USJ Express Pass Comparison 2026: 4 vs 7, Is It Worth It?

If I go to USJ Osaka again,

I'll be looking into an Express Pass first.

To ride just one Donkey Kong attraction with the kids,

we waited a whopping 2 hours and 30 minutes!

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It was certainly fun, really fun,

but to ride an attraction for just a few minutes

and wait two and a half hours? Haha.

In that time, I could have ridden other attractions

and seen so much more, you know?

But does that mean a super expensive pass is always the answer?

With Express Pass 4 and 7, it's about whether you can truly make the most of it,

considering the price difference. That's what seemed important.

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Express Pass 4 vs. 7: What's the difference?

At first, I thought 7 would naturally be better,

but my opinion changed when I saw which attractions were included.

Express Pass 4 grants access to four attractions,

and Express Pass 7 to seven attractions,

allowing you to use a dedicated queue line.

But more important than the number is:

Are the attractions you absolutely want to ride included?

I compared the main options that include Donkey Kong.

Comparison	Express Pass 4	Express Pass 7
Donkey Kong	Included	Included
Yoshi	Included	Included
Mario Kart	Not Included	Included
Harry Potter Forbidden Journey	Not Included	Included
Official Starting Price	14,800 yen~	21,800 yen~

The table above compares official products that include Donkey Kong,

and even within Express Pass 4, the available attractions vary by type.

So, rather than just choosing between 4 and 7,

it's crucial to check the included attractions first.

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If Donkey Kong is your goal,

is Express Pass 4 enough?

If you're like me and absolutely want to ride Donkey Kong,

I'd recommend starting with Express Pass 4 that includes Donkey Kong.

After waiting two and a half hours this time,

I truly understood how precious that time was.

Enjoying Donkey Kong and Yoshi first,

then exploring Nintendo World with the remaining time,

and even shopping for merchandise would be perfect, right?

Especially when traveling with kids,

it's more important to enjoy yourselves at a relaxed pace

than to ride a ton of attractions, don't you think?

While Express Passes don't eliminate waiting entirely,

they can significantly cut down your time in line compared to the regular queue,

so they're definitely worth considering.

If, like me, your biggest goal is just Donkey Kong,

then there's no need to buy the more expensive Express Pass 7, right?

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▶ Express Pass 4 including Donkey Kong

Check prices by date and book now

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So, is Express Pass 7 worth the money?

If you want to ride as many popular attractions as possible in one day,

that's a different story.

If you don't want to miss Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Yoshi,

and even Harry Potter, then Express Pass 7 would be a better fit.

Especially if your itinerary only allows for one day at USJ,

saving wait time might be even more crucial.

However, if I'm going with kids,

I think there's something to check even before the price:

It's the height restrictions.

In my experience, height limits were strictly enforced.

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If you're going with kids, check the height restrictions first.

When we went to Osaka, my kids were

my first child 127cm and my second 97cm tall.

Since each ride has different height restrictions,

I realized there's no need to buy the exact same pass for everyone.

Ride	Minimum Height Requirement
Yoshi's Adventure	92cm
Donkey Kong	107cm
Mario Kart	107cm
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey	122cm

Some sections require guardian accompaniment,

and if a child is too short, they can't ride at all.

My second child could ride Yoshi's Adventure,

but wasn't tall enough for Donkey Kong and Mario Kart.

But what if I had just bought

Express Pass 7 for the entire family?

We would have wasted money on rides

we couldn't even use.

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If you're going with kids, first check how many rides they can go on,

then choose your pass.

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▶ Attractions included with Express Pass 7 and

check prices by date and book

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Express Pass 4 and 7,

how much do they differ in price?

This is based on the starting prices displayed on the USJ official website,

checked on November 6, 2026.

Category	Official Starting Price
Express Pass 4 Donkey Kong Included Option	14,800 yen~
Express Pass 7 Donkey Kong Included Option	21,800 yen~
Starting Price Difference	7,000 yen

Comparing starting prices,

it's a 7,000 yen difference per person.

For three people, that's 21,000 yen.

However, the actual price difference on the same date

can vary depending on the options and time slot.

So, rather than just looking at the price,

it's better to decide which rides your family wants to go on

and then compare prices for the same date.

Can I enter the park with just an Express Pass?

It's essential to know this before booking:

Express Passes and USJ Admission Tickets are separate.

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An Express Pass is an additional ticket that reduces wait times

for popular rides. To enter USJ,

you'll need a separate Studio Admission Ticket.

Also, some Express Passes include

guaranteed entry to Nintendo World,

but this isn't true for all options.

There are also specified time slots, so be sure to check

your visit date and time when booking.

▶ USJ 1-Day Studio Pass

check prices and book

If I went again, which Express Pass would I choose?

This time, I really enjoyed USJ with my kids

even without an Express Pass.

However, I'd like to spend the two and a half hours we waited

for Donkey Kong a bit differently next time.

So, if I went again, here's my choice!

If Donkey Kong is your top priority, go for Express Pass 4.

If you want to enjoy Nintendo World and Harry Potter,

then Express Pass 7.

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And make sure to check your children's height and ride eligibility first,

then only buy what you need!

At USJ, a more expensive pass doesn't automatically mean more fun.

What truly matters is how effectively your family can enjoy the rides you want.

If you've decided on your Osaka USJ visit date,

start by picking the rides you absolutely want to experience,

then compare Express Pass prices.

I believe those two hours saved on your trip

are absolutely worth it.

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