Universal Studios Japan Tickets 2026: USJ Express Pass Guide

Universal Studios Japan Tickets in Osaka, Japan

My Recommendation: The USJ Express Pass!

Words & Photos ©Hibubu

In Osaka, Japan, you'll find an incredibly popular international theme park:

Universal Studios Japan!

With its diverse themed zones and a plethora of attractions for everyone to enjoy,

it's safe to say that most visitors to Osaka make a stop here –

it's that popular!

But let's be honest, navigating the **many ticket types can be confusing**, and tales of

**long wait times for attractions** often leave

first-time visitors feeling a little anxious.

Today, for all you first-time Universal Studios visitors,

I'll break down the **different ticket types** and even share my personal

**review and recommendation for the USJ Express Pass**!

First things first, let's unravel the **different ticket types**

for Universal Studios Osaka, which can often be the most confusing part!

📌 Broadly speaking, tickets are divided into: **Admission Tickets, Timed Entry Tickets,**

**Guaranteed Entry Tickets, Lottery Tickets, and Express Passes**.

Below, I've put together a simple table to show you what each ticket type

is used for.

To sum it up, the **absolutely essential ticket is the ▶️ Admission Ticket**​, and the

**ticket to cut down on attraction wait times is the ▶️ Express Pass**.

Beyond that, **Guaranteed Entry Tickets, Timed Entry Tickets, and Lottery Tickets** are all for entering specific areas,

and currently, these **apply to the Nintendo area**.

However, during off-peak seasons, it's possible that entry to the Nintendo area won't be restricted,

even without these special tickets.

What's more, if you grab an Express Pass that includes attractions from the Nintendo area,

then **entry to Nintendo World is, of course, already included!**

Keep these concepts in mind, and you'll be all set to

book your Universal Studios Osaka tickets with confidence!

Next up, I'll share how you can **book your Universal Studios Osaka tickets

at a discount**!

You can easily purchase both admission tickets and Express Passes via the reservation links below.

▼ Book Your Universal Studios Osaka Admission Ticket Here ▼

▼ Book Your USJ Express Pass Here ▼

❗️ I have **one crucial tip** I really want to share with anyone planning to

**book an Express Pass**.

Remember, with an Express Pass, you don't pick individual attractions;

instead, you book a package that includes 4-8 pre-selected rides.

Therefore, be sure to **check if Nintendo World's

'Mario Kart' and 'Donkey Kong's Crazy Tram Car'**

**are included** in the attraction list!

(These two attractions typically have the longest waits.)

As I explained earlier when going over ticket types,

the **Admission Ticket is essential**, while the **Express Pass is an optional ticket**

you can choose based on your needs.

But for those with ✅limited energy or time,

✅especially for families traveling with children,

I'd argue that despite the cost, it's **practically an essential ticket**.

Want to know why? I'll tell you all about it below, along with **my personal

experience using the Express Pass**!

You've probably heard a lot of stories about Universal Studios Osaka,

how people start waiting for the 'open run' as early as 6 AM,

all because of Nintendo World.

The wait times for Nintendo's attractions are notoriously long,

and while that's understandable, just thinking about it already

makes you feel tired, doesn't it?

I, however, used an Express Pass,

so I arrived leisurely around 10 AM.

And there was absolutely no wait to get in.

I used the Express Pass 7.

With this pass, the ride times for all seven attractions

are pre-assigned.

Therefore, I headed to the

Harry Potter Area, which was the first attraction I could ride.

Using the pass is really simple.

You just go to the designated attraction entrance at your scheduled time

and have your QR code scanned, as shown in the photo, and you're good to go!

If you look at the photo on the left, you'll see people lining up for the Harry Potter attraction.

At that time, the actual wait was over 30 minutes.

However, since I used the Express Pass,

I was able to use the separate line on the right,

and got on the attraction in about 5 minutes.

Next, I headed to the highlight of Universal Studios Osaka:

the Nintendo World Area.

While tickets like timed entry vouchers or numbered tickets are usually required for entry,

the Express Pass I used included Nintendo World

admission, so I could enter right away.

The first attraction I rode there was Mario Kart,

and at that time, the wait for this attraction was '90 minutes'.

Even though countless people were waiting in the line on the right,

I was able to enter directly through the other line on the left.

Finally, the last attraction I rode was Donkey Kong,

and the wait time for this one was incredibly long all day,

approaching two and a half to three hours.

Similarly, by utilizing the Express Pass,

I was able to enter through a separate line

and got on after waiting for about 20 minutes.

Since I was able to cut the overall wait times for attractions

by 80-90%,

I managed to conquer Universal Studios in just half a day!

Finally, let's wrap things up by summarizing all the ticket types we've introduced today and our pass reviews.

To enter Universal Studios Osaka, you must book your admission tickets in advance, and while Express Passes are optional, they're highly recommended.

However, attractions in the Nintendo or Harry Potter areas tend to have incredibly long waiting times. So, if you're looking to save precious time or are traveling with children, an Express Pass is virtually essential!

Just don't forget, when you're booking, make sure you choose a pass that ❗️includes Mario Kart and Donkey Kong's Crazy Tram Car within the Nintendo area!

So, take all the tips we've shared today and get ready to have an amazing, unforgettable time at Universal Japan!