Universal Studios Japan Express Pass 7 Review: Ticket Guide 2026
Navigating Universal Studios Japan tickets can be tricky! Get all the essential info on USJ entry and the Express Pass 7, plus our firsthand review on how it saved us hours in line.

Osaka Universal Studios Japan Tickets
Express Pass 7 Review
Text/Photos ©HiBooboo
Often considered a must-do on any Osaka trip,
Universal Studios Japan offers a variety of ticket types,
and its system can feel a bit complex for first-time visitors.
Plus, given its immense popularity,
you're probably wondering about the wait times for each attraction.
Today, I'll share all the essential Osaka Universal Studios Japan ticket information
and a review of my experience using the Express Pass 7,
which dramatically cut down my waiting time!
Osaka Universal Ticket Information

Let's start by clearing up some confusion around
Osaka Universal ticket types.
I've put together a quick summary below:
Ticket Type | Details |
Admission Ticket | The essential ticket required to enter Universal Studios Japan. |
Express Pass | A premium ticket that significantly reduces wait times for attractions. |
Numbered Ticket | A ticket required to enter Super Nintendo World. |
Lottery Ticket | A lottery-based ticket for entering Super Nintendo World if you couldn't get a Numbered Ticket. |
Entry Guarantee Ticket | A ticket that guarantees entry to Super Nintendo World. |
Broadly speaking, there are five types of tickets.
The only essential ticket for entering Osaka Universal Studios Japan is the
'Admission Ticket,' while the others are optional.

Among these, the Numbered Ticket, Lottery Ticket, and Entry Guarantee Ticket
are all separate tickets required to enter the Super Nintendo World area within Universal Studios.
The Entry Guarantee Ticket can be reserved in advance, often as part of a package.
The Numbered Ticket can be obtained via the app on the day of entry.
The Lottery Ticket is for those who failed to get a Numbered Ticket, offering a chance
to enter Super Nintendo World through a lottery.
However, during off-peak seasons or on weekdays,
these tickets are often not required for entry to Super Nintendo World,
so keep that in mind!

Finally, the Express Pass is a ticket that reduces wait times for attractions within the theme park.
For Universal's popular attractions, especially those in Super Nintendo World,
wait times can sometimes stretch to 2-3 hours.
In such cases, an Express Pass is practically essential
to enjoy Universal Studios quickly and comfortably.

For more detailed information and to book your Osaka Universal Studios Japan tickets,
you can check out the link below!
>> Learn more about Osaka Universal Studios Japan Tickets
Express Pass 7, An Essential Item
As I mentioned earlier, the Express Pass 7 is an optional premium ticket.
However, even though it's optional, it's an absolutely essential item
to truly make the most of your Osaka Universal Studios Japan experience!

When I visited Universal Studios,
I also used the Express Pass 7.
While the exact attractions included might have changed slightly since my visit,
I highly recommend the following pass:
Express Pass Tram Car & Selection 7 |
1. Mario Kart 2. Yoshi's Adventure 3. Donkey Kong's Crazy Tram Car 4. Flight of the Hippogriff 5. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey 6. The Flying Dinosaur or Despicable Me Minion Mayhem 7. JAWS or Jurassic Park – The Ride |
This pass includes the most popular Nintendo World and
Harry Potter areas, which is why
I personally think it offers the best value for money.

Even if you decide to use a different Express Pass,
you absolutely must check **whether it includes Nintendo World attractions**
before making your reservation!
My Review of Using Express Pass 7
Next, I'll share **my review of visiting Universal Studios**
**using Express Pass 7** during the summer.

At the time, my pass had designated ride times, in the order of Harry Potter then Nintendo.
Please keep this in mind as you need to ride at your assigned times!

The first attraction I rode was Forbidden Journey.
The posted wait time was about 40-50 minutes, but
I only waited for about 10 minutes and got right on!

After that, I headed over to ride The Flight of the Hippogriff right next door.
The estimated wait time was about 30-40 minutes, but
with my pass, I only waited about 20 minutes before getting on.

Next, I went to ride the attractions in Nintendo World,
which usually have the longest wait times.
For Mario Kart, which I rode first,
the wait time was close to 90 minutes!
Fortunately, with the Express Pass, I only had to wait about
25 minutes before getting to experience it.

Yoshi's Adventure, despite a posted wait time of 50 minutes,
I was able to enjoy in about 20 minutes. And for
Donkey Kong, even though it showed a 150-minute wait,
I was actually able to ride it in about 20 minutes!

If I hadn't used the Express Pass,
waiting for these five attractions alone would have taken
over 300 minutes!
Thanks to the pass, I was able to ride all the most popular attractions
in just over an hour.
(That's how much extra travel time I gained!)

Because the Express Pass can be on the pricier side,
you might be debating whether to get one. However,
if you're traveling with children, I consider it an absolute must-have!
Even if you're visiting with friends or your significant other,
if you dislike waiting in lines or are making the most of precious vacation time,
using the pass to gain more travel time
could be a very smart move.
So, I hope you use today's review to have a fantastic time
at Universal Studios!
▼ Curious about more Osaka Universal tips? ▼
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the essential ticket required to enter Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and what types of tickets are available?
The essential ticket for entering Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is the 'Studio Pass' (Admission Ticket). In addition to this, there is the 'Universal Express Pass' to reduce wait times for attractions, and 'Area Timed Entry Tickets', 'Lottery Tickets', and 'Confirmed Entry Tickets' for entry into Nintendo World.
What types of tickets are required to enter Universal Studios Japan's Nintendo World, and how are they issued?
Tickets required for entry into Nintendo World include 'Confirmed Entry Tickets', 'Area Timed Entry Tickets', and 'Lottery Tickets'. Confirmed Entry Tickets can be reserved in advance, often as part of a package. Area Timed Entry Tickets are issued via the app on the day of entry. Lottery Tickets allow entry by lottery if you fail to obtain an Area Timed Entry Ticket.
What type of Express Pass 7 is recommended in the article, and what are its main attractions?
The article recommends the 'Universal Express Pass: Tram Car & Selection 7'. This pass includes attractions such as Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, Yoshi's Adventure, Donkey Kong's Crazy Tram Car, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
When using Universal Express Pass 7, how much was the waiting time reduced for the Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart, and Donkey Kong attractions, respectively?
The Forbidden Journey's waiting time was reduced from an apparent 40-50 minutes to 10 minutes. Mario Kart was reduced from approximately 90 minutes to 25 minutes. Donkey Kong was reduced from about 150 minutes to around 20 minutes. Thanks to the Express Pass, the total waiting time for these five attractions was cut down to just over 1 hour.
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