park, I don't think you'll get nearly as much out of your day if you're spending two or three hours waiting for every ride you want to experience.
Now, was the Premium Express Pass worth the money? That's a slightly different question.
Looking back, I do think I overcommitted a little. An Express Pass 7 would've covered most of what we wanted to do, and we could've simply waited in the regular line for one or two additional rides. Especially considering how much Premium costs, that would've been a much more cost-effective option.
But here's the thing: with Premium, we genuinely didn't have to worry about anything. We weren't checking the time, trying to figure out which attraction we could still use our pass for, or planning our day around specific ride slots. We also had guaranteed entry to Super Nintendo World, which was one of my biggest concerns before going. To be fair, a designated entry window would've been perfectly fine too, but knowing we could get in whenever we wanted gave me a lot of peace of mind. So we just went our merry way around the park, doing whatever we felt like doing next.
And I have to say, there's something to be said for that. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, I probably paid more than I needed to, but it's a one-and-done kind of purchase. You pay for the pass, and you don't really have to worry about anything else.
So, if you want that freedom and don't mind paying extra for it, I can absolutely understand choosing Premium. But I wouldn't automatically assume that the most expensive Express Pass is the best option.
Personally, if I were booking again, I'd probably choose Express Pass 7. I'd make sure it included the rides with the longest waiting times, especially Mine Cart Madness, Mario Kart, Yoshi's Adventure, and the Harry Potter attractions, and just take my chances with the regular lines for anything else.
Because while I might have gone a little overboard with Premium, I definitely don't regret buying Express Passes.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Happy Travels!
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