# Universal Studios Japan, Osaka > Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is a theme park in Osaka with Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Minion Park. It takes a whole day. A one-day adult ticket costs from roughly ¥8,400–8,900, depending on the date. Hours change by day. It's about 15 minutes by JR from Osaka station. Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/universal-studios-japan - City: [Osaka](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka), Japan - YesGo score: 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Entry: ≈ from ¥8,400–8,900 by date - With kids: Fine with kids - One-day ticket: Adults from roughly ¥8,400–8,900, by date - Children and seniors: Ages 4–11 and 65+ pay less - Hours: Vary by day, usually morning to evening - Main areas: Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, Minion Park - Time needed: A whole day - Getting there: JR to Universal City, about 15 minutes from Osaka station - Coordinates: 34.66540, 135.43230 - Facts checked: 09.11.2026 ## Key facts - **2001** — the year the park opened (source: en.wikipedia) - **2021** — Super Nintendo World opened — the world's first (source: en.wikipedia) - **2014** — the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened (source: en.wikipedia) - **2024** — Donkey Kong Country was added (source: en.wikipedia) - **A whole day** — needed for the park (source: YesGo estimate) - **By date** — the ticket price depends on the day you visit (source: travel guides) - **Express Pass** — a paid pass to skip ride queues (source: travel guides) - **15 minutes** — by JR from Osaka station (source: travel guides) ## What is Universal Studios Japan? **Universal Studios Japan**, USJ, is a theme park in Konohana ward on Osaka Bay, opened in **2001**. It's one of the most visited amusement parks in the world and Osaka's top choice for a day out with children. The park is divided into areas based on films and games. The most popular are **Super Nintendo World**, with Mario's world (the world's first, 2021) and Donkey Kong Country (2024), **The Wizarding World of Harry Potter** with Hogwarts castle (2014), and **Minion Park**. There's also Jurassic Park, Hollywood, New York, a children's area and shows. > **Buy tickets in advance** Buy your ticket online in advance: the price depends on the date, and on holidays and weekends tickets can sell out. On busy days Super Nintendo World is entered with a timed e-pass, which you get in the official USJ app once inside the park; an Express Pass guarantees entry. Arrive at opening: queues are shorter in the first hour. ## Tickets and hours A one-day **Studio Pass** for adults in 2026 costs **from roughly ¥8,400–8,900**; the exact price depends on the date, lower on weekdays and higher on holidays and weekends. Children aged 4–11 and people over 65 pay less. We took prices from guides; the official site has a price calendar for every day. An **Express Pass** is sold separately and lets you skip the general queue for selected rides — in high season it saves hours. Park hours **vary by day**: usually morning to evening, longer on holidays. Check the calendar on the site before you go. ## What to see - **Super Nintendo World** — Mario's world and Donkey Kong. - **The Wizarding World of Harry Potter** — Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. - **Minion Park** — Minion rides. - **Jurassic Park** — a water ride and coasters. - **Hollywood** — roller coasters and shows. - **The children's area** — for the youngest visitors. ## How to get to Universal Studios Japan 1. **From Osaka station** — JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishikujo, then the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City, about 15 minutes. 2. **Direct trains** — some trains from Osaka run through to Universal City without a change. 3. **From Universal City station** — about 5 minutes on foot through the CityWalk shopping street. 4. **From Namba** — metro and JR with a change, about 30 minutes. 5. **From Kansai airport** — a direct bus to the park. ## Universal Osaka or Tokyo Disneyland | | Universal Osaka | Tokyo Disneyland | | --- | --- | --- | | Highlight | Mario, Harry Potter, Minions | Classic Disney stories | | Best for | Teens and adults | Families with children | | Ticket | By date, from ≈ ¥8,400 | By date | | Time | A whole day | A whole day | ## How long do you need? Allow **a whole day** for USJ, from opening to evening. Without an Express Pass in high season you'll manage 5–7 major rides; the rest of the time goes on queues. Start with the most popular area — usually Super Nintendo World or Harry Potter. In the evening there are shows and illuminations, and Hogwarts castle glows beautifully after sunset. You can't bring food into the park, and the cafés inside are expensive and packed at lunchtime. Eat beforehand or have an early lunch, before noon. ## Is Universal Studios Japan worth visiting? Yes, if you love Mario or Harry Potter: there's hardly anywhere else with a Nintendo world like this. The YesGo take: it's an expensive day — the ticket, an Express Pass and food easily add up to ¥20,000–30,000 per person. Queues at weekends and on holidays can reach 2 hours. If you go, pick a weekday outside Japanese school holidays and buy everything in advance. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] A dated ticket — online - [ ] Express Pass in high season - [ ] The USJ app on your phone - [ ] Arrive at opening - [ ] A power bank — phones run down ## Evenings in Osaka: compare and choose Evening spots in Osaka rated by YesGo. - [Dotonbori](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/dotonbori) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free - [Universal Studios Japan](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/universal-studios-japan) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ from ¥8,400–8,900 by date - [Umeda Sky Building](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/umeda-sky-building) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥2,000 - [Tsutenkaku](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/tsutenkaku) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ ¥1,500 ## A day at Universal Universal Studios Japan all day, then the neon and street food of Dotonbori in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Universal Studios Japan](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/universal-studios-japan) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ from ¥8,400–8,900 by date 2. [Dotonbori](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/dotonbori) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free ## Good to know Universal Studios Japan is not the Universal parks in Hollywood, Orlando, Beijing or Singapore. It is also called Universal Osaka or USJ. ## Tips - Buy a dated ticket online in advance. - Download the USJ app. - Super Nintendo World needs a pass on busy days. - A weekday outside holidays has shorter queues. - In the evening: [Dotonbori](https://yesgo.io/japan/osaka/dotonbori). ## Questions ### How much is a ticket to Universal Studios Japan? Adults from roughly ¥8,400–8,900; the price depends on the date. ### What are the opening hours? They vary by day; see the calendar on the official site. ### How do I get into Super Nintendo World? On busy days with a timed e-pass in the USJ app, or with an Express Pass. ### Do I need an Express Pass? It helps a lot at weekends and on holidays; on weekdays you can manage without. ### How do I get there? JR to Universal City station, about 15 minutes from Osaka station. ### How long do you need? A whole day. ### Is it good with small children? Yes, there's a children's area; under-4s go free. ### Can I bring food? No, outside food and drink are not allowed. ## How we checked The opening year of the park and its areas is from Wikipedia. Prices, Express Pass, the e-pass and access are from 2026 guides, so they are marked 'being checked': the ticket price depends on the date, and the official calendar is the main source. The estimate of a day's spending is YesGo's. ## Sources - Official site usj.co.jp — price and hours calendar (text didn't load from the server on 09.11.2026) - English Wikipedia: Universal Studios Japan — opening, areas and their opening years - 2026 travel guides — Studio Pass prices, Express Pass, e-pass, access (unofficial) - Wikidata Q1375103 — coordinates --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.