
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...

Actual line for 9 AM open run
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

Actual Donkey Kong queue
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]
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.