Although there are several Universal Studios around the world, Universal Studios Japan (or simply USJ) remains one of the top attractions in Osaka. While this is good news for Universal Studios, this isn’t the case for the visitors. After all, a packed amusement park means longer queues at the popular rides. Thus, it is intuitive to get a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass to cut down the waiting time. However, depending on when you visit the amusement park and a few other factors, the express pass may or may not be necessary for you. Please read on before clicking the purchase button!
Table of Contents
- In Summary, Get a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass If You Fit Into the Below Categories
- Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Essential?
- The Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Isn't for You If:
- When Do Universal Studios Japan Express Passes Go on Sale?
- Purchasing Your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Through Klook
- How to Check a USJ Ride's Height Requirements and Additional Restrictions
- When Is the Best Time to Visit USJ (aka USJ 's Less Busy Period)?
- Which USJ Rides Should I Use an Express Pass?
- Different Types of Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
- Tips and What to Look Out for When Purchasing Your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
- The Best Way to Use Your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
- Do My Children Need a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass?
- Can I Share My Universal Studios Japan Express Pass With My Family and Friends?
- Can I Purchase a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass for My Family and Friends?
- Can I Enter Universal Studios Japan With Only a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass?
- How to Enjoy Universal Studios Japan Without an Express Pass
- Entering the Super Nintendo World Without a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
- The Tips and the Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting USJ
In Summary, Get a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass If You Fit Into the Below Categories
Buying a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass means buying time to enjoy more of what USJ offers. Moreover, your physical stamina won’t be wasted on queueing up, either!
- You plan to visit USJ with children above a certain height or anyone who cannot or does not want to queue up for an extended period of time.
- You want to visit the Super Nintendo World and as many other attractions as possible.
- You already know beforehand that the park will be busy on the day of your visit.
- You want to ride the popular rides as many times as possible.
- The cost of the express pass is not a concern for you.
- You want to get on many rides on the day, so the less waiting time, the better.
- You cannot enter USJ first thing in the morning and/or stay in the park until the end of the day.
According to surveys, no one regretted purchasing a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass. Almost everyone was happy with the purchase due to the express pass’s ability to reduce waiting time. After all, you will feel like you are a VIP when you walk past the queue and board the ride! On the other hand, many of those who thought they would enjoy USJ without an express pass actually regretted their decision in not purchasing!
Important: Height rules apply to the rides at USJ. In addition, the rides might not fit a plus-sized person either. Refer to HERE for more information.
Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Essential?
Whether you need a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass when visiting USJ or not depends on why or what you want to see in the theme park and when you visit USJ.
With the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass, you can board the rides in Super Nintendo World within minutes, even though the waiting time is normally 100 minutes. In addition, you don’t need to fight for an Area Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場整理券) to enter the Super Nintendo World if your express pass comes with an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場確約券).
Tip: Refer to HERE if you were not able to secure your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass.
The Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Isn’t for You If:
- Your height is below the rides’ height limit for the express pass you want to purchase.
- Additional restrictions may also apply to the rides you want to board. Please check carefully before purchasing an express pass.
- If you are a plus-sized person, you might not be able to board the rides that the express pass covers.
- You don’t want to spend extra at USJ.
- You can arrive at USJ before it opens to queue outside the gate so that you can be the first to enter the park.
- Universal Studios Japan usually opens 30 to 90 minutes before its official opening hours.
- You don’t mind queuing up for a long time.
- You can visit USJ on a weekday (Tuesday to Thursday) without special events or even on a rainy day.
- Riding the popular rides in USJ isn’t a must for you.
- You visit USJ mainly to enjoy the fun atmosphere, parades, taking photos, and shopping.

Tip: Refer to HERE for information about what time Universal Studios Japan opens. The theme park usually opens 30 to 90 minutes before its official opening hours.
When Do Universal Studios Japan Express Passes Go on Sale?
In general, the Universal Studios Japan Express Passes can be purchased two months beforehand.
However, the release dates are sometimes delayed. Don’t panic if you see no stock available yet. Check back in a couple of days or on the 1st of the following month.
Purchasing Your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Through Klook
Besides the Official Website, you can also purchase your Universal Studio Pass and Universal Studios Japan Express Pass through klook.
The benefit? You can earn KlookCash, which you can redeem to reduce the amount due for your next purchase on klook. It is a great way to save money!
You can purchase multiple passes with one account. At the ticket gate, simply show your purchased voucher to enter the theme park. The same applies to the express passes purchased through klook. Show the express pass voucher and Timed Entry Ticket on your klook app to the staff.


To get extra Timed Entry Tickets on the day, either scan the QR code into the USJ Official App or add your name by tapping the Register Park Passes icon on the app’s My Universal screen.
How to Check a USJ Ride’s Height Requirements and Additional Restrictions
To check a USJ rides’ height requirements and additional boarding restrictions, tap the attraction you want to visit on the official app. The information is shown directly underneath the attraction’s name. Ensure you are taller than the requirement before purchasing a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass.

In addition to the height requirements, other restrictions may also apply to ensure your safety. This information can be obtained by tapping the right arrow symbol. Reading through the Attraction Requirements is especially important if you are an expected mother or have other health conditions.

When Is the Best Time to Visit USJ (aka USJ ‘s Less Busy Period)?
According to the historical average, Universal Studios Japan usually has the least visitors from late January to February and June because winter is too cold, and June is rainy season.
Before all the international tourists flooded over to Japan, USJ was already a popular attraction in Osaka. So you can imagine that the theme park will be extra busy on weekends and when the Japanese are on holiday. Avoid the below periods of the year for a more pleasant experience at Universal Studios Japan:
- The weekends, especially long weekends
- The Christmas and year-end period from December to the beginning of January
- Golden week from the end of April to the beginning of May
- Japan’s spring and summer break
- The spring break (especially late March) is the busiest or the second busiest period of the year at USJ.
- Because of the heat, summer break (especially from Friday to Monday) is less busy than spring break.
- Obun festival period around mid-August
- The Halloween festival period between early September and the beginning of November
- Universal Studios Japan is especially packed in October.
Important: Visiting Universal Studios Japan during the time we mentioned above without an express pass can mean spending half the time in the park queueing up! Please secure your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass as early as possible, as the passes are likely to be sold out.
Tip: If the park has extended opening hours on a particular day, it usually means it is packed. The cost of the express pass is also a good indicator of how packed USJ will be.
How to Check How Busy a USJ Attraction Is?
The waiting time for a particular attraction or show is updated on the USJ official app. You can check the waiting time even if you are overseas. You can browse the waiting times of the attractions you are interested in and note their waiting time in advance. Sort the attractions by Wait Time and scroll down for the ones that have the longest waiting time.


Tips:
☛ Tap the heart shape for the attractions you want to visit. Then go to My Universal -> Favorites to easily check the rides’ waiting times.
☛ Check the waiting time of the attractions on the same day a week beforehand, as it gives a good indicator of the average waiting time on the day of your visit. For example, the waiting time for the attractions might be shorter at night.
Which USJ Rides Should I Use an Express Pass?
The answer is simple: Use your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass on the rides you look forward to the most.
Here is a list of USJ rides that usually have a long queue. On a busy day, the waiting time for these rides can easily be over 100 minutes. They are listed in the order of popularity. Please note the boarding condition before purchasing your express pass.
- XR Rides (XR ライド)
- Please confirm the information on the official website.
- Mario Kart (マリオカート)
- 122cm or taller to ride alone
- 107cm or taller when accompanied by a guardian
- Yoshi’s Adventure (ヨッシー・アドベンチャー)
- 122cm or taller to ride alone
- 92cm or taller when children are accompanied by a guardian
- Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop (ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライド ~バックドロップ~)
- 132cm or taller to ride alone and when children are accompanied by a guardian
- Flight of the Hippogriff (フライト・オブ・ザ・ヒッポグリフ)
- 122cm to 195cm to ride alone
- 92cm or taller when children are accompanied by a guardian
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (ハリー・ポッター・アンド・ザ・フォービドゥン・ジャーニー)
- 122cm or taller to ride alone and when children are accompanied by a guardian
- Hollywood Dream – The Ride (ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライド)
- 132cm or taller to ride alone and when children are accompanied by a guardian
- The Flying Dinosaur (ザ・フライング・ダイナソー)
- 132cm to 198cm to ride alone and when children are accompanied by a guardian
- Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (ミニオン・ハチャメチャ・ライド):
- 122cm or taller to ride alone
- 102cm or taller when children are accompanied by a guardian
Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass a Must for the Super Nintendo World?
The Super Nintendo World is the most popular area in Universal Studios Japan. It is packed even on weekdays, with an average waiting time of 70 to 100 minutes. If you arrive at the theme park late, all the Area Timed Entry Tickets (エリア入場整理券) will run out. This means that you might not be able to enter the Super Nintendo World without an express pass that allows you to enter the area.
If you have a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass that covers Super Nintendo World, there is no need to fight for the Area Timed Entry Ticket. You can enter the area during the designated time with your express pass. So, grab the pass to guarantee your entry to the Super Nintendo World!
For more information about the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, you can refer to our article on The Tips on How to Enjoy the Super Nintendo World in USJ.
Different Types of Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
There are a couple of Universal Studios Japan Express Passes you can purchase:
- Universal Express Pass 7:Variety from 17,800 yen
- Universal Express Pass 4 from 9,800 eyn
- Other seasonal Universal Express Pass
The price of the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass depends on the number of rides you can skip the queue for. It also depends on how many attractions you can get to that requires a designated time slot to visit (Time-designated attractions).
Moreover, the express pass will cost more during busy periods but cheaper during off-peak times.
Important: The time slot for entering an area and/or riding an attraction is printed on your ticket, if any. Please keep an eye on the time and plan your day accordingly so that your express pass won’t be wasted.
Tips:
☛ Purchase your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass early so that the time slot for the Time-designated attractions you want to choose is available.
☛ Universal Studios Japan Express Pass can be purchased up to one month in advance.
Tips and What to Look Out for When Purchasing Your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
The decision-making doesn’t stop after you decide which Universal Studios Japan Express Pass to get. The next thing you need to decide is which session to choose for the Time-designated areas/rides. We recommend taking the below factors into account when choosing the session for your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass:
- How long do you want to stay in Super Nintendo World?
- Because of the crowd level in the area, we usually allocate 3 hours.
- When do you want to have lunch/dinner?
- Depending on when Universal Studios Japan closes, dinner can be delayed until after you leave the park.
- Are there any other attractions you want to visit during the gaps between the Time-designated areas/rides?
- Do you want to visit Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at night or during the day? The atmosphere of these two areas is completely different before and after sunset.

Tip: It is best to visit the Super Nintendo World first thing in the morning. While the admission time is set based on your ticket, you can stay as long as you want. This means that the queues are the shortest in the morning, and you can ride two or even three times the popular rides during your stay!
The Best Way to Use Your Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

Even if you have a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass, it only gives you one quick access to the eligible rides. So, if you want to ride the popular attractions more than once, here are some tips:
- Decide which attractions to use in advance and plan your day accordingly. If there are particular shows and parades you want to see, remember to include them in your plan.
- We recommend using it in the afternoon when waiting times tend to be long. Universal Studios Japan is relatively empty in the morning and evening.
Important: For the time-designated attractions printed on your ticket, keep an eye on the time and plan your day accordingly so that your express pass won’t be wasted.
Do My Children Need a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass?
Children from four years of age will need a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass. However, please be aware that height and age restrictions may apply at most of the attractions in Universal Studios Japan.
Can I Share My Universal Studios Japan Express Pass With My Family and Friends?
No, each person will need to have their own Universal Studios Japan Express Pass.
Can I Purchase a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass for My Family and Friends?
Yes, you can purchase a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass for those who will be visiting the theme park with you. That way, the same time slot can be allocated to the entire group for your Timed Entry Ticket.
Can I Enter Universal Studios Japan With Only a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass?
No, you need a One-day Studio Pass (or multiple days pass) to enter Universal Studios Japan. The express pass must be purchased in addition to the entry ticket.
How to Enjoy Universal Studios Japan Without an Express Pass
- The queue at the popular rides at Universal Studios Japan may be shorter during the below part of the day:
- Up to an hour after USJ is opened
- Lunch hours
- Parade time
- Shortly before USJ is closed
- But note that there is a risk of not being able to queue up as the staff will take into the park’s closing time into consideration when admitting newcomers.
- Thriller rides are not the most important or only fun thing that Universal Studios Japan can offer. Instead of queueing to ride the attractions, you can secure your spot early and enjoy the shows, parades, and meeting the characters’ events!
Entering the Super Nintendo World Without a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
If you want to save money, you can still enter the Super Nintendo World without an express pass. The area’s Area Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場整理券) can be obtained on the day through the USJ official app or at a ticket kiosk in USJ. But as the number of Timed Entry Tickets is limited, ensure that you arrive at USJ early to obtain the ticket.
On a busy day, the Area Timed Entry Ticket can run out within an hour of USJ opening!
One thing to note is that the allocated time slot of the Area Timed Entry Ticket might be in the late afternoon or at night if you choose to get the Timed Entry Ticket on the day. If you prefer to visit the Super Nintendo World earlier, purchasing a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass with an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場確約券) is highly recommended.
Important: There is a high chance that you won’t be able to board a ride if the time on your Timed Entry Ticket is close to USJ’s closing time. For example, if the park closes at 7 pm and there is a two-hour wait for the attraction you want to ride, the admission will close at 5 pm. The staff won’t let you in even if you have a Timed Entry Ticket after 5 pm.
The Tips and the Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting USJ
You might have realized already that Universal Studios Japan (or USJ) in Osaka shouldn’t be treated as just another theme park where you can board the rides whenever you want as long as you pay for admission. The theme park is so popular that there can be more than one part of the park where you won’t be able to enter without an Area Timed Entry Ticket. On a busy day, the waiting time to board the popular rides can easily exceed 60 minutes!
Refer to our article on The Tips and the Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting USJ to plan your visit!