My TOP 9 Universal Studios Japan Tips You Have to Know in 2026

One of the highlights of my entire Japan trip, and I was there for a full month, was my day at Universal Studios Japan. I didn’t expect to love it quite this much, which probably helped. I’m not a big theme park person, but when I go to one, I usually love it.

That said, I had a genuinely great time. The themed areas are excellent, with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World easily being my favorites. What surprised me most was how well the park works for adults. Yes, it’s very family-friendly, but there’s also plenty here if you’re more interested in rides, design, and reliving a bit of childhood nostalgia without committing fully to a Mario cap.

I spent a full day at Universal Studios Japan, from opening time until early evening, and that experience taught me a few things very quickly. There are some decisions I’m really glad I made, and a couple I wish I’d known about beforehand because they would have made the day smoother and far less tiring. 

That’s exactly why I put together these top 9 Universal Studios Japan tips. Everything here is based on what worked well for me and what I’d absolutely do again. If you’re going, this should save you some time, energy, and unnecessary queue-induced frustration.

Universal Studios Japan Tips – My Own Experience

As I mentioned earlier, I’m not usually a big theme park person, which is exactly why I didn’t go in with a super detailed plan. The one thing I did know was that arriving early was non-negotiable. I’d heard they sometimes let people in up to an hour before the official opening time, and on my visit, that was absolutely true. Getting in early made a huge difference to how the day played out.

I headed straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which at the time didn’t require a timed entry. That meant I could just walk in, no virtual queues, no countdown clock. It was calm, sunny, and surprisingly peaceful for a theme park. I rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, wandered around without being shoulder-to-shoulder with people, and had a Butterbeer mid-morning.

It took me a little while to realize why Harry Potter felt so quiet. Everyone else had rushed straight to Super Nintendo World. By the time I made my way over there, the wait times for the big rides were already getting a bit ridiculous. Lesson learned. That said, because I had an Express Pass, I could still do most of the rides I wanted without spending half my day in line, which honestly saved the experience for me.

All in all, between lining up, exploring the themed areas, riding attractions, and stopping for lunch and dinner, I spent pretty much the entire day at Universal Studios Japan, roughly from 7:30 am to around 7:00 pm. It sounds intense, and yes, I was absolutely exhausted by the end, but it was also one of those long days that feels completely worth it once you’re back on the train home.

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Tickets

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

1. Arrive Early. Really Early.

I’d heard that Universal Studios Japan sometimes lets people in earlier than the official opening time, which is exactly why I got there very early. I visited around Halloween in early November, and at that time the official opening was 9:00 am. I arrived at about 7:30 am, and while there were already people waiting, it wasn’t chaotic yet.

After lining up for a bit, they actually started letting people in at 8:00 am (check current times). That extra hour was gold. I got to enjoy the park with noticeably smaller crowds and knock out a few rides before wait times really took off. If there’s one thing I’d do exactly the same again, it’s this. Just make sure you double-check the official opening times before your visit, as they do change throughout the year.

2. Download the Universal Studios Japan App

The Universal Studios Japan app was far more useful than I expected. I downloaded it the night before so I didn’t have to rely on spotty park Wi-Fi in the morning, then linked my ticket once I arrived. 

The app lets you register for timed entry slots for certain themed areas and shows real-time wait times for rides, which makes planning while you are in the park much easier. I checked it constantly throughout the day to decide where to go next, and just as importantly, where not to go. It won’t magically eliminate queues, but it definitely helps you make smarter decisions.

3. Register for a FREE Theme Park Time Slot

Before going to Universal Studios Japan, I honestly didn’t even know this was a thing. You can’t always just walk into Super Nintendo World or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Unless you have an Express Pass, you’ll usually need to register for a free timed entry slot through the app.

As soon as I entered the park, I opened the app and registered for the earliest available time slot for Super Nintendo World while I was already walking inside. Even then, my slot wasn’t until later in the morning. I ended up heading straight to Harry Potter World instead, which at that time didn’t require timed entry yet because it was still quiet.

From my experience, getting into Super Nintendo World as early as possible makes a huge difference. The later it gets, the busier it gets, and the wait times only go in one direction.

4. Get the Right Express Pass

I’ll be honest, I was definitely a little confused by the Express Pass options at Universal Studios Japan at first. There are several different versions (usually Express Pass 4 up to Express Pass 8), and each one includes a different mix of rides, which isn’t immediately obvious when you’re booking.

If I were doing it again, I’d go for an Express Pass 8, ideally one that includes the big rides like Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Jurassic Park: The Flying Dinosaur. These were definitely my favorite, and they also had the longest lines by far when I visited.

I didn’t get this quite right on my own visit and picked an Express Pass that skipped a couple of those major rides, which was frustrating once I realized. I still managed to get on those rides, I just had to wait in line. Learn from my mistake here and double-check exactly which attractions are included before you book. It makes a much bigger difference than you’d think.

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Tickets

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

5. Go to Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness ASAP

I’ll be upfront here: I actually didn’t manage to ride Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness, and that definitely my own fault.. I messed up my Express Pass and bought one that didn’t include it. By the time I got to Super Nintendo World, wait times were at 200 minutes, which is over three hours. I’m sorry, but there is absolutely no ride on earth I’m waiting three hours for.

So here’s my very honest advice. If you don’t have an Express Pass that includes Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness, your best shot is to register for the earliest possible free entry slot for Super Nintendo World in the app and then head straight there as soon as you’re allowed in. 

From my experience, that’s realistically your only chance of riding it without an unhinged wait time. Crowds do vary by season, of course, but this one fills up fast.

6. Harry Potter World Has No Timed Entrance in the Morning

Because I didn’t get an early entry slot for Super Nintendo World, I went straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter instead as soon as the gates opened around 8:00 am. And honestly? I loved it.

I wandered through Diagon Alley, popped into the shops, and actually had space to look around without being pushed along by a crowd. The theming is so well done, and yes, I fully admit I love Harry Potter. I also managed to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey with a relatively short wait, which felt like a small win early in the day.

So while I technically “missed out” on an early Super Nintendo World slot, I got a calm, crowd-light morning in Harry Potter World instead. And if I’m being honest, that trade-off didn’t feel too bad at all, I might even prefer it.

7. Buy a Butter Beer in the Three Broom Sticks

This one isn’t the biggest deal, but it made me feel kinda clever, so it deserves a spot. I had my first Butterbeer earlier in the day from one of the carts in Harry Potter World, when the lines were still reasonable. All good.

Later on, I was ready for round two, except the Butterbeer cart line got way too long. Instead of queuing, I headed into The Three Broomsticks, which is literally right across the way, and ordered the exact same Butterbeer inside. No line, no waiting, maybe one minute total.

Is it a small win? Yes. Did it save me around 30 minutes of standing around for a drink? Also yes.

8. Use the Single Rider Line

Using the single rider lines is hands-down one of the main reasons I managed to get on as many rides as I did without having the top Express Pass. On a lot of attractions, the solo rider lines were significantly shorter, so we just went for it.

We were still “together” in the sense that we lined up as a group, we just didn’t sit next to each other on the ride. And let’s be real, on a roller coaster you’re not exactly having deep conversations anyway. This alone saved us a lot of time throughout the day.

If you don’t mind being split up for a few minutes, the solo rider line is one of the easiest ways to squeeze more rides into your visit. I’d use it again without hesitation.

9. You Can Do it Without the Express Pass

You can do Universal Studios Japan without an Express Pass. I know because I mostly did. I had one, but I couldn’t use it for all the rides, and I still managed to get on pretty much everything I wanted by using single rider lines.

That said, the Express Pass definitely helps. I paid around $150 USD, and while it made things easier, I also fully understand not wanting to spend that kind of money per person.

If you skip it, arriving early is key. That first hour in the park really matters. From my experience, you can usually squeeze in one or two major rides before the crowds build up. After that, keep an eye on wait times in the app and use single rider lines whenever possible. You’ll wait longer than Express Pass holders, but it’s doable.

FAQs About My Tips for Universal Studios Japan

Is Universal Studios Japan worth it?

I can obviously only speak from my own experience, but for me it was a clear yes. I loved Harry Potter World, Super Nintendo World was insanely well done, and Jurassic Park: The Flying Dinosaur is hands down the wildest roller coaster I’ve ever been on. I had a genuinely great day.

Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass worth it?

It definitely helps and saves a lot of time, but I don’t think it’s strictly necessary if you plan your day well. If you do get one, I’d go for an Express Pass 8 (especially the Minion & Mine Cart version) so all the major rides are included. That’s where it really pays off.

Are there good rides at Universal Studios Japan?

Absolutely. There are some seriously good rides here. My personal favorite was Jurassic Park: The Flying Dinosaur which is easily the most intense and slightly terrifying coaster I’ve ever been on (in a good way).

Where is Universal Studios Japan located?

Universal Studios Japan is right on the waterfront in Osaka and very easy to reach. I took the metro straight from my hotel to Universal City Station, and it couldn’t have been simpler.

Final Thoughts on Universal Studios Japan

I was honestly a bit shocked by how busy Universal Studios Japan got as the day went on. It was packed. That said, I visited during Halloween Horror Nights, so I’m sure it was busier than usual.

You do need at least a loose game plan to make the most of your day here. I wasn’t perfectly prepared, but I still had a great time, and there are definitely a few things I’d do differently next time. Follow most of the tips above, stay flexible, and you’ll have an awesome day. Happy travels.

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