Is Universal Studios Japan Worth It? My Honest Review 2026

Universal Studios Japan is one of the biggest attractions not just in Osaka, but in all of Japan. If you’re planning a trip here, chances are it’s already on your list, and for good reason.

USJ is a genuinely impressive theme park for both kids and adults. The themed areas are just incredible, especially The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World, which were absolute highlights for me. The level of detail is stunning and makes it easy to forget you’re in the middle of a massive city.

I wouldn’t normally describe myself as a theme park person, and I’m definitely not a Disney adult. That said, whenever I do go to a theme park, I usually end up loving it, and Universal Studios Japan was no exception. I had a full, slightly exhausting, but very fun day here and would do it again.

I’ve had loads of people reach out with questions about USJ, so I figured I’d put everything into one place. In this article on ‘Is Universal Studios Japan Worth It’, I’ll cover what I liked about Universal Studios Japan, what I didn’t love quite as much, and share a few practical tips to help you decide if it’s worth visiting during your trip to Osaka.

Is Universal Studios Japan Worth It? My Quick Answer

Short answer: yes, 100% worth it.

I’ve been to a fair few theme parks around the world, but I’ve never been to Universal Studios Orlando. The American friends I visited with kept telling me Orlando is bigger and has more rides overall, which I’m sure is true. That said, if you’re not a hardcore theme park connoisseur, Universal Studios Japan is absolutely worth visiting.

I spent an entire day here, from around 8am until late at night. I visited during Halloween, so there was even more going on than usual, but still, this was my first time at a theme park with this level of theming and immersion. I was genuinely obsessed with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, especially how detailed it felt. And yes, I did drink butterbeer and loved it.

Super Nintendo World was also incredible and unlike anything I’d seen before, but my personal highlight was actually The Flying Dinosaur roller coaster in Jurassic Park. I’ll be honest, it was the craziest and scariest coaster I’ve ever been on, and it was just amazing!

Overall, Universal Studios Japan has a really great mix between rides for kids and more thrilling attractions for adults. Whether you’re going with family, friends, or on your own, it’s easy to have an amazing day here.

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Tickets

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

What I Loved About Universal Studios Japan (USJ)

1. Harry Potter World

I wouldn’t call myself a full-on Potterhead, but I grew up with the books and movies and have watched them more times than I can count. Naturally, I loved this area. The theming around Diagon Alley and Hogwarts is incredibly well done, and it genuinely feels immersive. The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride was a lot of fun and way more exciting than I thought it would be.

2. Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World was wildly impressive. Even just walking around felt like being inside a video game. Yes, it was insanely busy, but as someone who grew up playing Nintendo games, I couldn’t help but love it. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge was great, and the Donkey Kong Mine Cart ride was another highlight for me.

3. Halloween Horror Nights

I’m a huge Halloween fan, so this was a big win. After around 5pm, the entire park turns into a full-on horror experience. Zombies and killer clowns roaming the streets, haunted houses, and my personal favorite: Death Eaters wandering through Harry Potter World.

4. Jurassic Park – The Flying Dinosaur

Hands down my favorite roller coaster I’ve ever been on. The Flying Dinosaur in Jurassic Park is intense in every sense. You’re strapped in, lying on your stomach, face down, and it’s absolutely incredible.

5. The Japanese Touch

What I thought was really cool at Universal Studios Japan is the Japanese twist on everything. There’s a great mix of Japanese food throughout the park, and the staff are incredibly friendly and organized. That level of hospitality makes a long, busy day feel a lot more enjoyable.

What I Didn’t Like About Universal Studios Japan

• The price tag: I don’t go to theme parks often, so maybe this is normal, but the price still shocked me. Between the ticket, Express Pass, and food inside the park, I spent over $300 USD in one day. I was fine paying it because this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me, but wow. This is not a cheap day out. At all.
  
• The lines and crowds: The crowds were kind of insane. At one point, the Donkey Kong Mine Cart ride showed a 200-minute wait time, which is honestly just ridiculous. That basically ruled it out completely. Some other rides were more manageable, but standing in long lines was a big part of the day whether you liked it or not.
  
• The Express Pass (not a miracle): I had the Express Pass, and yes, it helped. But it’s not as amazing as it sounds. It only works for certain rides, and even then you usually skip part of the line, not all of it. You still end up waiting with everyone else at the end. For the price, I expected a bit more.

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Tickets

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

Tricks & Tips for Universal Studios Japan

Buy your ticket on Klook

Klook is basically the Asian version of GetYourGuide or Viator, and it’s huge over here, even if you haven’t used it before. I originally tried buying my tickets and Express Pass on the official USJ website, but everything I wanted was sold out. Klook still had plenty of availability, same prices.

Pick the right Express Pass (this actually matters)

I’ll be honest: not all Express Passes are worth it in my opinion. I had one, but I chose a cheaper option and in hindsight, I wouldn’t do that again. If you’re going to spend the money, the Express Pass 8 is the only one that really makes sense. That’s the one that covers the big-ticket rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic Park Flying Dinosaur, and Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness. Those are also the rides with the most brutal wait times, so anything smaller just feels a bit pointless.

Get there early. Really early.

I arrived at Universal Studios around 7:30 am, ticket ready, and it was a game changer. Official opening time everywhere online says 9 am, but in reality, they usually start letting people in around 8 am. That first hour makes a massive difference, especially if you want to do one or two major rides before the crowds fully hit.

I also put together a full, very detailed USJ guide on my blog because there’s honestly a lot to know. Between crowd strategy, ride timing, and Express Pass decisions, a little planning goes a long way here. Universal Studios Japan is amazing, but only if you don’t spend half the day standing in lines.

Where to Stay for Universal Studios Japan

One of the things I really like about Universal Studios Japan is how easy it is to reach. Osaka isn’t huge, and the park is basically right in the city, so I just took the metro there. Universal Studios even has its own station, which makes the whole thing refreshingly simple. No rental car, no parking stress, no long commute.

I personally stayed in Namba, right in central Osaka, and had no trouble getting to the park early in the morning. It’s a great base if you also want to explore the city in the evenings, grab food, or hop between neighborhoods.

That said, if your main goal is maximizing time inside the park, staying right next to Universal Studios Japan is hard to beat. There are a few really good hotels just steps from the entrance, which means you can literally leave your hotel, walk five minutes, and be among the first people in line.

Here are some of the best hotels if you want to stay close to Universal Studios Japan:

Book Here: Hotel Universal Port

Book Here: The Park Front Hotel USJ

Book Here: Liber Hotel Osaka

FAQs About Is Universal Studios Japan Worth Visiting?

Is Universal Studios Japan expensive?

Short answer: it depends when you go and how extra you want to be. I visited during Halloween Horror Nights week, which is peak season, and my ticket was definitely on the pricier side. A standard one-day ticket usually starts around $55 USD (check current prices), but the Express Pass is where things added up quickly. I paid more than $150 USD per Express Pass.

Where is Universal Studios Japan?

Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka Bay, very close to the city center. One of the best things about it is how easy it is to reach. The park has its own subway station, so I just hopped on public transport in the morning and arrived without any hassle. No taxis, no traffic drama, no complicated transfers.

Is Universal Studios Japan worth it for adults?

Honestly, yes. I went with a group of friends in our late twenties and early thirties, and we had an amazing time. I mean, who doesn’t love The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Super Nintendo World? It’s obviously a theme park, but it never felt overly childish to me. If you enjoy rides, immersive worlds, and a bit of nostalgia, you’ll fit right in.

How do you get Universal Studios Osaka tickets?

You can buy tickets directly on the official Universal Studios Japan website, but I personally booked mine through Klook. It’s basically the Asian equivalent of Viator or GetYourGuide and is widely used for attractions and activities across Japan.

Final thoughts: Is Universal Studios Japan worth visiting?

For me, absolutely, but with a few caveats. I had great weather, arrived early to beat the crowds, and splurged on an Express Pass, which made a huge difference. All of that combined made the day feel smooth and genuinely fun rather than exhausting.

If you follow my tips, plan ahead a little, and set your expectations right, I’m pretty confident you’ll have a great time at Universal Studios Japan too.

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Is Universal Studios Japan Worth it? My Honest Review

My Top Universal Studios Japan Tips: Everything You Need to Know

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