Universal Studios Japan Tickets Explained: The Complete 2026 Guide
Planning a family trip to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka? The first thing you’re going to need is Universal Studios Japan tickets! This guide breaks down every ticket option, Express Pass choice, Super Nintendo World access rules, and insider tip you need to make the most of your day.
We love Japan and we love Universal Studios Japan. But our first visit to this epic Asian theme park definitely wasn’t easy. From finding the right tickets, deciding whether or not to spend the hefty extra charge for Express Passes, and working out whether it was the right park for both of our young boys, I’ve spent hours researching USJ.
We’re now planning yet another trip to Universal Studios Japan, which means I’ve got to buy those Univeral Studios Japan tickets again. And that’s what inspired this piece! This is the guide I wish I had when planning our first trip to USJ.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
Universal Studios Japan Tickets Options (Quick Overview)
I’m going to start with helping you choose the best Universal Studios Japan ticket for you and for your family. Are you on a budget? You can visit the park in just one day. Want a experience absolutely everything USJ has to offer? Consider a 2 day ticket AND Express Passes to give fast access to all the most popular rides.
People usually ask what we do, so I’m going to share that too: We spend two days in the park: the first day we have an Express Pass and the second day we don’t. The Express Pass is great for rushing round and getting on all the epic rides. The second day without it is for soaking up the atmosphere (and finishing of the rides you didn’t have time to do on day one).
Below is a simple comparison table showing each ticket type and who it’s best for.
USJ Tickets at a Glance (2025)
| Ticket Type | Includes | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Studio Pass | Standard entry | A fun day out, the best budget option | Sells out during peak seasons |
| 1.5-Day Pass | Afternoon entry on Day 1 and full Day 2 | Families wanting a relaxed visit | Good for avoiding queues |
| 2-Day Pass | Two full days | Big fans and families with small kids who need more time to explore | Lots to see — very popular |
| Express Passes | Skip-the-line for specific rides | Anyone visiting in peak season keen to avoid long queues | Prices vary by date & demand |
| Super Nintendo World Area Entry | Timed entry ticket (included with park entry passes) | Mario fans: Get these as soon as you enter the park | Included in many Express Passes |
Best price & easiest booking: We recommend booking with Klook here.
Klook is almost always cheaper and gives instant confirmation.
🎁 Use my code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get an extra discount
Should You Buy USJ Tickets Before You Go? (Spoiler Alert: Yes You Should!)
Universal Studios Japan tickets are (based on my experience) THE most popular theme park tickets in Japan: and they sell out much more often than Tokyo Disneyland tickets. This is particularly true of the Express Pass tickets, which can even sell out on the day their released for peak periods such as the spring Cherry Blossom season, Christmas and New Year, public holidays and school holidays.
It’s also worth noting that you CAN’T buy tickets on the day at Universal Studios Japan any more. There used to be ticket booths at the front of the entrance to the park selling tickets, but while these booths are still here, they’re no longer open and handling ticket sales.
Universal Studios Japan tickets can be booked up to 2 months in advance. The tickets go on sale 60 days in advance at Midnight in Japan (which is GMT+8). Sort your tickets as soon as you decide you want to visit USJ and benefit from:
Guaranteed entry No waiting at the gate English confirmation Rasy mobile tickets
Book Universal Studios Japan tickets in advance here
🎫 Wondering if you’ll need an Express Pass? Don’t want to stretch your budget? I’ve written a full post full of tips on visiting Universal Studios Japan Without an Express Pass here.
USJ Express Passes Explained (This Is Where Most People Get Confused)
We’ve visited Universal Studios Japan with Express Passes, and we’ve visited without them. In fact, we booked a two day trip (one day with Express Passes and the next day without) to see what difference having these pricey passes would make.
So what, exactly, is a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass? The Express Passes are add-ons that let you enter certain rides with a much shorter queue (just like the fast passes in Disney parks, if you’re familiar with those). You buy an Express Pass for a certain number of rides: the rides are determined in advance, and only a certain number of Express Passes are available on each day.
To make them even more pricey, it’s worth noting that Express Passes do NOT include park entry. You’ll need to buy a park ticket plus an Express Pass.
So let’s break down the different types of Express Passes and how much they’re going to cost you:
Express Pass 4
There are lots of different versions of the Expess Pass 4. But the main thing to know is that this includes fast entry for four attractions, such as:
- Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- The Flying Dinosaur
These are the cheapest of the available Express Passes with prices starting from £74.95pp for a pass that includes a Nintendo World ride or £54.95pp for one that doesn’t.
Express Pass 7
As the name suggests, this pass includes seven attractions and is the best experience for a first-time visit. This is the pass we got on our last visit and is the one we’re getting next time too. Again, there are different versions of this pass, but you can find passes to include:
- Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
- Yoshi’s Adventure
- Harry Potter
- Jurassic Park
- JAWS
Prices start from £120.99 per person.
Why Express Passes Matter
On our last trip to USJ, we visited at the beginning of April. That’s about one of the busiest times you can visit, after Golden Week and Christmas. And boy did we notice! The park was very busy. We had an amazing time (so much so that the boys are begging to go back and we’e booked our next trip!) but it’s important to be prepared for the queue times during these busy periods. During peak season, waits can reach:
- Mario Kart → 120–180 minutes
- Harry Potter → 90 minutes
- Minions → 80 minutes
Families with young kids (including my own!) can struggle with these queues, and if you think they might not work for your family then that’s when it’s time to think about whether you spring for an Express Pass.
Check Express Pass availability
What Time Should You Arrive At Universal Studios Japan?
The opening times for Universal Studios Japan vary depending on when you visit. These can be between 8.00am and 9.30am, but 9.00am is the most common opening time (check the USJ opening hours here).
Once you know the USJ opening hours, I recommend that you take these with a pinch of salt and arrive much earlier. Why? Because USJ often opens 30–60 minutes earlier than advertised. This isn’t guaranteed, but when the park is very busy they will open the park early to release the pressure of the crowds gathering outside the park gates. When we visited in April, we arrivd 45 minutes before the park officially opened, and the gates had already been opened so that we could walk straight in!
If you choose not to buy an Express Pass then arriving this early is the very best way to guarentee that you’ll get entry into Super Nintendo World. You can’t request an entrance ticket until you’re in the park.
👉 Check out my step-by-step guide to getting to Universal Studios Japan, so you can work out how long your journey is going to take!
Universal Studios Japan Tickets FAQs
Do USJ tickets sell out?
The short answer to this question is yet, especially if you’re planning to visit on weekends and holidays. And because their are fewer Express Passes available each day, these can sell out even faster. If you’re visiting during an off peak period then you’ll find that tickets are available for longer, often right up to the last minute. But my advice would be not to take the risk. Book early.
Do I Need An Express Pass For Universal Studios Japan?
Express Passes for USJ are definitely not mandatory and i’m going to be honest, they can be very expensive. So if you’re travelling with younger kids who won’t want to go on the bigger thrill rides, or you’re on a very tight budget, save your money. But I do highly recommend getting an Express Pass if it’s in your budget and you want to ride as many of the best, stand-out rides in the park in one day.
Do I Need A Separate Ticket For Super Nintendo World?
Access to Super Nintendo World is included as part of your standard entry ticket because it is a part of the USJ pack. You won’t need to buy a separate ticket for it: but there is a caveat to this. Because Super Nintendo World is so popular, you almost always need a timed access ticket (a time slot pass) to enter this part of the park. This is free, but to get one you’ll need to apply for one on the USJ app when you’re in the park on the day. They can go fast on really busy days.
The only way to guarantee access to Super Nintendo World is to buy an Express Pass, as a time slot to Nintendo World is one of the perks of these extra charge tickets.
Can Toddlers Go On Rides in USJ?
Yes! Not quite as many rides as they can go on in Tokyo Disneyland, but the Universal Wonderland area of the park, as well as Minions Mayhem and Yoshi’s Adventure, are great for small kids.
👉 I’ve written an Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios Japan With Kids that you can check out here.
👉 You can also read and download the height requirements for all of the USJ rides in my article and free printable here.
Best Place to Buy Tickets
Ready to add Universal Studios Japan to your Osaka trip? I really don’t think you’ll regret it! Visiting was a highlight of our last Osaka trip for my boys, and we’re already planning to go again when we return to Japan in March. For the best prices, instant confirmation, and easy mobile entry:
Check Express Pass availability
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
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