Don’t treat Universal Studios Japan (or USJ) in Osaka as just another theme park where you can board the rides as long as you pay for admission. The theme park is so popular that there can be more than one part of the park you won’t be able to enter without an Area Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場整理券). On a busy day, the waiting time to board the popular rides can easily exceed 60 minutes. So, if you want to enjoy USJ fully, the below are what you need to know before visiting the theme park.
Table of Contents
- What Time Does Universal Studios Japan Open, and When Should I Arrive?
- How to Get Into Universal Studios Japan Quickly
- Ensure You Have an Area Timed Entry Ticket If It Is Required for the Area You Want to Visit
- How to Obtain Your Timed Entry eTicket Using Universal Studios Japan Official App
- Find Out Whether a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Will Be Worth It for You
- What If Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Are Sold Out
- The Tips on How to Enjoy the Super Nintendo World in USJ
- Parking at Universal Studios Japan
- What If It Rains on the Day I Visit Universal Studios Japan
- The Least Busy Time at Universal Studios Japan
- The Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Universal Studios Japan
What Time Does Universal Studios Japan Open, and When Should I Arrive?
The question may sound stupid as the information is widely available on Google and USJ’s website. However, it is a valid question when it comes to Universal Studios Japan because the theme park usually opens 30 to 90 minutes earlier than its official opening hours.
If you don’t plan to purchase a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass but want to enter the Super Nintendo World, entering USJ at the same time the park opens is almost a must on a busy day.
So, if you plan to arrive at Universal Studios Japan early, refer to our What Time Does Universal Studios Japan Open? article for more information to plan your day.
How to Get Into Universal Studios Japan Quickly
To get into Universal Studios Japan as quickly as possible, purchase your USJ admission ticket (Studio Pass) in advance to save time queuing for tickets. The official website and Klook will issue a QR code you can scan for entry.
Tip: Take a screenshot of your Studio Pass QR code so you can show it to the staff at the ticket gate without needing to log back in. The same applies to the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass if you have one.
It is recommended that you purchase your USJ Studio Pass at least two days in advance, especially if you plan to visit the park in March, May, October, and December. There were times when the Studio Pass has been sold out the night before. So, we recommend purchasing your Studio Pass once you know the date you want to visit USJ!
Baggage Inspections at Universal Studios Japan
All USJ guests must undergo a baggage inspection to ensure everyone’s safety. So, once you are close to the baggage checkpoint, take your bag off your shoulder and be ready for bag check. Arrange the items in your bag in a way that is the easiest for the staff to check to save you time.
The staff will also check your handbag and pram. In fact, the pram takes the longest to check because it has so many pockets!
Important: Ensure none of the prohibited items are in your bag. For more information, refer to the Official Website.
Ensure You Have an Area Timed Entry Ticket If It Is Required for the Area You Want to Visit
Currently, an Area Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場整理券) or an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場確約券) is required to enter the Super Nintendo World in USJ. Apart from the Super Nintendo World, an Area Timed Entry Ticket might also be required if the staff determines the area will be too crowded for the guests to enjoy. So, as you queue for entry, we recommend checking the official app to see if other areas also need an Area Timed Entry Ticket.
If an area is determined to be too crowded, Timed Entry Tickets will be handed out. You can also obtain the ticket via the official app. The number of Timed Entry Tickets is limited. Once they are all gone, the next type of entry ticket you can get is a lottery entry ticket (抽選券), which you can only use if you win (USJ calls it a Standby Entry Ticket).
The earlier you obtain the Timed Entry Ticket, the more time slots you can choose. Once you are aware that a Time Entry Ticket is required for an area you want to enter, get your Timed Entry Ticket as soon as possible.
Important: The time printed on the Timed Entry Ticket is the time slot you can enter the area. You can stay as long as you want, but you can’t enter again once you leave.
Tips:
☛ Even children who don’t need a Studio Pass to enter USJ (less than three years old) can get an Area Timed Entry Ticket.
☛ If you want to enter the same area more than once, get a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass that comes with an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket. On the day, arrive at USJ early for an additional Area Timed Entry Ticket.
How to Obtain Your Timed Entry eTicket Using Universal Studios Japan Official App
The most convenient method of getting an Area Timed Entry Ticket is through USJ’s app because you don’t need to travel to the distribution points in USJ. To get an Area Timed Entry Ticket, you will first need to register your Studio (Park) Pass by scanning the QR code on your pass or uploading a photo of your pass.
This is done by tapping “Timed Entry eTickets” and choosing “Register Park Passes.” Once your Studio Pass is registered, you can acquire Timed Entry Ticket/Standby Entry Tickets under the Timed Entry eTicket section of your app. Any acquired tickets will also be shown here.
Tip: Only one person in your group needs to download the official USJ apps to get Timed Entry eTickets.
Find Out Whether a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Will Be Worth It for You
Getting a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass is intuitive because it cuts 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.
So, refer to our Decoding the Necessity of the Express Pass at USJ article before clicking the purchase button!
Tip: If your child is three or younger, they don’t need a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass as long as you have one.
What If Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Are Sold Out
Because most people are aware of how packed Universal Studios Japan (USJ) can be, the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass is almost a must-buy despite its price tag. So, on a busy day, the express passes are usually sold out soon after they are released. If there is no express pass left on the day you want to visit USJ when you check it, you might still be able to secure a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass before you visit the theme park.
Refer to HERE for more information!
The Tips on How to Enjoy the Super Nintendo World in USJ
The Super Nintendo World is the most packed area in Universal Studios Japan. So, advance planning is recommended so your time and physical stamina won’t be wasted. Because either an Area Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場整理券) or an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場確約券) is required to enter the area, ensure you purchase a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass that comes with an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket or arrive USJ early (best to be before the park opens) to secure your Area Timed Entry Ticket.
Refer to our Super Nintendo World in USJ article for more information to plan your visit!
Parking at Universal Studios Japan
The best way to get to Universal Studios Japan is by public transportation. But if you plan to get to the park by car, USJ has its car park with a capacity of 2,800 vehicles for its visitors.
While that might sound like a huge capacity, the car park is usually full by 11 am on a busy day. Temporary parking lots are usually available, but when they are also fully parked, numbered tickets are issued.
What If It Rains on the Day I Visit Universal Studios Japan
Unfortunately, you won’t get a full or partial refund on the park’s admission ticket (Studio Pass) or Universal Studios Japan Express Pass if it rains on the day. Don’t think you are doomed. Think on the positive side. USJ will be less packed on a rainy day, as no one wants to get wet. So, it means shorter waiting time to board the rides you want and fewer strangers in the background in your photos.
If you have purchased a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass and the attractions covered by your pass are closed for the day, talk to the staff. They will offer alternatives to compensate.
The outdoor rides won’t be closed if it is only light rain. People would get on the rides with raincoats or ponchos. But note the attractions can be closed at any moment if the weather worsens.
The jet coaster rides, The Flying Dinosaur (ザ・フライング・ダイナソー), 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～), and Hollywood Dream – The Ride (ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライド), are the ones that would be affected by the weather the most. They are usually closed when the wind is strong, in addition to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Indoor rides might also be closed during thunderstorms because a power outage might occur if the thunder hits power supply facilities.
Tips:
☛ While shows and parades might be canceled due to bad weather, rainy-day greetings might be on. So, check with the staff if you are interested in that.
☛ The indoor attractions might also be affected during thunderstorms. So, plan your day and head to the rides you want to visit the most first if a thunderstorm is predicted for the day you visit USJ.
The Recommended Items to Bring to USJ on a Rainy Day
- Folding umbrella
- Raincoat or poncho
- Towels
- Plastic bags
- Socks and/or shoe covers
- a Light jacket or cardigan to keep you warm
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The Least Busy Time at Universal Studios Japan
On average, Universal Studios Japan is less packed during the below part of the year. These are the best times of the year to visit the theme park because of the shorter waiting time. The price of the Studio Pass and Universal Studios Japan Express Pass is also cheaper!
Note that if special events are on during the below listed periods, USJ will be busy.
- Late January to mid-February
- Because it is cold.
- Early to late April (before the Golden Week)
- USJ is less busy when all the students return to school.
- After the Golden Week in May
- The weekdays after the Golden Week usually have the least park visitors.
- June to mid-July
- Because it is the rainy season, and it is shortly before Japan’s summer school break. But you may run into students on school trips.
Tips:
☛ The best weekdays to visit Universal Studios Japan are from Tuesday to Thursday. But, the Tuesday might be busy if Monday is a public holiday.
☛ Monday can be as busy as the weekend if it is a substitute holiday.
The Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan only allows guests to bring food into the park if they have a food allergy, and the park doesn’t have a readily available menu that can cater to their diet. So, you might be worried about what you can eat in USJ if you are a vegan or vegetarian. Fortunately, a couple of restaurants/cafes in USJ offer plant-based meals besides salad. There is even a Japanese option!
- New York Area
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Jurassic Park
Note that the restaurants we have above are as of the time of writing this article. It is best to confirm your options again using the Official Website before your visit.
