USJ Osaka 2026: Express Pass for Families, Worth It?

The place I was most excited for on our Osaka trip with the kids!

And of course, it was Universal Studios Japan!

This time, I only prepared USJ admission tickets,

and didn't purchase the Express Pass separately.

After spending a whole day there myself,

I realized that if I go again next time,

I'd probably buy the Express Pass first, haha!

We waited 2 hours and 30 minutes just to ride Donkey Kong,

and hour-long waits for popular attractions were common.

In the end, we didn't even get to see half of the park,

because the kids were completely exhausted.

I suppose it's different if you can visit USJ multiple times,

but if you're only dedicating one day during your Osaka trip,

buying time with money might just be the way to go.

Getting Your USJ Tickets in Advance via Klook

I purchased my Universal Studios Japan admission tickets

in advance through Klook.

There's one thing that's easy to get confused about here.

Just buying an Express Pass

doesn't grant you entry to USJ.

A Studio Pass is essentially required.

September Osaka Universal: Should I Buy an Express Pass When Going with Kids? A Comprehensive Guide to Booking Cheaper Tickets!blog.naver.com

On Klook, there are packages that combine admission tickets and Express Passes,

and various configurations of Express Passes (4, 5, 7, 8 attractions), so

you can choose based on whether the attractions you really want to ride

are included.

If I were to go again with my kids,

I'd start by looking for packages that include Donkey Kong or Mario attractions.

The Universal Experience Starts the Moment You Get Off the Train

As for how to get to USJ from Namba Station,

I'll be writing a separate post just about the transportation process!

When you get off at Universal City Station,

the atmosphere immediately transforms.

From the station itself, with its merchandise shops, characters, and music,

the kids were already buzzing with excitement, haha!

We went in after our bags were checked and tickets verified at the entrance.

With two kids, I wasn't confident about doing an 'open run' (arriving before opening) from the start,

so we entered between 10 and 11 AM.

The entry process itself wasn't difficult at all.

Merchandise: Keep a Tight Grip on Your Wallet from the Start!

I'd heard that if you find merchandise you like,

it's best to buy it early on,

so we started browsing right away.

Even just one headband was around ~$22.

And some hats were almost ~$37,

so I was a little surprised when I saw the prices.

Still, to get the kids in the holiday spirit,

we each got a headband~

We actually rented Mario hats, Power-Up Bands,

and Harry Potter wands in Korea beforehand,

and that was definitely one of the best preparations we made for this trip!

The Power-Up Band can be used throughout Nintendo World

to hit blocks and collect coins or

stamps in various interactive experiences.

I'll share more details about renting them in a separate post!

Our First Stop: Snoopy's Kid Paradise!

We kicked off our adventure in the Universal Wonderland area!

With its vibrant colors and adorable charm,

this area is absolutely brimming with delightful attractions for kids!

We hopped on a Snoopy attraction

and also had a blast playing inside Snoopy Studio!

While our first child went off to enjoy an attraction,

our second child happily explored the indoor interactive experiences.

It was perfect!

Even if you're traveling with little ones who can't ride many attractions due to height limits,

this spot offers so much to see and play with,

making it a fantastic first stop!

WaterWorld: A Must-See Before Even Nintendo!

Next up, WaterWorld!

Seriously, I can't recommend this show enough – it's an absolute must-see!

While Nintendo World might be the star attraction of USJ,

WaterWorld was a show we went into with zero expectations,

and it turned out to be the most surprising highlight of our trip!

The official show runs for about 20 minutes,

and within that timeframe, you'll witness explosive action, characters soaring over water,

and stunts that are far grander in scale than you might imagine!

I walked in thinking, "Oh, it's just another theme park show,"

but by the end, I was utterly blown away, wondering, "Where else could I possibly witness a spectacle of this magnitude?"

Be warned: the front rows get seriously drenched!

Don't expect just a few splashes;

I saw people who were practically swimming by the end of it, haha!

If you're not a fan of getting soaked, definitely head for the back rows!

Even if our family returns,

WaterWorld will definitely be on our re-watch list!

Step Into the Game: Super Nintendo World Awaits!

Next on our adventure: Super Nintendo World!

True to its reputation, it was absolutely buzzing with people!

From the instant you step through that iconic green pipe,

you're immediately transported right into the game itself!

The vibrant colors, immersive sounds, and interactive elements –

everything was so much more thrilling and engaging in person than any photo could capture!

Having our Power-Up Bands

truly made this experience shine!

We were thwacking blocks everywhere, making those satisfying *ding-ding-ding* sounds!

Even our second child, who couldn't go on the attractions,

They absolutely loved having this kind of experience!

Just a heads-up: entry into Super Nintendo World might require a timed entry ticket or an assured entry pass, depending on the day's crowd levels.

And good news for future explorers – from 2026 onwards,

same-day timed entry tickets will be issued right through the official app!

Some Express Passes even include an assured entry pass for Nintendo World, so if it's your first time,

definitely check if this is part of your package – it can be a real game-changer!

Donkey Kong: 2 hours 30 minutes,

This is where the Express Pass really came to mind.

We even indulged in a Donkey Kong parfait at Nintendo World!

Each one was around ~$16~

Once you step into USJ, it's a good idea to set your expectations:

anything you buy will likely be around ~$22,

and if it's a piece of merchandise you truly love, be prepared for it to be around ~$37.

It helps to keep a relaxed mindset!

And then, the infamous Donkey Kong.

My eldest really wanted to ride it, so we decided to wait.

The queue time? A whopping 2 hours and 30 minutes!

And yes, we actually waited it out.... haha.

After waiting for two and a half hours,

the ride itself was only about 2 minutes long!

This was the moment I regretted not getting an Express Pass the most!

​

When you're with kids and have a limited time – just one day –

spending over two hours on a single attraction really eats into your precious time for everything else!

→ [Check out USJ Express Passes, including Donkey Kong, here!]

​

While the price might make you hesitate at first glance,

trust me, once you experience those queues firsthand, you'll instantly understand why an Express Pass is such a worthwhile investment!

You absolutely MUST check the height restrictions accurately!

Before you head to USJ, make sure to thoroughly check the height restrictions for each individual attraction!

Osaka Universal: Must-Read Before Visiting with Kids! Height Restrictions (97cm, 127cm) & Smart Tips to Avoid Getting Lostblog.naver.com

For Donkey Kong's Crazy Tram Car, if you're riding solo, you'll need to be 122cm (approx. 4 ft) or taller~!

Even with a guardian,

the minimum height is 107cm (approx. 3.5 ft).

Unfortunately, our second child couldn't ride,

even with a guardian, due to the height limit.

So, while our eldest enjoyed Donkey Kong,

my second child and I explored the area

and entertained ourselves with some simpler activities while we waited.

If you're traveling with siblings of different heights,

a smart move is to plan ahead and figure out which attractions each child can ride before you even go.

And here's a great tip: if one child can't make the height requirement,

USJ offers a 'Child Switch' system! This allows guardians to take turns riding without having to wait in line twice.

Bringing our Harry Potter wands was one of the best decisions ever!

Our final destination? Harry Potter's magical world~

Watching our first child's reaction here was simply priceless!

Wielding the magic wand we'd rented back in Korea,

when you cast a spell at the designated spots,

the surrounding magical contraptions truly spring to life!

Initially, they were a bit skeptical,

but the moment they swung their wand and something actually moved,

our eldest's expression totally transformed! Pure magic! 😄

Once they had their first success,

hunting for the next magical spot

became a thrilling quest in itself!

We also ventured inside Hogwarts Castle to explore its wonders.

The atmosphere, straight out of the movies, was perfectly recreated,

so from the very moment we stepped inside the castle walls,

our child was absolutely mesmerized!

​

Especially the moving portraits,

felt truly straight out of the film,

and our eldest absolutely adored examining each one.

Even if you don't go on the rides,

simply exploring the castle's interior offers so much to see and experience,

so if you're a Harry Potter fan,

I highly recommend stepping inside at least once!

We really wanted to experience the rides as well,

but the wait times were just too long, so this time we contented ourselves with exploring the castle's interior and

the interactive wand magic experience! ✨

In the end, we didn't even get to see half of USJ!

There was so much more we longed to see,

but as the sun began to set, the kids' energy levels completely dwindled.

We couldn't even manage the morning 'open run' (first in line),

the queues for every attraction were endlessly long,

and after spending a whopping 2.5 hours waiting for Donkey Kong,

it truly felt like we'd barely scratched the surface of Universal Studios.

Ultimately, we decided to leave a little early

and headed back to Namba for dinner.

USJ with kids: Should you invest in an Express Pass?

I absolutely will next time!

​

Especially for little ones, from preschoolers to early elementary students,

the sheer act of waiting in long queues

drains their energy far too quickly for the day.

Even as adults, standing for over an hour can be exhausting,

so it's incredibly tough to ask a child to wait for two hours,

only to then ask them to wait again at the next attraction.

Perhaps when they're in upper elementary school,

and can actually enjoy waiting in line with you,

you might be able to tackle it with just a standard admission ticket.

But if it's your first time visiting with children,

and you've only carved out a single day for USJ on your itinerary,

I'd personally factor in the cost of an Express Pass

into the overall travel budget.

It's not a place you can easily visit multiple times,

so when you do go, making sure you ride what you want,

seeing Waterworld,

and exploring Nintendo World at a leisurely pace

will make your visit feel so much more worthwhile~!! 🎉

Don't end up like me, waiting 2.5 hours in line,

and regretting, 'I should have bought it then!' trust me! 😄

Express Passes vary based on the included attractions and

time slots for each product, so

I recommend choosing one after considering your child's height and the specific rides you absolutely can't miss!

▼▼You Might Also Like These Posts▼▼

Exploring Osaka with a Stroller: USJ is a Must! Plus, Rickshaws in Kyoto and Dodging Deer Droppings in Narablog.naver.com

Wellstay Namba: Our 4-Night Family Suite Review for a Family of 5 in Osaka (with Kids!)blog.naver.com

Sushiro Shinsaibashi: Trying 150 yen Conveyor Belt Sushi with the Kids in Osaka!blog.naver.com

#OsakaUSJ #USJReview #UniversalStudiosJapan #UniversalStudiosJapan #USJExpress #USJExpressPass #UniversalExpressPass #USJTickets #KlookUSJ #SuperNintendoWorld #USJDonkeyKong #DonkeyKongCrazyTramCar #USJWaterWorld #USJHarryPotter #USJwithKids #OsakaTripwithKids #OsakaFamilyTrip