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Planning a trip to Universal Studios Japan in 2026? Discover essential tips for navigating USJ's notorious wait times, the real cost of entry, and why an Express Pass 4 is a game-changer, especially for Super Nintendo World.
What was the one thought that kept running through my mind as I rushed into Universal Studios Japan for an 'open run'?
"Oh, I should have just spent the money on an Express Pass..."
Honestly, I'd visited Disneyland before, bought only a general admission ticket, and still managed to get on quite a few rides. I thought I could replicate that success at USJ...
But Universal is on a whole different level!
I'm here to share my actual experience with a USJ 'open run' in Osaka and guide you on finding the perfect **Express Pass 4 ticket** for your trip.
USJ Attraction Wait Times in Osaka
First off, I visited with **no Nintendo World timed entry ticket** and **no Express Pass**, just relying on the 'open run' strategy.
I went on a weekday and honestly didn't expect to wait this long... haha.
Let me tell you how long the attraction wait times were when I did the 'open run'.
Since it was a **weekday**, I was able to enter **Super Nintendo World without a timed entry ticket or reservation ticket**.
I entered once in the morning during the 'open run'. By the afternoon, it was so crowded I couldn't even fathom going back in.
If you want a more relaxed experience, I recommend purchasing a ticket that **includes a timed entry pass**. You can then visit **once in the afternoon and again right before closing** for two enjoyable visits!
📌Osaka USJ Nintendo World Timed Entry Ticket
See that line for the Donkey Kong ride, the most popular attraction in Super Nintendo World?
The displayed wait time was **220 minutes for Donkey Kong**... haha.
The **actual wait time** was probably around **2 hours and 30 minutes**.
My legs were absolutely killing me, and it was hard to even find a restroom break in between!
But I have to admit, it was a blast...
After riding Donkey Kong, we grabbed some food and then hopped on another popular attraction, **Jaws**.
The **wait time** for this one was around **140 minutes**...
Fortunately, the actual wait was closer to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Shocking fact:
These two rides were practically all we managed to do!
After that, we just walked around, and the **wait times for most other attractions** were **over 120 minutes**... seriously?
And yes, I truly visited on a weekday! It's unbelievable. ㅠㅠ
My boyfriend isn't a huge fan of thrill rides, so doing just these few was fine for us.
But if you truly love attractions,
and want to fully experience Universal,
then an **Express Pass is an absolute must**.
Universal Japan Entry Ticket Prices
Let's compare the prices for the basic Universal Japan entry tickets.
[Based on 06/30/2026 Entry Tickets]
Klook | Trip.com | MyRealTrip |
~$61 | ~$61 | ~$60 |
The **lowest price** for a basic USJ entry ticket is currently with **MyRealTrip**!
What's more, if you **purchase your Universal entry ticket through MyRealTrip** right now, they offer **~$6 back in points**!
You need to purchase an instant confirmation product, and the points are usually paid back by 6 PM the next day.
If you're also planning to buy an Express Pass ticket, it's a great idea to **purchase your entry ticket first**, wait for the **~$6 points to come in**, and then **use those points towards your Express Pass purchase**!
Express Pass 4 Prices and Recommendations
For those looking to buy an Express Pass, **the Express Pass 4 offers the best value for money**.
Express Pass 4 tickets vary depending on the attractions included, but they typically range from **~$64 to ~$122**.
If your Express Pass ticket **includes the Super Nintendo World area**, you are **guaranteed entry** into Nintendo World, so make sure to purchase one that includes it!
If possible, I highly recommend buying a ticket that includes the Donkey Kong ride... haha!
So far, I've shared my **'open run' experience** at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka and the **attraction wait times**.
Honestly, doing the 'open run' was incredibly tiring, but the park was truly adorable and beautiful.
It's definitely worth visiting at least once in your life!
I **strongly recommend purchasing an Express Pass ticket**.
If you only want to explore **Super Nintendo World**, buying an **entry ticket that includes a timed entry pass** is a great way to visit affordably.
Yes, if you arrive right at opening on a weekday morning, you can usually enter Super Nintendo World without a Timed Entry Ticket or Standby Entry Ticket. However, it gets crowded in the afternoon, making entry difficult, so we recommend purchasing a ticket that includes guaranteed entry.
The posted wait time for the Donkey Kong attraction was 220 minutes, but it actually took about 2 hours and 30 minutes. For the Jaws attraction, the posted wait time was 140 minutes, but the actual wait was about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
As of June 30th, MyRealTrip is the cheapest at ~$60. If you purchase an instant confirmation product on this platform, you can receive points worth ~$6 as cashback by 6:00 PM the next day.
The price of an Express Pass 4 usually ranges from ~$64 to ~$122, depending on the attraction lineup. We recommend purchasing a ticket that includes Super Nintendo World and the Donkey Kong attraction to guarantee entry into the Nintendo area.
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