Things To Do At The Wonderful Universal Studios Japan

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Mail
• Link

I just had a great experience in Tokyo, not only exploring the city, but also visiting Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. And yes, just like many others, I had fallen in love with the second one.It is just so different to any park but in a good way, that makes you think, wow, Disney should really bump up their experiences in the American parks, just following the example of DisneySea.

My Round The World Trip continued to my second city to visit in Japan: Osaka. There, I was going to see the wonderful Universal Studios Japan, the whole point to visit this city and include it in such a short RTW. After this, I was going to rest for a day and then travel to another theme park, this time: Hong Kong Disneyland.

From Tokyo to Osaka

For now, I needed to make it on time to get to the Tokyo Station for my Shinkansen fast train to Osaka. Fortunately, I had decided to stay in Keio Presso Inn Otemachi, a hotel located very close to the train station. The stay was comfortable enough for a short night. My train departed at 6:00 AM, the first one in the morning, so I checked out and rushed to the Tokyo Station.

The Shinkansen Hikari train leaves approximately every 30 minutes from Tokyo and arrives at Shin-Osaka station after 2 hours and 53 minutes on average. The Universal park opened at 10 AM, and the Shin-Osaka Station was a bit far from the park, so I was going to make it right after they opened.

I got some breakfast from a convenience store located at the platform and got on the train. At 6:00 AM on the dot it departed. After a few minutes we could see the majestic Mount Fuji.

It was mesmerizing. A few years back I stayed in Gotemba, a closeby town, but the weather was so terrible that I had to cancel my excursion to the mountain. Now, I was finally seeing up close. Or well, relatively close.

Race to Universal

After almost 3 hours I finally made it to Osaka. What happened next, I was not ready for. This station was the most confusing one I had ever been. The time constraint I had trying to get to the hotel to leave my suitcase, and then to the park, had my nerves off the chart, and on top of that, this station had very poor signing.

For a whoopping 45 min I wandered around with my suitcase, just looking for the train that would take me to Universal. This is a massive station with stores, restaurants, and crowds of people that would disorient even the most experienced travelers. After some time I actually decided just to take an Uber, but there were no places to go get them. Uber had specific spots for pick up very far from the station. I literally almost cry until I saw a Tourist Info spot. Thank God.

This nice lady showed me where to go to get the proper trains, and I rushed to the platform. After this, everything became so clear. If they only had more signs up showing where to get the trains that would be great. Only in the platforms they would show with big signs where the train to Universal would stop.

Finally made it to Universal Studios Japan

Anyways, I made it to Universal Studios Japan, the “City Walk” like I called it, after transferring 3 trains. But now I was happy I was finally here.

It is surreal that they have an entire area, just like in the US, dedicated to Universal, right before entering the park. A sort of Downtown Disney.

But now, I checked in and left my suitcase in the hotel. I was staying in The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan, a very cheap hotel just inside of the action. I would have to come back at 3:00 PM to get my room.

Universal Japan Express Pass

I bought my tickets on Klook, a while ago while planning this trip, and also bought the Direct-In Express ticket for the Super Nintendo World. I was so ready. This is what was included in this ticket:

After a long line for security and for scanning the tickets, I was finally inside. This was my 6th Universal park:

1. Universal Studios Florida
2. Universal’s Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort
3. Universal’s Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort
4. Universal Studios Hollywood
5. Universal Studios Singapore (just a few months ago)
6. And now, Universal Studios Japan

The only one missing, just like the Disney parks, the one located in China: Universal Beijing Resort. One day I will be able to go, after they relax all the visas and entry conditions into the country due to the pandemic.

Exploring the Park

As soon as I got in I was bombarded with many characters meets, or just walking around the park. Music blasting and color everywhere I would look to. It is a very sensorial experience for sure.

The similarities to the park in Orlando were there, they had the Hollywood and New York lands and the big esplanade in the middle.

The times were ridiculously long already, some of them being 110 min wait. WOW. With this info, and realizing it was already 10:30 AM, I decided to start from the back of the park using my Express Pass and work my way to the front.

Single Rider or Express Pass?

The first attraction I did was Jurassic Park The Ride at Universal Studios Japan. I was sad I was not able to do this one the last time I went to Orlando and the last time I went to Hollywood, just last January. But I used my express pass and I was in front of the line in no time, I could have done the Single Rider line but this one was very long as well. By the way, this is the list of the attractions with Single Riders lines at this park:

Here’s a full list of attractions at Universal Studios Japan that have Single Rider Lines:

1. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
2. JAWS
3. Hollywood Dream
4. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge (I do not think the Single Rider line was working that day)
5. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
6. The Flying Dinosaur (very useful)
7. Jurassic Park – The Ride
8. Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard

I was going to try to mix and match my Express Pass and Single Rider lines but it all depends on how the wait times were looking at any particular moment.

Fortunately I did not get too wet on that ride. I kept drinking water, like you should do in any theme park, but also I added the Gatorade Zero Powder to prevent dehidration. You can get them on Amazon, and believe me, they are live saving.

Next, I was going to do the attraction right next to it, also included in my Express Pass. I had no idea what I was about to embark…

The position of your body in this ride is incredible. It is a very thrilling roller coaster that makes you feel like you are flying literally. It woke my up even more, wow! 10/10 would recommend. I was already in love of this park. Also, the weather could not be way better. The last 2 days in Tokyo, it was cloudy and rainy, but here, the sun was out and it was way warmer.

My next stop was JAWS, a classic. I was never able to see the one in Orlando, that was replaced by Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Fans of the ride were not happy about it, but you could never compete with Harry Potter fans.

They did not allow pictures, but the effects and the whole thing was just a lot of fun, and a needed calm ride after the adrenaline inducing Flying Dinosaur.

After this third ride, I decided I needed a snack, and what better food than a Mario Bros related one.

Treats to eat

So I went to Mario Cafe & Store™ at Universal Studios Japan.

The cast members were so nice and happy to be part of the experience. It was cool to have a Super Nintendo dedicated food shop outside of the difficult to enter Super Nintendo World. I got the Pancake Sandwich Mario’s Cap Strawberry Shortcake for 700 yen, approx. 5 USD. And even though it is not the biggest treat out there, it was very filling.

It was time to use one of those Single Rider lines, this time for Hollywood Dream – The Ride at Universal Studios Japan, just next to the Mario Cafe & Store™. The line was still long but I bypassed a lot of people. When I got to the platform, it took longer because the regular line had priority, but all of the sudden they let all the single riders come at once.

This ride was electric, scary and thrilling. I would not recommend it if you suffer from motion sickness, but I had a lot of fun. There’s another version of this ride, where you are dropped backwards, but again, the lines were just so long (more than 100 min), that I decided to continue with my day after I picked up my stuff.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

My area timed entry to The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan had already passed, so I rushed there just to find that there were no check ins or anything similar. Probably the land was not as busy. The entry tho was completely different to any other park with this land, with a long path with pines and stones.

Finally made it inside Hogsmeade, and I was just so happy to be in here. It was king of weird seeing people with Mario hats in this land, but just being part of this story gives me all the serotonin (Escapism 101).

Since it was past 1:00 PM, I decided to try the Fish and Chips at Three Broomsticks, my favorite dish in any English place. I tried in Epcot in the England Pavilion, in London of course, and I was going to try it again in South Africa.

If you read this blog before, you know I am obsessed with the butterbeer as well, I get them in every opportunity, and having them in New York at the Harry Potter store is even more tempting.

The shows were showing, and before my next ride I got to see the Japanese version of the Triwizard Spirit Rally, showing the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrang abilities. The presentation had English and Japanese lines, but you could understand what was happening at all times.

It was time for my timed entry to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ ride. As always, I get lost trying to lock my stuff in the lockers but I made it and it was an exact copy and paste of the other versions. The castle seemed a little bit smaller tho, but still the entire thing was very compelling. Just be aware that this ride is very nauseating, if you have not done the ones in Orlando or Hollywood, stay ready.

When I got out of the ride I was surprised with more shows happening, including the Magical Creatures Encounter, this time the Hippogriff Magical Lesson. This show was cute and should definitely be brought to the other parks in the world.

As a snack for later in the evening, I got the Hogwarts™ Meat Pie. After eating it later that I night I was kind of upset I did not get at least another one lol. It was very good.

For me, which I have been to the Orlando park so many times, it was weird to see the Hogwarts Express and not seeing the entrance to my fave ride of all time: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

But it was nice to see this train in this land as well. Also, was kind of weird that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter did not have another exit. Whereas in other parks, you do not have to go back to the entrance you used.

More Universal Studios Japan

Anyways, I left the Harry Potter area and walked to Universal Wonderland, which is a more kid friendly option full of IP like Hello Kitty, Snoopy, and Sesame Street. Obviously I did not want to ride anything here, but I was interested in the Snoopy’s Backlot Cafe, to get some Snoopy treat filled with custard. Unfortunately, that day it was sold out.

I started walking towards the main gate to go get some coffee, and I bumped into a line for the Universal Monster Live Rock & Roll Show. I think it was luck or something but I got in and it was very fun.

The show was about 30 min and everyone but especially Dracula were really good at their renditions of the classic Universal Monsters.

My check in time at the hotel had passed, so now I could go back and relax for a bit. I saw the Pokemon Cart and definitely wanted to try one of those treats but bad news. They only were serving to whoever got a number at the beginning of the day. So now you know, if you want to eat here, get that number as soon as you get in the park.

While I was going out, even more characters were meeting guests including some of my favorites from Shrek.

Steeping out for a sec

I finally got out of the park, BUT DO NOT WORRY, I was going to come back. I just needed to get my room key, and relax a bit in my own room. After these few hours I got to do 5 main rides and a few shows including The Monsters one. But the day was not over and the main part of this park was about to present itself: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.