Tips for UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN 2024 🎢✨ Tickets, Express Passes, Wait Times (USJ Osaka)

Рет қаралды 22,033

Күн бұрын

Practical tips for Universal Studios in Japan, including how to get tickets, express passes, wait times, lockers, food and how to get into Super Nintendo World (free and paid options).
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Universal Studios Japan is just a short train ride from Osaka. Some of the park is similar to the Universal theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood, and there are some exclusive rides, including Flying Dinosaur and Hollywood Dream. Plus, the Jaws ride is still open at USJ - a treat for Jaws fans! We visited the park on a weekend at the start of March 2024 (the end of the off-season). Even so, the queues for rides and food were very long. We had express passes, which are expensive, but made it possible to do everything we wanted to in one day, when we couldn't get there early. Details about the various options for express passes are at the end of the video, plus how timed entry works and ways to get into Super Nintendo World for free. There are also details about how to get there on the train from Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka (the shinkansen station).
00:00 Arriving at USJ
01:47 Lockers
02:38 Park tour
03:51 Jaws restaurant
05:16 Park tour
09:13 Super Nintendo World
13:20 Flying Dinosaur
15:06 Harry Potter
17:00 Review
17:52 How to get tickets
18:23 Express passes
21:23 USJ vs Orlando/Hollywood
21:56 How to get there
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Пікірлер: 100

@sandrito 2 ай бұрын

This video was super helpful! Thanks a lot.

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@diamonddoom1538 22 күн бұрын

I'm going to USJ in a few hours and your well detailed video makes me feel confident in enjoying my day there. I loved the words you use, it's cool to hear different terms from other countries. Have a good Wednesday! Keep up the great work you provide for those of us who are in need of tourist information!

@cakeswithfaces 22 күн бұрын

Aww thanks so much, that's my mission accomplished then! Have an amazing day at USJ! ✨

@diamonddoom1538 22 күн бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces I got lucky because today they started a wet parade where the crowd gets sprayed with water guns and it was PERFECT for the humidity Osaka is going through

@cakeswithfaces 22 күн бұрын

@@diamonddoom1538 Perfect! That's lucky timing!!

@canciana 2 ай бұрын

Great timing, I’m in Japan right now and someone we’re visiting sprung the idea of going to USJ on us so I was a bit nervous about it. Thanks for your videos, they’ve been really helping us to decide what to prioritise while we’re here ❤

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Hope you're having an amazing time! Have a Fanta Grape for me! 🍇

@NiccoloMachiavelli777 2 күн бұрын

Good work - straight to the point guide

@cakeswithfaces 2 күн бұрын

Thanks! Always try & make my videos as useful as I can!

@Nemuimori 2 ай бұрын

The shade at San Francisco was so unexpected I had to go back and double check I heard that right 😂 hurts cause it's true, one of the things I love about Japan is how safe it is whereas in the US I carry pepper spray just walking around my neighborhood

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

It's part of what makes Japan such a pleasant place to be! San Francisco's a cool place but I wouldn't want to walk around there at night! 😅

@AlanVByrnes 2 ай бұрын

I want to go!! Thank for this always helpful video you two!! 😎😎😎

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! Japanese trains are the best!

@AlanVByrnes 2 ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces you said it always are from what I can see and tell also 🙌🙌🙌

@AlanVByrnes 2 ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces 🚂🚝🚄🚅🚈💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨

@marcovanderhorst2235 2 ай бұрын

This video helped a lot. We are going in August. Really excited for Nintendo World. Definitely gonna get an express pass for that, don’t wanna miss anything at Nintendo world!

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Enjoy Super Nintendo World and take lots of pics!

@yinkayasmin3567 2 ай бұрын

I'll be going in 2 days! Thanks for the handy tips. Also do you know if they allow the thermal drink bottles, the re-usable ones so i can bring and refill my own water?

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Ooh exciting!! They allow refillable bottles up to 500ml: www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/service-guide/rules-manners#prohibited-items:~:text=Thermoses%20and%20plastic%20bottles%20may%20be%20brought%20into%20the%20park.%20However%2C%20these%20are%20limited%20to%20one%20500%20ml%20container%20per%20person. Have a great time!!

@MzuMzu-nx1em 2 ай бұрын

1:36 ! My hallo kitty grenades are ok ! Can't live without 😆🤣🤣😂🤣🤣😆🤣😂🤣

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

😂😂

@Paolo_DLR 2 ай бұрын

Oh nice timing. We'll be at USJ in July!

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Have a wonderful time!!

@shancock28 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Amy, really useful information. I am heading to Japan, solo, for the first time in October - very excited! Your videos have been so so helpful. I am not sure whether to go to USJ, however I am a HUGE Disney fan. So I am planning to go to DisneySea. Any tips for this one?? 🥰

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

USJ had never been top of my list either, so that's why I only just went for my first time there! But I love the Disney parks too, so I've been going to them since my first trip to Japan back in 2010! Disney Sea is absolutely beautiful - the detail in the theming is on another level. I can't wait to visit Fantasy Springs - I just saw some preview videos and it looks beautiful. But it's going to be busy once that opens, because everyone wants to go, so plan carefully and check what's required for timed entry, etc. Apart from that, enjoy all the different flavours of popcorn and the exclusive rides. I love Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and Pooh's Hunny Hunt in Disney Land is so much fun!

@shancock28 2 ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces Awesome, thanks!

@Gotta_Keep_Moving_On 2 ай бұрын

Awesome! Back here in a couple of weeks. Excited to get back on the JAWS ride again as a huge JAWS fan. Have a 1.5 day pass from Klook so need to make the most of it :) Solo traveller which helps with the lines.

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

I loved the whole Jaws area - you'll have to have a Jaws roll cake for me! Have a great time!

@Gotta_Keep_Moving_On 2 ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces Done :) They are lovely! Getting myself a JAWS watch from the store. The lines are huge, I visited in November 2019...so much easier. Oh well :)

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

@@Gotta_Keep_Moving_On That'll be a great souvenir! 🦈🦈🦈

@RealNTAF Ай бұрын

As an American the dig at San Francisco hurt😢....but not wrong 😂unfortunately

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

Haha, I've been to San Francisco twice now and loved it there, but I wouldn't walk around on my own at night ..!

@RealNTAF Ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces I wouldn't recommend anyone walk around any big cities in America at night anymore. And that's really sad to say because there are some cool cities here.

@diegoensydney 2 ай бұрын

great video! I have a question - I'm going in a few weeks and I think i've bought the same Express Pass 7 that you used with timed entries, and it says on it 'Hollywood Dream' or 'Jaws' (not for timed entry for those) - does that mean I can use the express queue on only one of those? I assume that's what it means Thanks!

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

That sounds like the same pass I got! Yes, you can use it for either Hollywood Dream or Jaws, whichever you choose.

@aaronboggs730 Ай бұрын

The universal express pass 7 gets you into Nintendo world? Thank you for your video, it was really helpful!

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

Yes, that's the one I got!

@Buzpud 2 ай бұрын

How far in advance can you buy tickets? Going in February but not sure when is best to buy. Thank you for this really useful video. I think we are also going to to the express passes though it annoys me that it’s necessary to enjoy properly and not everyone has the budget.

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Tickets go on sale 2 months in advance. You don't need to buy them early, especially for February as it's still the off-season. Bt the earlier you buy them, the wider choice of express pass times you have, before they start selling out, so I'd buy them early if you know when you want to go. I agree - it's annoying about the express passes, but those lines are LONG - I couldn't believe it. 😅

@cassieNzach 2 ай бұрын

was there fireworks after and is it worth staying late for? travelling with a child. thanks for the vid. very helpful.

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! I had to leave early (I had a shinkansen to catch) but I don't think they had any fireworks at USJ at the time.

@mcconicokeelross63 18 күн бұрын

Have you done a video on all the vegetarian places at Universal Park and both of the Disney parks? Going this year and trying to figure out what we can expect to eat there

@cakeswithfaces 13 күн бұрын

My Tokyo Disney vlogs are several years old now; I know there are one or two new places since I filmed them. Unfortunately veggie options are very limited at both Disney and USJ! There are only a few options, so be prepared - thankfully they list them on their websites: - Disney: www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdr/bfree/food.html - USJ: www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/service-guide/barrier-free/dietary-restriction/plant-based-menu As well as these proper meals, there are of course also things like fries at quick service places, and all the sweet snacks and popcorn around the parks. Basically, don't expect too much!! 🙃

@mcconicokeelross63 13 күн бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces thank you!

@mustang1969uk 2 ай бұрын

Yep, I said that the photos of Super Nintendo World don’t do it justice. And looks like you had great weather for it too, just a little cold 🥶 we went last year and the rain was torrential, the grey stairs there were really slippy, but was really cool to see everyone with their Mario branded umbrellas and ponchos!

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

It's good that the umbrellas matched the theming! It was the nicest weather of the trip, but this year spring was a lot colder than the same time last year when it was t-shirt weather!

@MzuMzu-nx1em 2 ай бұрын

The oriental hotel let me speechless as original idea . 😆😂🤣🤣🤣😂😆😂🤣🤣

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

👍

@MzuMzu-nx1em 2 ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces I am happy for you having so much fun 😁

@hashimalsannaa2584 Ай бұрын

When I go there, can I select the ride I want and pay for express pass for that ride only via the application?

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

I don't think it works like that for USJ. There's a choice of Express Passes that each include combinations of multiple rides, rather than buying passes for rides individually.

@TheDelikizzz Ай бұрын

What happens if a ride on your fast pass ends up being out of service? Do they replace it with another ride?

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

I didn't try it myself, but it says here that you can use the express pass for another ride (this isn't the official site though so I can't say if it's accurate): www.headout.com/universal-studios-japan-tickets/combo-universal-express-pass-4-variety-choice-universal-studios-japan-tickets-e-19686/#:~:text=the%20Express%20Pass%20can%20be%20used%20once%20for%20another%20attraction%20that%20is%20not%20included%20in%20the%20Express%20Pass.

@dutchmangoesjapan 16 күн бұрын

As I dont want to buy the express pass (they aren't even available anymore 2 months in advance), is it possible to get into Mario World? Because that would be the only reason I want to Visit USJ

@cakeswithfaces 15 күн бұрын

There's a lottery for free timed entry passes that you can enter when you get to the park (check details of how to get one). I've also heard of lots of people who've got there early and walked straight in (but you do need to get there very early, as it often opens before the official opening time).

@Trixie0831 2 ай бұрын

As always a very informative video. But was it a mastercard that u used to pay on the usj site or a uk bank card x

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! It was a UK credit card that requires payments to be approved with an app. Not sure if that's what means it's accepted but they generally seem to be ok on Japanese sites!

@Trixie0831 2 ай бұрын

@cakeswithfaces OK I'll have to see how I get on we are goin in Oct an that's the last bit we need to book but can't till August. What time here did u book the tickets an was it on the day they came available x

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

@@Trixie0831 I booked about a month before we went, as I hadn't originally planned to go but we decided to go for it as we had that day free. USJ isn't somewhere you need to book the minute it goes on sale - for example, today you can still book tickets for tomorrow. But if you book earlier you have a wider choice of express passes before they sell out. And if you know you definitely want to go, you might as well get them booked. 🙂

@Trixie0831 2 ай бұрын

@cakeswithfaces it's the express passes that I wanna make sure that we get the times we want as we r goin for 2 days in the park x

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

@@Trixie0831 There's certainly a huge choice of times to choose from!

@craigj4979 Ай бұрын

did you find you needed cash or was paying by card for food trains ect ok?

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

At Universal everywhere takes cards (apart from the vending machines), but in Japan generally you do need some cash as not everywhere takes cards.

@iandegeyter8086 16 күн бұрын

Hi, i want to buy the express pass 7 but the website states that every express pass for the coming months is out of stock and that the stock will be announced in the near future. Does that mean that I also need to wait to buy the entry tickets because I'm a little anxious on missing out. Since our group really want to get into Nintendo world, we don't really know how to be sure we will get the chance to buy the pass. Thanks in advance!

@cakeswithfaces 14 күн бұрын

It was a similar situation last month - I had a few comments from people who wanted to buy an express pass but they were unavailable for a while. I'm guessing they're making some changes/calculations about capacity because of new/changed attractions or events? (Just my guess!). I'd keep an eye on it and keep checking back for when they become available again. I haven't tried it myself, as I bought the park ticket and express pass together, but going through the process on the ticket site, it seems possible to purchase just an express pass at a later date by clicking "next step" without selecting a park ticket. I didn't check it all the way through to payment though so I'm not 100% sure! I'd keep an eye on ticket availability for your dates to see if they're likely to sell out, and hopefully express passes will become available again.

@iandegeyter8086 10 күн бұрын

@@cakeswithfacesthank you so much! I’ll keep looking everyday

@smyth339 Ай бұрын

Hey :) thanks for helpful video! Just wanted to check I went onto klook to book the express pass 7 as well but it said dont at the end that i needed to purchase a universal entry ticket as well as this express pass ticket. Is this correct? When i go onto the offical ticket site it says "disabled" when i try buy tickets

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

Yes, you need to purchase an entry ticket and an express pass. If it says "disabled" on the official site, it's probably because there's a ticket already in your basket.

@smyth339 Ай бұрын

Thanks :) the only thing is when i go to buy the entry ticket and have that in my basket then the express passes it says i cant because there is already one in my cart...im so confused! How can i buy an entry ticket and express pass if it only allows one ticket in the basket?

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

@@smyth339 I'd empty everything out of your basket, make sure it's empty then start again! The website can be a bit picky.

@smyth339 Ай бұрын

@cakeswithfaces i think I'm just confused because if I'm meant to buy an entry admission ticket and an express pass can't i do that at the same time?

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

@@smyth339 Yes, you can buy them in the same transaction. Just start again, empty everything out of your basket. The entry ticket and express pass have to be for the same day, or it won't let you buy it.

@MrSamuraispirit 2 ай бұрын

Although I'm Japanese, I've never been to USJ and Disneyland😂

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

It's always the way with tourist attractions in your own country!! 😂

@GodAtum Ай бұрын

went on 28th May. Unfortunately most rides closed because of heavy rain. Entrance queue was about 20 mins. Made straight for Jaws, no queue. Mario Strawberry shortcake was delicious. Super Nintendo World - 15 mins queue. Mario Kart - 30 mins queue even with express pass. Yoshi - about 10 mins queue. Cafe - 40 mins queue. Food, especially dessert was decent for a theme park. Waterworld show cancelled all day. Hippogriff closed. Forbidden Journey was fun but got motion sick (20 mins queue). Tried butter beer and macaroni cheese after queuing at Three Broomsticks for 30 mins. Beer was very maple syrupy. Problem with restaurant there was no seats. So had to wait while my food was getting cold to get a seat. Got a wand.

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

Forbidden Journey gives me motion sickness too, it's the only ride that does! Did you have an express pass for all those rides? It's unfortunate when you have to book in advance, before you know the weather forecast, but you have to make the best of it!

@GodAtum Ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces yes i had the top tier express pass for all those rides. Best bit was the Mario Strawberry shortcake!

@kerri-annkumar5752 2 ай бұрын

How did you manage to purchase direct? I’m guessing you prepared your credit card somehow?

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Japanese websites are very specific about security requirements. The card I used was a UK card that has an app to approve payments. Amex often works too.

@Joanna-dl7me 2 ай бұрын

Can you get into the Harry Potter World and Nintendo World without an express pass?

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

When I was there, yes - it says you need timed entry (which I think you can apply for if you don't have a pass) but when I was there it was just open, they weren't enforcing it. I heard that's often the case. The express pass included the rides there too; without it, the queues are very long.

@AndrewAbroadTravel 2 ай бұрын

30,000 yen for 1 day. That really seems expensive. Do they check for selfie sticks? How long did it take you to get into USJ at 1030 am?

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

The park admission ticket's pretty reasonable, but yes, when you add on the cost of the express pass, it does make it an expensive day. The sign says selfie sticks aren't allowed, so I think if you used one, the staff would ask you to put it away. 10:30 is quite late to get there, so it didn't take long to get in at all. It looks like there are a lot of people at the gates, but it's made up of a row of queues and moved along pretty quickly.

@Omni0404 2 ай бұрын

12:25 I cannot stop laughing at the background music playing while you're trying to explain everything I'm' surprised this didn't get a copyright strike! 18:54 I'm sorry I feel dense... but when it says you can use it once at 7 different attractions, does that mean you can use it one time at ALL 7? Or can you only pick 1 out of the 7 to use it on?

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Thank goodness I didn't get a copyright strike! 😅 The music really adds to the atmosphere there. You can use the pass once on each of the 7 attractions. For a couple of them you pick one of two (eg Hollywood Dream or Jaws). Some are timed and some you can go on whenever you want.

@av110386 2 ай бұрын

7:00 dang San Francisco taking shots

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

I loved the city but wouldn't walk around there on my own!

@AJ-ly8si Ай бұрын

I'm going to universal studios Japan in 2 weeks and I am going on flying dinosaur and I am so fucking scared. Any advice for a scardey cat who isn't great with rollercoasters?

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

It's an intense ride! Try not to get too freaked out by the build-up when you have to go through the metal detectors and checks for loose items (it feels like you're about to enter a dinosaur pen!). It can help to tense your stomach muscles when there are drops. Good luck and try and enjoy it!

@AJ-ly8si Ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces the main part I am scared of is the pretzel loop. How bad is it? Thanks!

@cakeswithfaces Ай бұрын

@@AJ-ly8si Honestly there are so many twists and turns you won't know which bit is which! The bit I found most scary was at the start when you're going up slowly (the anticipation!).

@yllanesartscrafts5287 2 ай бұрын

Can I bring tripod there?

@cakeswithfaces 2 ай бұрын

Sorry, the sign at the entrance says no tripods allowed.

@yllanesartscrafts5287 2 ай бұрын

@@cakeswithfaces what can you recommend to bring? I'm a solo traveler, I wanna capture whole body photos. How about those compact tripods? Small only. What do you think?