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As Harry Potter and theme park followers, we couldn’t miss Common Studios Japan on our go to to Osaka.
Whereas wandering by means of the magical Harry Potter World was the spotlight of our day, we additionally rode the scariest rollercoaster we’ve ever been on and found many extra enjoyable points of interest.
Common Studios Japan (USJ) is nicely price a day if you’re in Osaka. It’s simply accessible from the town, and the massive park (a lot larger than Common Singapore) has lots to maintain you busy all day.
On this publish, I share one of the best Common Studios Japan rides for adults and older youngsters in addition to recommendations on avoiding queues, how you can get there, one of the best place to purchase tickets, and far more to profit from your day.
I’ve additionally added an replace with the brand new Tremendous Nintendo World after our second go to to USJ.
Contents
Time-Saving Common Japan Suggestions
Common Studios Japan is without doubt one of the busiest theme parks on the earth with queues which might be typically 1-3 hours lengthy. It’s important to plan prematurely.
To maximise the variety of USJ rides you possibly can expertise in a day, listed below are our prime ideas:
- Book your tickets in advance here with official accomplice Klook. You possibly can then present the e-ticket in your cellphone to get in. The park does repeatedly promote out.
- Pay extra for an Express Pass to skip the traces (and ebook this two months prematurely if potential). See under for extra particulars on the varieties of passes. I might not go to USJ with out one (we saved 9 hours of queueing with ours!).
- Go to on a weekday (and verify it’s not a Japan nationwide vacation).
- Obtain the Universal Studios Japan app to verify wait occasions on the day and get entry to the Space Timed Entry ticket wanted for Tremendous Nintendo World.
- Arrive no less than 60 minutes earlier than park opening (until you might have an Categorical Cross 7). They typically open the gates as much as an hour earlier than official opening.
- Use the single-rider line in case you don’t have an Categorical Cross. That is extra helpful for some rides than others (as mentioned under).
- Keep till park closing – The final hour is the quietest time to discover Harry Potter World. Observe that reentry to the park is probably not allowed.
Prime Common Studios Japan Rides and Points of interest
1) Exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is my favorite space at Common Studios Japan.
To get there you stroll down an extended pathway lined with pine timber (previous the automotive that Ron crashed!), so it feels separate from the remainder of the park, like you might be getting into one other world.
Even in case you don’t go on one of many two rides right here, it’s a pleasure to wander the snowy cobbled streets of a superbly recreated Hogsmeade village.
You possibly can store for wands at Ollivanders, jokes at Zonko’s and sweets at Honeydukes and have a pint of butterbeer within the Hog’s Head or Three Broomsticks. The nice and cozy butterbeer on a chilly day was scrumptious (if very candy).
It’s also possible to take a photograph subsequent to the Hogwarts Categorical, see owls ready to ship mail within the owlery, and ship letters with a Hogsmeade postmark in The Owl Submit.
Most spectacular of all is Hogwarts Fort perched on rocks overlooking the village.
Harry Potter World does get very busy, however you now not want a timed entry ticket, so it’s possible you’ll wish to go to a number of occasions throughout the day.
The world is especially beautiful at sundown and after darkish.
2) Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Sort of Experience: Thrill Experience, 3D Movement Simulator
- Minimal Top: 122cm (48 inches)
- Locker Required: Sure for luggage (free, out there in queue)
- Single Rider Accessible: Sure
- Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the principle attraction in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and among the finest rides at Common Japan.
It takes place inside Hogwarts Fort, and I benefit from the stroll by means of the fort seeing Dumbledore’s workplace, lecture rooms, and speaking work (in Japanese!) as a lot because the trip itself.
It’s a 3D trip however glasses aren’t wanted as you might be immersed on the earth of Hogwarts, participating in a Quidditch sport, feeling the warmth of a dragon’s fireplace in your face, and even getting spit at by big spiders.
It’s an exhilarating expertise with unbelievable results. It did set off my movement illness, nevertheless it was definitely worth the nausea and I recovered shortly.
If this is a matter for you, contemplate taking movement illness remedy like dramamine, as I did not too long ago at Common Studios Florida (which has most of the identical rides as USJ).
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a well-liked USJ trip, so it’s greatest ridden with an Categorical Cross. We did this on our final go to and nonetheless obtained to stroll by means of Hogwarts however with out the lengthy waits.
Alternatively, trip it very first thing (you probably have secured Timed Entry for Tremendous Nintendo World), or wait till the tip of the day.
The opposite trip in Harry Potter World is Flight of the Hippogriff, a mild outside rollercoaster for teenagers. Simon discovered it enjoyable however very brief and never definitely worth the typical lengthy waits (it was included in our Categorical Cross).
3) Wand Magic
The opposite factor we love doing in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Wand Magic the place we solid our personal spells!
This may not be for everybody as you first have to purchase a magical wand from one of many shops, however for giant Harry Potter followers, it’s price it, and you find yourself with a fantastically created memento.
There are a number of factors across the village the place you possibly can carry out spells—you get a map along with your wand and also can search for the bronze medallions on the ground that present the spell.
We used the Incendio spell to gentle a chimney (after many failed makes an attempt!) and one other to make it snow down a again alley. It’s a variety of enjoyable and actually added to the expertise.
After all, probably the most genuine place to buy your wand is Ollivanders, however there’s normally a ten–15 minute wait to get in.
It’s also possible to purchase the magic wands at different shops within the space. Or we had no wait from the wand cart on the principle road. Ensure you get the particular magic wand and never the common wands which you’ll be able to’t use for spells.
An interactive wand value 5500 yen ($36) on our go to. To go the entire hog, you might additionally purchase a Hogwarts robe for 16,000 yen ($104).
We purchased our robes from the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo, which gave us double the picture alternatives and was a bit cheaper at 13,000 yen.
There are sometimes lengthy traces to solid the spells, so I like to recommend returning to the realm within the final hour of park opening, when it’s a lot quieter.
4) The Flying Dinosaur
- Sort of Experience: Thrill Experience, Rollercoaster with Inversions
- Minimal Top: 132cm (52 inches)
- Locker Required: Sure for luggage and telephones (free, out there in queue)
- Single Rider Accessible: Sure (however doesn’t save a lot)
- Location: Jurassic Park
Oh my—The Flying Dinosaur is intense! It’s the scariest rollercoaster we’ve ever been on, and it’s good enjoyable!
It’s situated in Jurassic Park and the thought is that an out-of-control Pteranodon seizes you from behind and pulls you excessive into the sky.
Because of this when you’ve sat down, your seat is turned 90 levels in the direction of the ground so that you’re dealing with straight down. There may be nothing between your face and the bottom far under!
The trip is so quick and disorientating that I don’t bear in mind precisely what occurred, nevertheless it concerned a number of 360º inversions, many twists and turns, and an underground part.
This wild and distinctive coaster ought to to not be missed by thrill-seekers—it’s among the finest Common Studios Japan points of interest.
As The Flying Dinosaur wasn’t included in our Categorical Cross (embody it in case you can), Simon rode this by himself on our newest go to. The one rider line right here doesn’t prevent a lot time, although. He ended up ready 60 minutes when the standby queue was 70 minutes.
Observe you can’t take any unfastened objects on the trip, however you might be allowed to maintain your cellphone till the final 20 minutes of the queue if you put all the pieces in lockers.
5) Play in Tremendous Nintendo World
Tremendous Nintendo World is a brand new themed land that opened at Common Studios Japan in March 2021. Accessed by way of a large warp pipe, you might be transported to a Tremendous Mario sport.
It’s now the most well-liked space within the park and virtually all the time requires a timed entry ticket. You may get one without spending a dime on the USJ app (arrive earlier than park opening and do that as quickly as you enter the gates—they run out quick).
Or for assured entry, I like to recommend you purchase an Express Pass, as we did (you’ll be given a time to enter the realm). It’s one of many prime Japan attractions, so don’t miss out!
Alongside Harry Potter World, that is one of the best themed space in USJ. It’s such a enjoyable and vibrant world that impresses as quickly as you enter.
Our timed entry was an evening, which we have been initially upset about (and we did miss out on consuming within the cafe), however the vibrant land seems unbelievable in opposition to the black night time sky—you overlook you might be exterior.
You should buy a Tremendous Nintendo World wristband to entry varied mini video games within the space. Sync it with the USJ app to maintain observe of your rating.
Queues are pretty lengthy for these video games, so enable loads of time to expertise all of them (3-4 hours together with rides with Categorical Cross). We skipped the wristbands however nonetheless took benefit of some picture ops.
The perfect trip in Tremendous Nintendo World is Mario Kart (see under), but when queues are brief, or it’s included in your Categorical Cross (because it was for us), you’ll additionally wish to trip Yoshi’s Journey.
This can be a mild, family-friendly trip the place you go on a treasure hunt to gather mysterious eggs. It’s not terribly thrilling, however it’s cute, and the elevated partially exterior observe has view over the realm.
6) Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem
- Sort of Experience: Augmented Actuality Darkish Experience
- Minimal Top: 107cm (42 inches)
- Locker Required: No
- Single Rider Accessible: Sure
- Location: Tremendous Nintendo World
The signature trip in Tremendous Nintendo World is Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem. (Bowser is called Koopa in Japan).
It’s a dream come true for Mario geeks like Simon as the enduring Mario Kart programs are delivered to life.
The interactive, augmented actuality trip is housed inside Bowser’s Fort and the queue by means of right here is a part of the enjoyable with a number of particulars to discover. This was our longest wait with an Categorical Cross (25 minutes with a standby estimate of 80 minutes), however we didn’t thoughts.
Observe that I’ve heard the one rider line misses one of the best particulars, so perhaps maintain that for a repeat trip.
On the finish of the queue, you placed on a Mario visor, which plugs right into a particular lens if you get into your kart to be able to see the AR imagery.
The trip entails rushing across the race tracks, throwing shells on the villains to earn cash. It’s fairly chaotic with a number of particulars to absorb, nevertheless it’s actually enjoyable and Mario followers will find it irresistible.
That is greatest ridden with an Categorical Cross, which you’ll additionally doubtless have to enter the realm. In any other case, head right here very first thing.
7) Mine Cart Insanity (Coming Quickly)
Donkey Kong Nation is a brand new space attributable to open in 2024 inside Tremendous Nintendo World.
It’s going to embody USJ’s latest trip, Mine Cart Insanity, an unpredictable rollercoaster that launches from the Golden Temple, races by means of the jungle, and leaps throughout collapsed tracks.
I’ve included it on this Common Japan trip record as I do know it will likely be one of the in style rides as soon as it opens.
8) Hollywood Dream – The Experience
- Sort of Experience: Thrill Experience, Rollercoaster
- Minimal Top: 132cm (52 inches)
- Locker Required: Luggage and unfastened objects (together with telephones) aren’t allowed however everybody leaves them on the platform earlier than the trip.
- Single Rider Accessible: Sure (however doesn’t save a lot)
- Location: Hollywood
For those who choose your rollercoasters barely much less terrifying than The Flying Dinosaur, then Hollywood Dream is for you.
This clean, non-inverting, high-speed coaster has some abdomen dropping ramps and vertical drops.
I like you can select a track as your private soundtrack. It’s a really enjoyable trip.
Hollywood Dream is without doubt one of the hottest rides at USJ with wait occasions over two hours all through the day on our final go to. You undoubtedly need Categorical for this one—with our move we waited Quarter-hour when the standby queue was 130 minutes.
9) Hollywood Dream – The Experience (Backdrop)
It’s also possible to trip the identical coaster backwards on Hollywood Dream – The Experience (Backdrop). It has the identical entrance and observe as Hollywood Dream, however you trip in several vehicles that go in reverse.
As one of many busiest USJ rides, it’s greatest ridden with an Categorical Cross (ours included each coasters).
If it’s a must to select only one, I most well-liked the common model. I discovered going backwards a bit disorientating however much less scary than dealing with the entrance as you possibly can’t see what’s coming.
10) Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Sort of Experience: 3D Movement Simulator
- Minimal Top: 102cm (40 inches)
- Locker Required: No
- Single Rider Accessible: Sure
- Location: Minion Park
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is situated within the enjoyable, vibrant Minion Park and is an immersive 3D simulator trip with out glasses utilizing a large dome display.
The entire expertise is about 25 minutes as there’s an extended intro video (with English subtitles) that provides to the context.
The trip itself is narrative heavy, and though we couldn’t observe the Japanese, we obtained the final concept, and it’s nonetheless a enjoyable expertise as you bounce round a large manufacturing facility in your approach to turning into a Minion.
Sadly, that is one other trip that’s not nice for these with movement illness (I selected to skip it on our second go to).
If it’s not included along with your Categorical Cross (it’s not a precedence for us), wait till the tip of the day when the queues drop off at this family-friendly attraction.
11) Jurassic Park – The Experience
Replace 2024: Jurassic Park is closed till 2025 for a significant refurbishment.
Jurassic Park is a largely mild water trip by means of a park full of dinosaurs. There’s an enormous and enjoyable drop on the finish the place it’s possible you’ll get moist (particularly within the entrance row).
We purchased ponchos (400 yen) simply in case as we didn’t wish to threat getting moist on a chilly day. There are additionally lockers out there (100 yen which will get returned to you).
In winter this was one of many best rides to get on, however I think about it’s busier in the summertime.
12) JAWS
- Sort of Experience: Boat Experience
- Minimal Top: None when accompanied by an grownup.
- Locker Required: No
- Single Rider Accessible: Sure
- Location: Amity Village
JAWS is a traditional Common attraction, and because the model at Common Studios Florida has closed, that is the one place on the earth to trip it now.
What begins as a leisurely boat tour (in Japanese) of Amity Harbour turns into extra thrilling when a big man-eating shark seems. It’s a scary one!
JAWS is an effective attraction to make use of the one rider queue as Japanese households choose to trip this collectively. Simon solely waited two minutes when the standby queue was 40 minutes.
Wait occasions additionally drop within the night, so this is without doubt one of the solely rides on this record the place an Categorical Cross isn’t mandatory.
13) Waterworld Present
When you’ve got time in your itinerary, maybe within the afternoon when wait occasions are longest, contemplate watching the Waterworld present. Verify the app for present occasions and arrive no less than Quarter-hour early.
This dramatic, water-based stunt present takes place in an out of doors amphitheatre and options jet ski chases, explosions, fights, and spectacular jumps. For those who sit within the entrance rows, count on to get very moist!
Whereas the present is in Japanese, you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the particular results.
I did discover the present (as with the entire park) very loud, so appreciated my AirPods.
14) House Fantasy (Seasonal Overlays)
House Fantasy is an indoor rollercoaster in the dead of night. It used to have an area theme however the unique trip is closed indefinitely.
Now it solely opens with overlays for particular occasions resembling with VR for Cool Japan and when it turns into Sadako’s Curse at Halloween.
These have combined opinions however are price testing if wait occasions are low.
Common Studios Osaka Tickets
Common Studios Japan is a really busy park all year long, so we extremely advocate booking your tickets in advance. They do promote out.
A in the future ticket prices from 8,600 yen ($56) with larger costs at peak occasions. You might also wish to pay additional for an Categorical Cross (see under).
Buy Universal Studios Japan tickets here with Klook, an authorised accomplice of USJ and the best method for English audio system to purchase. Worldwide playing cards don’t work on the official USJ web site.
We used Klook for our tickets on our final journey and it was very easy. We acquired a PDF ticket with a QR code that we saved on our cellphone and scanned on the ticket gates for entry. As soon as within the park, scan the ticket into the USJ app to have entry to timed entry requests.
Is a Common Studios Japan Categorical Cross Price It?
Even once we visited in winter, Common Studios Japan was the busiest theme park we’ve visited (sure, even busier than Disney).
The park options many main points of interest that you simply gained’t wish to miss, however all of them have very lengthy queue occasions from as quickly because the park opens.
You can get on a number of rides shortly initially of the day in case you arrive early, however you gained’t be capable of do all the pieces with out waits of no less than an hour and normally for much longer.
The one approach to assure to get on all the pieces with out lengthy waits is buying an Express Pass, which prices greater than the doorway ticket.
You’ll be assigned a selected time to trip every attraction and can solely have a minimal wait. We normally waited 5-Quarter-hour (the exception was Mario Kart at 25 minutes).
Our 7-ride Categorical Cross saved us an unimaginable 565 minutes (over 9 hours) of ready in traces!
Sure, it’s costly, however I completely suppose an Categorical Cross is price it to keep away from frustration and make your park day extra pleasing.
One other main bonus of the Categorical Cross is that the majority embody assured timed entry to Tremendous Nintendo World.
Categorical Passes promote out much more shortly than tickets, so I counsel reserving two months prematurely for probably the most alternative and greatest trip occasions.
We booked a month prematurely for our November go to and all of the 4-ride passes have been already offered out.
Once more, Klook is the best method to purchase passes, because the USJ web site is in Japanese solely (I attempted utilizing Translate nevertheless it was too sophisticated a course of).
The draw back is that we couldn’t select the trip occasions (though apparently you possibly can with the newest Klook app). We ended up with trip occasions starting from 2pm to 8pm.
Initially I used to be upset to not have morning trip occasions, nevertheless it ended up being a blessing as we might skip the rope drop rush, have a lie-in, and keep till 10pm park closing.
It’s relatively complicated as there are numerous completely different passes relying on which rides you should use them on and costs fluctuate by date. They do change continuously.
USJ Categorical Cross 7
Presently, one of the best move out there is the Express Pass 7- Variety.
It prices no less than 18,000 yen ($117) and consists of:
- Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem
- Yoshi’s Journey
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- The Flying Dinosaur
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Hollywood Dream or JAWS ( I might select Hollywood Dream)
The one main trip lacking is Hollywood Dream Backdrop, nevertheless it’s not an enormous deal to skip this if you’re using Hollywood Dream. Experience JAWS single rider or on the finish of the day.
That is just like the move we had that saved us over 9 hours of queuing!
USJ Categorical Cross 4
A less expensive Categorical Cross consists of simply 4 rides. Once more there are a number of choices and it’s tougher to decide on one of the best one. It’s a must to resolve which rides are most necessary to you.
I might go for the Express Pass 4 – Variety Ride because it consists of my three favorite rides. It prices from 15,000 yen ($97) and is legitimate on:
- Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- The Flying Dinosaur OR Hollywood Dream OR JAWS (I’d select Flying Dinosaur)
- Demon Slayer XR (a short lived overlay of House Fantasy)
For those who like rollercoasters, I’d advocate upgrading to Categorical Cross 7 so you possibly can trip each Flying Dinosaur and Hollywood Dream.
Common USJ Queue Occasions
For those who’re undecided whether or not an Categorical Cross is price it or not, listed below are the typical queue occasions at Common Japan all year long (count on larger in peak intervals).
- Hollywood Dream Backdrop – 103 minutes
- Mario Kart – 96 minutes
- Hollywood Dream – 86 minutes
- Flight of the Hippogriff – 81 minutes
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – 73 minutes
- The Flying Dinosaur – 71 minutes
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – 67 minutes
- Yoshi’s Journey – 63 minutes
- JAWS – 47 minutes
- Jurassic Park – 47 minutes
Common Studios Japan Opening Hours
Common Studios Osaka normally opens between 8am and 10am and closes between 7pm and 10pm.
See the USJ calendar to verify the hours (and trip closures) for the date you might be visiting. Occasions are solely launched a number of months prematurely.
Until you might have Categorical Cross 7, it is best to arrive no less than an hour earlier than the official opening to get into the park as shortly as potential. They typically open early.
Find out how to Get to Common Studios Osaka
It’s straightforward to get to Common Studios Japan by prepare from central Osaka and shouldn’t take greater than half-hour. Common Metropolis Station is simply a 5-minute stroll from the park.
To get right here, you’ll doubtless want to alter at Nishikujo station and switch to the JR Yumesaki Line (also referred to as JR Sakurajima Line).
For instance, from Namba Station take the Hanshin Namba Line to Nishikujo then change there for Common Metropolis Station.
You should utilize your ICOCA or SUICA card which is the best approach to pay for transport in Osaka.
You should utilize Google Maps or Navitime to search out the route out of your nearest station.
Motels Close to Common Studios Japan
Common Studios Japan is well reachable from central Osaka, but when your journey is targeted on the park it will be handy to remain in one in all these inns just some minutes stroll away:
- The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan – The latest official resort and the closest one to the park gates (proper in entrance!). It has giant rooms (uncommon for Japan) and plenty of facilities.
- Hotel Universal Port Vita – Vibrant rooms, solely a 5-minute stroll to the park, and enjoyable Minion decor within the foyer. We stayed right here and appreciated the placement.
- Hotel Universal Port – Snug rooms, some with park views, and an ideal location.
- La’gent Hotel Osaka Bay – An excellent funds choice. Rooms are small however clear and it’s nonetheless walkable to the park (though additional than those above).
For those who keep shut by, you would possibly contemplate buying a 1.5 day USJ ticket, which lets you enter the park from 3pm on the primary day and for a full day on the second.
Meals At Common Studios Japan
Bringing meals and drinks into the park is prohibited, nevertheless it’s unlikely they’ll verify your bag and it could be a good suggestion for vegetarians to deliver a number of rice balls as meat-free choices are restricted.
Queues for meals may also be lengthy, so I like to recommend consuming earlier than you enter the park if potential (there are many locations exterior the gate together with Starbucks). We waited 35 minutes for each Amity Ice Cream and dinner at Three Broomsticks.
We beloved these candy treats:
- Salted caramel banana popcorn from the POP-A-NANA stand in Minion Park. You possibly can even purchase a memento bucket.
- Cookie sandwiches from Despicable Me! The Cookie Kitchen. The chocolate orange one was particularly tasty.
- Chocolate muffins at Beverly Hills Boulangerie. There are heaps to select from, however the chocolate fondant with a scorching melting center was scrumptious.
- Butterbeer at Three Broomsticks. It’s obtained to be achieved! The chilly model is fizzier, however the heat one was higher on a cold day. You can in all probability share because it’s very candy. There are nice views of the fort from the terrace out the again.
Savoury vegetarian choices in USJ are far more restricted:
- Three Broomsticks – This informal restaurant has nice Harry Potter theming. The vegetable plate consists of salad, corn on the cob, potato wedges, and steamed greens. It’s plain however filling. It’s vegan in case you skip the butter. We additionally obtained macaroni and cheese from the children menu and shared each.
- Louis NY Pizza Parlour – This fast service restaurant has a Margherita pizza.
- Azzurra di Capri – A desk service restaurant with a vegetarian pizza. Go early to get a desk or ebook prematurely.
- Kinopio’s Cafe – A well-liked informal restaurant in Tremendous Nintendo World (count on an extended queue). The one veggie choices are the Piranha Plan Caprese (tomato and mozzarella salad) and the Fruit & Veggie Salad.
See our vegetarian Osaka guide for one of the best meat-free meals within the metropolis as there are tons of choices exterior the park.
On our method again to Shinsaibashi we stopped for vegan ramen at Matsuri which is close to Noda station the place we wanted to alter trains.
For those who plan to do any buying, deliver your passport as you possibly can then store tax-free in case you spend over 5000 yen.
There are various choices for souvenirs within the park. Our favourites have been in Harry Potter World and It’s So Fluffy which is filled with cute fluffy unicorns from Despicable Me.
Is Common Studios Japan Price it?
Common Studios Japan is crowded and costly (if you are going to buy an Categorical Cross), however we nonetheless suppose it’s nicely price visiting.
It’s a enjoyable day trip in Osaka with the magical Harry Potter World, immersive Tremendous Nintendo World, and a few significantly thrilling rollercoasters and distinctive 3D simulators.
It’s a highly regarded park, so do ensure you keep away from peak occasions, book tickets in advance, and both buy an Express Pass or put together to queue.
In case you are theme park nuts like us, you may additionally wish to learn our posts on our favorite Universal Studios Singapore rides, Universal Islands of Adventure rides, and Tokyo DisneySea rides.
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