Is  The Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It? My Honest Review 2026

I spent an entire day at Universal Studios Japan, from right after opening until the evening, and I’ll say this upfront: the park is fun, but it’s also pretty intense. It gets busy very quickly, the crowds build fast, and the wait times for rides can get long surprisingly early in the day.

I did have an Express Pass, and I’m glad I did, because without it I would’ve spent a huge chunk of the day standing in lines. That said, the Express Pass system at USJ is confusing enough that I still managed to mess it up, even though I thought I’d done my research beforehand.

There isn’t just one Express Pass. There are several different versions at very different price points, and each one includes a different mix of rides. Some cover the major attractions, some don’t, and I didn’t fully realize how important that was until I was already there.

For me, the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass made the day smoother and a lot less frustrating, but it didn’t magically remove all waiting or planning. I still had to be strategic, and I still had to get there early to really make the most of it.

Universal Studios Japan Express Pass – My Experience

In my case, I did buy an Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan, but I’ll be honest, I managed to pick one of the least useful options. Not because the Express Pass itself is bad, but because I didn’t fully understand the differences between them when I booked.

There are several Express Pass versions, and each one includes a different combination of rides and timed entry slots for Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. What I didn’t pay enough attention to was which rides were actually included and when those timed entries were scheduled.

The pass I bought didn’t include Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness, which was a big miss. On top of that, my timed entry slots for Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter World were scheduled for around 8 p.m., by which point I had already been to both areas earlier in the day by waiting in line. So those timed entries ended up being pretty useless for me.

So when I say my Express Pass didn’t help as much as I’d hoped, that’s entirely on me. I bought the wrong one. If you choose the right Express Pass for the rides you actually care about, it can save you a huge amount of time and make the day a lot smoother. Just make sure you double-check exactly what’s included before you book!

How to Get An Express Pass for USJ

There are basically two ways to buy tickets and an Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan: either directly through the official USJ website or through Klook. 

I ended up booking mine on Klook because the Express Pass I wanted was already sold out on the official site at the time.

If you haven’t heard of Klook before, that’s totally normal if you haven’t traveled much in Asia. I hadn’t either before this trip. 

It’s essentially the Asian equivalent of GetYourGuide or Viator, and it’s what I now use for most tours and tickets when I’m in this part of the world. I’ve booked through them plenty of times since, and I’ve never had any issues.

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Tickets

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

What Express Pass Should You Buy for Universal Studios Japan?

This is the part I got wrong on my own visit, so it’s worth paying attention to. There are several different Express Pass options, usually ranging from Express Pass 4 to Express Pass 8. The number tells you how many attractions are included, but more importantly, which attractions they are.

Once you choose an Express Pass, you’ll also need to select timed entry slots for Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The timing matters more than I initially realized.

If I were booking again, I’d go straight for the USJ Express Pass 8: Minions & Mine Cart. It includes all the major rides like Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness, Jurassic Park: The Flying Dinosaur, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which are also the ones with the longest wait times.

For the timed entries, I’d aim for late morning, around 10 a.m. or so. Early in the morning, the park is still relatively calm, and you don’t want to “waste” an Express Pass slot when the lines are short anyway.

Book here: USJ Express Pass 8 (this is the one I recommend)

How Does the USJ Express Pass Work?

Once you’re inside the park, the Express Pass usually comes with two timed entry slots for the themed areas Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Those time slots are fixed, so you do need to plan your day around them. Outside of those windows, you generally won’t be able to enter those areas unless you manage to grab a free timed slot in the app.

During your assigned time, you can then use the Express Pass lines for the rides inside those worlds. That part works smoothly and definitely saves time.

For the rest of the rides, you can use your Express Pass whenever it suits you, but only once per attraction. They scan the pass directly in the app when you enter the Express line, so this is very much not an unlimited Fast Pass situation. As far as I know, Universal Studios Japan doesn’t offer unlimited Express Passes at all.

Most Express Pass packages also include a choice between rides like Jurassic Park: The Flying Dinosaur or Minion Mayhem, and Jaws or Jurassic Park: The Ride. From my experience, both Jurassic Park rides are miles better, and I’d pick those every single time without hesitation.

How Expensive Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass?

Prices vary a lot depending on the season. I visited during Halloween Horror Nights, so both my park ticket and Express Pass were on the higher end. That said, I paid roughly $150 USD for the Express Pass alone. Add the park ticket on top, and you’re easily looking at around $200 USD per person for the day, before food or souvenirs.

It’s a lot of money. I had an amazing time, no question about it, but this is not a cheap day out. Do I think it was worth it for me? Yes , because it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. But yes, at the same time I also think that it is very overpriced.

FAQs About Is the Universal Studios Express Pass Worth It?

Should I get an Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan?

I’d say yes, but only if you’re willing to go for the bigger one. From my own experience, the Express Pass 8 is really the only option that makes sense. If you’re not happy paying for that, I’d honestly skip the Express Pass altogether and rely on early entry and Single Rider lines instead.

Is Universal Studios Japan worth it?

For me, yes. I had a great day and loved both Harry Potter World and Super Nintendo World. I’m not a hardcore theme park person, so maybe my bar isn’t insanely high, but for a casual theme park visit, I think USJ is absolutely worth it.

What are the best Universal Studios Japan tips?

The two biggest ones from my experience: get there really early, and make sure you understand the Express Pass before buying it. The park often lets people in before the official opening time, and that first hour makes a huge difference.

Where is Universal Studios Japan located?

Universal Studios Japan is right by the waterfront in Osaka and very easy to reach from the city center. I took the metro straight to Universal City Station first thing in the morning, and it couldn’t have been simpler.

Verdict: Is the Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan Worth It?

Overall, I do think the Express Pass can be worth it, but only under the right conditions. The smaller Express Passes that skip major rides are not worth the money. The Express Pass 8 that includes all the big attractions is the one that actually changes your day.

That said, you can do Universal Studios Japan without an Express Pass if you’re strategic. Arrive early, take advantage of the quieter first hour, and use Single Rider lines as much as possible. It’s more of a gamble, though. If you don’t mind spending the extra money for a smoother, less stressful day, I’d go for the Express Pass and call it a win.

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