Universal Studios Japan Ticket Guide 2026: Express Pass
Planning a family trip to Universal Studios Japan? Here is everything you need to know about USJ ticket prices, Express Passes, and securing Nintendo World entry.
Day 2 of our Osaka trip!
We had 5 adults
and two kids (ages 5 and 7) in our group,
so we headed over to
Universal Studios Japan!
We booked our Studio Passes + Express Pass 4
well in advance.
While you can easily show
the QR codes
on your phone,
just to be safe,
we printed out
physical paper copies too!
Ticket prices for Universal Studios Japan
vary depending on the season and date.
Prices differ across
Seasons A through F.
Although the basic admission ticket
gives you access to most of the rides,
the catch is
having to wait 120 to 150+ minutes
in regular lines.
Prices: 1-Day Pass is around ~$51 - ~$64
1.5-Day Pass is around ~$83 - ~$96
2-Day Pass is around ~$96 - ~$109
Express Passes
Express Pass 4, 5, or 7
These let you skip the long lines
and quickly enter the attractions
through a dedicated priority queue for 4, 5, or 7 rides.
They also include guaranteed Area Timed Entry for Super Mario and Harry Potter!
Express Pass 4 Price: around ~$96 - ~$160 range
Express Pass 7 Price: from high ~$170s and up -
Timed Entry Ticket (Area Reservation)
This is a pass that grants entry to high-demand,
capacity-controlled areas where a regular admission ticket
won't get you in on its own—such as
Super Nintendo World and
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
e-Numbered Tickets (First-Come, First-Served / Lottery)
These are free entry passes for popular areas
that you can get on the day of your visit
via the official USJ mobile app.
For these e-Numbered tickets, you need to "open run"
and apply through the app as soon as you enter the park.
Seasons
We visited on Friday, January 16th,
which was categorized as Season C.
You can check which season applies
to your specific dates
on the official website.
Prices gradually increase
from Season A to B, C, D, E, and F,
making them
more expensive,
with Season E being the most expensive.
Naturally, prices soar during
major holidays like Christmas and Halloween,
and along with that,
the crowd levels
inside the park also peak!
We tried to book our tickets
just a day in advance,
but only the 6:00 PM entry slot was left.
Once bookings open up,
they sell out incredibly fast,
so it's definitely best to book early!
Here is what we paid:
1 Adult Studio Pass: ~$59
1 Child Studio Pass: ~$37
Express Pass 4 Attractions
Thrills & The Flying Dinosaur
(Includes Super Nintendo World Timed Entry)
Attractions included:
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
Mine Cart Madness
JAWS OR Jurassic Park - The Ride (Choose 1)
The Flying Dinosaur
These let us hop on
these 4 major attractions super fast!
Express Pass 4 Price
Adults & Children (per person): ~$101 was the cost.
Total Price (Studio Pass + Express Pass 4)
Adult Total: ~$160
Child Total (per person): ~$139
Remember, admission tickets and Express Passes
must be purchased separately!
Buying the Express Pass
was definitely a smart move!
The lines were incredibly long,
so while everyone else
was stuck waiting forever,
we waited less than 30 minutes
before heading right in!
It saved us so much time
and spared our tired legs.
Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass (Entry Ticket) Booking
MyRealTrip | Klook |
Book From ~$53 to ~$58 | Book From ~$53 to ~$59 |
Express Pass 4
Here is what the map looks like!
After scanning our entry ticket + Express Pass,
our very first stop
was the JAWS ride!
It's not scary at all—
just a nice, relaxing boat ride.
And then,
using our regular entry tickets,
we checked out Minions, Snoopy, and the carousel!
Pro tip:
if you download the USJ app,
you can book ride times
in advance!
You can also snap photos with
characters like Hello Kitty and Snoopy,
so there is plenty to see and do!
We arrived at 11:00 AM
and stayed all the way
until closing at 8:00 PM!
WaterWorld Show
You can watch the WaterWorld show
which runs at scheduled times throughout the day,
and you absolutely MUST see it!!
Pure thrills!
People were literally
falling from high up and diving,
there's a real storyline to follow,
and I found myself screaming along!
It's incredibly thrilling and so much fun.
Where to Eat
Besides this place, there's another restaurant
right next to the Minions area.
We ended up choosing this one,
but they say the restaurant
next to the Minions
is actually much better!
Using the kiosk...
What we ordered:
Meat Spaghetti Set
Teriyaki Burger Set
Cream Spaghetti Set
Shrimp Burger Set
For 7 items total,
it came out to about ~$64
The shrimp burger was definitely the best!
Snacks
The snacks
aren't exactly cheap.
The prices are a bit brutal!
A Snoopy bun is about ~$4
Water or sports drinks are around ~$3
They also have turkey legs,
and vending machines scattered around.
We've finally made it to Super Nintendo World!
Along with Harry Potter,
the Super Mario area
is by far the most popular
and always packed with massive crowds.
This is the entrance right here.
Once you step inside,
you'll feel like the game has come to life—
it's the real-deal Super Mario world!
Super Nintendo World
Riding the Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and Bowser attractions!
Our entry time
was for 6:00 PM,
so we headed over around 5:50 PM.
Normally, you need a Studio Pass + Area Timed Entry Ticket (확약권/정리권)
or
a Studio Pass + Express Pass
to get in,
but maybe because it was evening,
or for some other reason,
they didn't actually check our entry passes
and we just walked right in!
However, before
getting on any of the rides,
they checked our Express Passes and entry tickets
multiple
times!
Wow! It feels like stepping into a whole different world.
It is absolutely adorable!
Literally inside the game.
We actually rented our Power-Up Bands
in advance
from Korea.
Buying them here
costs around ~$32,
so renting them ahead of time was a great move.
When you tap the Question Mark Blocks
with your Power-Up Band,
it makes a satisfying "ping!" sound,
and you can use it to complete mini-missions.
Both the kids
and the adults
found it super fun and interactive!
I also grabbed a souvenir!
It was a bit pricey,
but the quality is top-notch!
With such energetic music
and super fun rides,
Super Nintendo World
at Universal Studios Japan
is an absolute must-visit
when you come to Osaka!
Location
📍 Universal Studios Japan
2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031 Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
What benefits and rides are included when purchasing the Express Pass 4 at Universal Studios Japan?
The Express Pass 4 purchased by the author includes a Super Nintendo World Area Timed Entry Ticket. This allows you to quickly board a total of four rides, including Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, The Flying Dinosaur, and either Jaws or Jurassic Park, with a wait time of less than 30 minutes.
How can I get an e-Ticket (Timed Entry eTicket) to enter Super Nintendo World?
The Timed Entry eTicket is a first-come, first-served pass that can be obtained for free on the day of your visit through the official Universal Studios Japan app. To enter Super Nintendo World, which has a capacity limit, you need to arrive right at opening and apply on a first-come, first-served basis via the app on the day of your visit.
What is the actual price range for restaurants and snacks inside Universal Studios Japan?
When ordering 7 burger and spaghetti sets at a restaurant via a kiosk, it cost ~$64. For snacks, a Snoopy bun is ~$4, and water and sports drinks are ~$3, which is on the pricey side.
How much does it cost to buy a Power-Up Band locally to use in Super Nintendo World?
Purchasing a Power-Up Band at Universal Studios Japan costs ~$32. It is an item that allows you to complete missions by hitting Question Blocks. To save money, you can also rent one in advance before your trip.
What was the total cost for adult and child admission tickets and Express Pass 4 tickets when visiting during Season C on January 16th?
Based on Season C on January 16th, the total cost was ~$160 for an adult and ~$139 for a child. The adult admission ticket was ~$59, and the child admission ticket was ~$37. The Express Pass 4 ticket was ~$101 per person, regardless of age.
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