We’ve just experienced a 5 hour VIP tour at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) – here is our VIP Tour review from start to finish, with lots of handy tips along the way!

First things first…

Before we get to our minute-by-minute 5 Hour VIP Tour itinerary, here are some need-to-know things about the USJ VIP 5 Hour Tour.

Arrive early – around 7:30am to 8am – if you want to use your VIP day to maximum effect and fit in as much as you can. This will allow you enough time to pass through security when it opens and go straight to the Universal Studios Japan VIP Entrance. There you will wait for (the usually early) opening time.

Arrive at least an hour before your VIP Tour starts – if you want to arrive as late as possible. This will give you time to clear security and get checked in at the VIP entrance, then walk to the VIP Lounge to have a free drink or two and meet your Tour Guide. I wouldn’t recommend leaving your arrival too late – you will be able to get your unlimited ride bracelet as soon you enter and start using it straight away. Very few people say they had too much time at USJ!

What is the VIP Tour entrance?

To the left of the main turnstile gates at the theme park entrance, you’ll find a special VIP entrance – complete with a red carpet. It’s here you’ll be met and checked in. You will have your Studio Passes and VIP Tour code checked. Then you will be supplied with your VIP bracelets (or express passes if you are on a 3hr VIP) for the day. You won’t meet your guide until your Tour meet up time at the VIP Lounge.

What can I do with my unlimited ride VIP bracelet?

Every person on your 5hr VIP Tour will be given a VIP bracelet as soon as you check in to the park. VIP bracelets are great, because they act as an unlimited ride Express Pass when you are not on tour with your VIP Tour guide. They allow you to enter the Express priority laneway of any ride at Universal Studios Japan and be expedited at some shows too. In addition, you can skip the queue into Super Nintendo World anytime you like without any Timed Entry slot.

Unlimited access includes Super Nintendo World entry

A mere flash of our VIP bracelets allowed us to skip the queue at every ride we wanted before and after our VIP Tour, and like the name says you can ride as many times as you like.

You can’t get an unlimited ride pass with unlimited Super Nintendo World access any other way than a private VIP Tour. We definitely felt like VIPs with our VIP bracelets!

What’s the difference between Express Pass and private VIP pass?

Before our tour using our unlimited VIP bands we accessed the same Express Laneway as Express Pass holders do. The big difference is that Express ride passes usually only allow one ride (and one Super Nintendo World entry with some) each.

We could use the Express Laneway on the same ride multiple times if we wanted to, and we had multiple entry into SNW.

Using the Express lane always involves a short wait, relative to the time and ride. Wait times can vary anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes or more if it’s a busy period, following a ride break-down or a very popular ride like Donkey Kong Minecart Madness.

Your VIP Tour Guide takes you right to the front of rides

During our private VIP Tour our Tour Guide personally took us to the very front of each ride. He did this a variety of clever ways! Often it was via the ride exit or even back ways and hidden passages, such as in Bowser’s Castle in Super Nintendo World, or Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Two exclusive VIP buildings

The USJ VIP Lounge

You will have access to the USJ VIP Lounge all day which includes complimentary hot and cold drinks and secure bag and shopping storage via lockers.

The USJ VIP Lounge will be where you first meet your Tour Guide to discuss your day. Even though you submit a form with your VIP purchase, you can still add or subtract activities if you like.

The Luminant VIP Restaurant

The Luminant VIP Private Lounge and Dining restaurant is where you’ll enjoy your buffet lunch or buffet-a la carte dinner. Your guide isn’t with you during your meal and your lunch or dinner (whichever you choose for your VIP Tour) is scheduled outside of your VIP Tour time.

The VIP restaurant overlooks the Universal Studios Japan Lake and is a lovely space to enjoy a meal. There’s plenty of great options with kid-friendly foods, including lots of themed snacks you would normally pay for in the park. There’s also a small bar with some standard alcoholic drinks included such as beer, wine, whiskey and sake.

Our Universal Studios Japan 5hr VIP day

For a rough idea of how you can shape your 5 hour VIP Tour at USJ, here’s our own blow-by-blow diary/ itinerary which was pretty-much completely unplanned. Our strategy was no strategy at all, other than riding the Flying Dinosaur and hopeful most of the other major rides too. What followed was a gloriously self-indulgent romp through the park which we all loved to pieces! (For privacy I am not naming our Tour Guide).

USJ 5 Hour VIP Tour Itinerary

Date of VIP Tour: 01/05/2026
Number of people: 3
Price of USJ tickets: 2,325.62 AUD (for up to 4 people, purchased 19/03/25)
3 x USJ 5hr VIP
3 x Studio Passes

What we did before our 5 Hour VIP Tour started

9am – Checked out of Hotel Kintetsu Universal City. Left our luggage there for the day
9:06am – Enter under the USJ theme park Archway – grab some photos at the globe
9:11am – Get processed through USJ security – bags and body scans
9:16am – Arrive at the VIP Entrance queue – there is approximately 12 people/3 groups in front of us. We are immediately welcomed in the queue and our Studio Passes and VIP Tour QR codes are checked in line.
9:25am – We enter the VIP Entrance reception & are assigned a reception staff member to welcome us, check us in and give us our unlimited ride bracelets. The staff member asks about any disabilities and if a wheel chair is required. He lets us know what time our lunch is and shows us where the VIP restaurant is located in the park. As we already knew in advance, our lunch time is confirmed as 12 midday to 1:30pm and our VIP tour commences at 2pm from the VIP Lounge.
9:36am – We enter the park and decide to go straight to the VIP Lounge to take a look and have a drink.
9:40am – We locate the VIP Lounge and are welcomed in. At the VIP Lounge there are several families with their tour guides or having a drink at the tables. There is free tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soft drinks and water.
10:10am – We leave the VIP Lounge to spend time in the park until our VIP Lunchtime. We meet and get some character photos with Felix the Cat, Cookie Monster and some other Sesame Street characters. We look through a few stores and do some shopping and stop for a special Mario Brothers themed pancake breakfast.
11:00am – We enter the family-friendly Wonderland Area to explore and do some rides. We look around Snoopy Studios and use our ride bands to use the priority queue to ride Snoopy’s Flying Ace Adventure roller coaster and The Flying Snoopy. We wait about 10 minutes for each ride. The regular stand by queue waiting times are 30 minutes.
11:55am – We leave Wonderland to head across the park for lunch.

VIP Lunch at the Luminant VIP Private Lounge and Dining Restaurant

12:05am – We enter the Luminant VIP Private Lounge and Dining Restaurant. Lunch is a buffet selection of basics like pizza and rice to elegant seafood cocktails and fancy desserts and snacks. Drinks are readily served with attentive serving staff almost outnumbering diners. Alcoholic drinks are included and served from a small bar.
1:08pm – We leave the Luminant restaurant to do a ride or two before our tour at 2pm.
1:12pm – We enter Minion Park to do some shopping and use our unlimited ride wristbands to access the Express queue to ride Despicable Me Minion Mahem. We enter the pre-show area of the ride in 5 minutes.
1:52pm – We leave Minion Park to go to the VIP Lounge to meet our Five Hour VIP Tour Guide

Our 5 hour VIP Tour Starts

1:59pm – We arrive back at the VIP Lounge and are met by our Tour Guide. We grab a free drink and all sit down around a table to discuss what we would like to do most on tour. We can basically choose what we do, when we want to do it and however many times we would like! The form I filled out with our preferences has also been printed out.
As it was a rainy day, we discuss how roller coasters could present a challenge as they are closed on-and-off during showers of rain, but our Guide was ready to work with us to help us ride the Flying Dinosaur and other major rides wherever possible.
We are given VIP lanyards to wear during the Tour and a free wet-weather poncho each for rain or the Jurassic Ride. Because the Donkey Kong ride “Mine Cart Madness” is closed for unscheduled maintenance, we are also given one bonus free Express Lane ride pass each for use at a later date.
2:15pm – We leave the VIP Lounge with our Tour Guide to go to our first ride of choice. Our Guide suggests the nearby Space Fantasy The Ride which has a Club Zedd Remix overlay theme. When we arrive the Tour Guide takes us through a chained off area to experience the pre-show, and then walks us right to the head of the ride queue to board the ride. We love the ride and ask if we can do it again – one of us chooses to wait it out with the Tour Guide as we once again skip the ride queue and ride Space Fantasy The Ride one more time before moving on.
2:48pm – We leave Space Fantasy The Ride to go over to the Hollywood Dream Coaster.
2:52pm – We enter the Hollywood Dream Coaster with our Tour Guide, using the exit to go straight to the boarding area. The ride is experiencing a breakdown. We can see all the people who have queued for over an hour waiting it out but our Guide says we can pop back later and whips us back out the exit and on to our next closest choice – the Flying Dinosaur.
3:00pm – We start to walk over to the Jurassic Park area to ride the Flying Dinosaur.
3:05pm – We arrive at the Jurassic Park area.
3:10pm – We arrive at the Flying Dinosaur and stow our bags in the free lockers. We take an elevator straight up to the boarding area, entering directly onto the platform the opposite direction to everyone else. We really are saving a lot of time with these shortcuts! Every ride operator allows our Tour Guide to go where he likes with us and we are given whatever seat we like on each ride.
3:30pm – As it is now raining the ride stops operating. We wait a little while. Eventually we agree to give up and our Tour Guide takes us back down the elevator to go to another ride. I feel bad for the other people who have been queuing for an hour and now can’t ride the Flying Dinosaur!
3:35pm – We head for Jurassic Park The Ride
3:41pm – After stowing our bags in free lockers we are taken straight to the front of the queue to board the next Jurassic Park The Ride. We put our waterproof ponchos on as this is a splash ride. Our Tour Guide gives us a ride tip – sit on the 3rd row to avoid getting wet! We choose to do the ride sitting in row 3 and barely get splashed! At the end of the ride our Tour Guide is waiting. He doesn’t do any rides with us but surprises us with some photos of us he took of us on the ride! We ask him to take more photos and videos of us throughout the tour and he happily obliges.
4:00pm – We leave the Jurassic Park area and walk over to the Harry Potter area, THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
4:13pm – We arrive at THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER.
4:16pm – We arrive at and ride the Flight of the Hippogriff. There is a 40 minute wait time but we enter via the exit and board straight away. We choose the front cars to sit in. The front car is the one you want if you are tall, by the way so ask for it!
4:31pm – We arrive at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride and store our bags in the locker. Our Guide bypasses the entire standby queue with us via the Express Pass priority lane and we arrive near the boarding area. Our wait time to board was 5 minutes.
4:52pm – We leave the Harry Potter area and head for Super Nintendo World
5:00pm – We enter the walkway leading to Super Nintendo World
5:02pm – We arrive at the entrance to Super Nintendo World and are taken to the front of the queue for a Super Star Plaza Photo Opportunity which is a professional photo of us popping out of the green Super Mario Game (warp pipe) tubes. Our guide videos and takes photos on my phone, and I purchase two professional printed and digital photos on the spot for 2,200 jpy (almost all professional photos are included with an 8 hour VIP Tour)
5:13pm – Right before we enter Super Nintendo World we check the app and see that the Flying Dinosaur ride has now re-opened and we ask the Guide if we can quickly return to the Jurassic Park area to try and ride it. He is unflappable and helps us to get there as quickly as possible as rain is an ever-present threat.
5:16pm – We re-enter the Jurassic Park area
5:22pm – We arrive back at the Flying Dinosaur ride. There is already a new standby queue of 20 minutes and Single Rider 15 minutes but our Guide takes us straight up to the boarding platform again and onto the next ride. We choose the front row and have a thrilling ride! I choose to ride one more time and the girls wait down with the Guide – climbing the first hill face down is full-on!
5:48pm – We leave Jurassic Park return to Super Nintendo World.
5:51pm – We enter Super Nintendo World. There we play some games with our Power-Up wrist bands (available for purchase in SNW).
6:01pm – We arrive at the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™ ride, having skipped the main queue by taking hidden passages through Bowser’s Castle to reach the ride boarding area. Our Guide gives us our special visors to wear during the ride and we are immediately loaded into a Kart carriage. Because we have done almost all of the rides before on previous trips we have no interest in the pre-show areas, but you can ask your Guide to let you also do them if you wish.
6:20pm – We finish the ride and leave Bowser’s Castle and Super Nintendo World, walking past a Princess Peach photo opportunity with a long queue*.
*Only 8 hour VIP Tours can skip major character queues, we would have to line up on our 5 hour VIP Tour. This rule doesn’t count for non-character photos like the SNW entrance warp pipes and the Jaws shark photo opportunity.
6:38pm – After a quick discussion we opt to hurry back to Jurassic Park to fit in one last go on the Jurassic Park ride. It’s quiet enough so that we can have a whole boat to ourselves with some quick placement by our Guide and the ride attendant! We sit in the front row without ponchos on and all vow to plunge down the final drop arms-up at the end. Our Guide is ready to film this hilarious moment! But time is getting short now and we decide to make our last VIP Tour ride the Jaws ride!
6:49pm – We follow our Tour Guide into the Jaws ride through the exit and he puts us into the front row as requested. It’s getting dark now which makes the Jaws ride even more fun. This is the only standalone Jaws ride left in the world!
7:00pm – We get off the Jaws ride and skip the queue on the Jaws Shark photo opportunity out the front. As well as the professional photographer taking our photo our Guide takes our photo on our phone too. We don’t buy the professional photo of this one, opting for our phone version.
7:01pm -0ur VIP five hour tour is over! We thank our Guide profusely and bid him goodbye. We don’t want to return to the VIP Lounge with him just yet. We want to use our unlimited ride bands some more, heading into the Wonderland Sesame Street area. These rides are slated to be removed soon so we take the opportunity to check them out.
7:41pm – We leave Wonderland, pick up our bags from the VIP Lounge and go shopping in the big main gift stores near the main park entrance. The park closes at 8pm!
8:00pm – Park close time. We leave Universal Studios Japan to pick up our luggage at the Kintetsu Hotel and walk down to the Hotel Universal Port where we are staying that night. Absolute best day ever!

Our Universal Studios Japan strategy for this visit didn’t end there…

Something to keep in mind is that I do take up extra time collecting content for guides like this one – so you may well be able to pack more into your day than we do!

We bought tickets for a second day

We had decided to take advantage of our VIP Day to do as many rides as we could because we would have our unlimited ride bands which save hours of waiting time. We decided not to waste our time on long shows which weren’t hard to queue for. Therefore we bought entry tickets the next day for extra time to do some shows including JUJUTSU KAISEN: The Real 4-D and Detective Conan 4-D Live Show and do a couple of rides we had missed like the Hollywood Dream Backdrop coaster – plus a little more shopping and snacks! Sometimes it’s nice to have some extra theme park time to just soak up the atmosphere.

I hope you found this review helpful in your Universal Studios Japan research! Some other VIP guides you may find useful are:

Universal Studios Japan VIP Pass & Tour Beginners Guide – an ultimate guide to USJ VIP Tours

USJ Express Pass versus VIP Tours Comparison Table – to see the differences between Express Passes and VIP Tours side-by-side.

Get your free Wise travel money card!

Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

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Watch an Instagram reel of our five hour VIP day!

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

Where should I buy my Studio Passes?

I recommend using Klook to buy your USJ Studio Passes. Klook is the most trustworthy, easiest official seller of USJ VIP Tours and all USJ tickets.

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 80k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

The LETSGOMUM family attended this VIP Tour as partially sponsored guests of KKDay. As always, all opinions are our own.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of August 2026 – always check with the source websites for the most recent prices.

The post Universal Studios Japan VIP 5 Hour Tour Review appeared first on Let's go Mum.

It’s that time of year again – Universal Studios Japan famous Halloween Horror Nights are upon us – for some this is a time of great excitement and anticipation. For other – not so much. With the scary zombies coming out to play, here’s everything you need to know to join in – or avoid them!

What is Universal Studios Japan HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS?

Halloween Horror Nights is the Universal Studios Japan Halloween event which turns the park into a spooky Halloween experience like no other! Enjoy random zombies, scary street and stage shows, horror house mazes and frightening ride overlays throughout the park.

When is USJ Halloween Horror Nights 2026?

USJ Halloween Horror Nights runs from September 11th to November 8th, 2026

What time does Halloween Horror Nights start?

Halloween Horror Nights is an extra event period which covers elements and certain areas of the Universal Studios Japan theme park, with horror actors and shows appearing on the streets from 6pm each night.

What is the Halloween Horror Nights age recommendation?

The park operates and is open to all as normal up until 6pm, but after 6pm Halloween Horror Nights goes into full swing and the USJ “zombies” (actors dressed up to look and behave like scary Zombies) come out to wander many areas of the theme park. Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for children 5 and under and parental discretion is advised for kids aged 12 and under.
The pay attraction Halloween attraction Lights Out: Nightmare Isolation is age restricted to 18 years and older.

Are there any safe zones in USJ during Halloween Horror Nights?

Whilst two roller coasters and one 4D Theatre will feature Halloween themes the rest of the park will operate as normal up until 6pm each night during the Halloween Horror Nights event period.

From 6pm only the family-friendly Wonderland attractions area will be Halloween theme and zombie-free, with a connected safe passageway free of scary themes all the way to the exit.

How can we leave USJ after 6pm without seeing zombies?

You can use the safe zombie-free laneway from the Wonderland children’s area. Here is the official map to follow so that the kids don’t get frightened by zombies at USJ after 6pm. The blue area remains unaffected by Halloween Horror Nights all day and night right up until closing time.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Official Zombie Map

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What Universal Studios Japan ticket do I need to enter?

For admission into Universal Studios Japan, all members of your party aged 4 and over need a Studio Pass entrance ticket. You’ll need to purchase your Studio Passes online prior to your visit, as you are not able to buy USJ tickets at the gate.

I recommend using Klook to buy USJ Studio Passes, as they are an official USJ ticket seller. Klook issue the correct entry dates and readily accept major international credit cards. Buy your official Studio Passes from Klook here.

Halloween Horror Nights special attractions

What USJ rides have a Halloween overlay?

During the Halloween Horror Nights period the following standard rides & attractions included in your standard USJ admission will feature Halloween theming:

Hollywood Dream Coaster

From September 11th to November 8th, both the standard forwards and Backdrop backwards versions of the Hollywood Dream roller coaster will have a spooky music make-over with a varied range of Japanese Halloween Music.

Space Fantasy – The Ride

From September 11th right up until January the 4th 2027, Space Fantasy the ride will be overlayed with the new SADAKO’S CURSE: DARK HORROR RIDE. Parental supervision is recommended as this ride will feature frightening themes.

Cinema 4D Theatre

From September 11th to November 8th the Cinema 4D Theatre will be performing a new theatre show Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D. This show’s storyline – a horror movie featuring Smiley the Pumpkin – has scary themes including zombies and splattering “blood” effects, so not recommended for the under-5s and parental discretion is advised for 12yrs and under.

Smiley’s Happy Halloween Meet and Greet

Outside of the Cinema 4-D Theatre you can also meet Smiley, the star of Halloween Horror Nights. He will be located near the Cinema 4-D Theater.

USJ Halloween Horror Nights Stage Shows

Gramercy Park – Halloween Horror Nights Academy: 15 Years of Screams
A scary dance party with a school zombies theme!
Age suitability: Not recommended for 5yrs and under. Parental discretion is advised for 12yrs and under children.
Period: Sept. 11 – Nov. 8, 2026
Schedule: posted day by day

USJ Halloween Horror Nights Street Shows

Street Zombies
From 6pm a Zombie horde will gradually converge on the streets.
This involves scarily outfitted and behaving actors dressed in confronting Halloween costumes.
Age suitability: Not recommended for 5yrs and under. Parental discretion is advised for 12yrs and under children.
Period: Sept. 11 – Nov. 8, 2026
Schedule: from 6pm each day

ZOMBIE de DANCE street show
A dancing zombies show with scary themes
Age suitability: Not recommended for 5yrs and under. Parental discretion is advised for 12yrs and under children.
Period: Sept. 11 – Nov. 8, 2026
Schedule: from 6pm each day

USJ Halloween Horror Nights Horror Houses

Lights Out: Nightmare Isolation
The 1st 18 years R-rated restricted attraction in Halloween Horror Nights history.
Rated intense and conducted in Japanese language only with a signed waiver required.
Location: Stage 18
Exclusive show ticket – fee required
Age suitability: Strictly 18 years and over – signed waiver required for all guests attending
Period: Sept. 11 – Nov. 8, 2026
Schedule: from 10am until the park closes
Note – lockers provided for bags

Resident Evil Requiem: The Dive

The Resident Evil Requiem hit game comes to life in person – you become the stalked!
Location: Stage 18
Timed entry ticket required, available on the official USJ app.
Express Pass valid
Age suitability: Strictly 14 years and under are not permitted.
Period: Sept. 11 – December 27th 2026
Schedule: from 10am until the park closes
Note – your phone may get wet so secure it first!

Factory of Fear: Zombie Tour
Step inside the Factory of Fear where you will be trapped in a slaughterhouse surrounded by zombies! Find the hand-scanner to escape.
Location: Stage 22
Timed entry ticket required on busy days, available on the official USJ app.
Age suitability: Strictly 14 years and under are not permitted.
Period: Sept. 11 – Nov. 8, 2026
Schedule: from 10am until the park closes

KATE PRESENTS – Witches of House 18: Bewitching Mansion of Emotion

A spooky Mansion house of mirrors is waiting for you to show four witches your emotions – makeup use included!
Location: Stage 18
Timed entry ticket required on busy days, available on the official USJ app
Age suitability: Strictly 12 years and under are not permitted – child switch is available for this attraction
Period: Sept. 11 – Nov. 8, 2026
Schedule: from 9am until the park closes

Are you allowed to dress up in Halloween costumes for Halloween Horror Nights?

Whilst Halloween “bounding” or mild theming is acceptable such as a themed t-shirt or traditional Halloween colours, full Halloween costumes are not allowed to be worn. This is so that park guests can easily identify USJ scare actors wandering the park. Theme park guests are not permitted to wear anything frightening including Halloween costumes, face paint and anything which obscures the face like Halloween masks.

I’m neurodiverse or sensitive – what effects are used in Halloween Horror Nights?

For autistic, epileptic and any other guests sensitive to over stimulation and/or amplified conditions, loud noises, liquid, powder, fog and strobe lights may be used during Halloween Horror Nights along the main thoroughfares and inside the rides and shows. Physical touching by – or of – USJ actors and other staff is not permitted.

What time does USJ open?

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) official opening time is between 8am-9am as you will see on the official opening hours website page however the opening time can be unofficially much earlier. Read about USJ opening hours here.

Halloween Horror Nights opens at 6pm.

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

I hope this guide has helped you to understand how the Universal Studios Japan Halloween Horror Nights event works. I’d love to hear about if you have experienced Halloween Horror Nights, or if you have any questions about the event in the comments below!

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 80k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of August 2026 – always check with the source websites for the most recent prices.

The post Halloween Horror Nights 2026 guide for overseas visitors appeared first on Let's go Mum.

But exactly how early – is early enough? Or what if you want to miss out on queuing to get in altogether? I’ve been studying the queueing movements of USJ for a few years now, so let me share with you exactly how the USJ queueing system works!

Why should I go early to Universal Japan?

The most popular reason for arriving early at USJ is getting into Super Nintendo World without a Timed Entry. Super Nintendo World normally requires a Timed Entry to get inside, however right after early opening time it has free entry for around 20 minutes. So you can walk there quickly to enter without a pass to get in. Even if you don’t make it in time there are always free Timed Entries available to book on the app first thing in the morning, even on the busiest day.

If you decide to avoid the Super Nintendo World crowds and head to other areas in the park you can benefit from very short queues in the first half hour or so – because everyone is rushing to Super Nintendo World! The Flying Dinosaur, Minions Land and Harry Potter areas are all much less busy than they will be just an hour or two later.

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Either way, because you’ve arrived at USJ early you’ll get much more out of your day because you can fit so much more in.

First things first…

What Universal Studios Japan ticket do I need?

To get into Universal Studios Japan, everyone needs a Studio Pass entrance ticket. You need to buy your USJ Studio Passes online before you arrive as you can’t buy tickets at the gate. I recommend Klook, as they are an official USJ ticket seller who get your dates right and easily accept most foreign credit cards. Buy your official Studio Passes from Klook here.

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) official opening time is between 8am-9am as you will see on the official opening hours website page. But official or not, the actual opening time can be very different to the published opening time!

Does Universal Japan open early?

Yes, USJ almost always opens significantly earlier than the advertised opening hours. This catches many visiting tourists out.

How do I find out what time USJ really opens?

There is no way to know the exact opening time of USJ. Even if you know the previous day’s opening time. Even if you ask Guest Services. They are just as clueless as everyone else – the timing appears to be random from an outsider’s perspective.

How early does USJ open?

Chances are, USJ opens around half an hour earlier than the official opening time. It can be as early as 45 minutes or as late as 10 minutes before. One thing is for sure – by the official opening time Universal Studios Osaka is already open and operating. So, if you arrive on time – you’re already late!

How does the USJ theme park queue work?

There are two queues to navigate to enter Universal Japan. First the security gates line, and then the main entrance gates queueing area.

Until Security opens and start to process people, the first queue will start to form at the security gates early – from around 6:30am, slowly extending back towards Universal City. After Security opens, people are processed through security and are then sent along a path to the second queue at the main entrance gate, a short walk away.

What is the earliest time I should arrive at USJ?

If you want to rope drop, or be close to the front of the gates at USJ opening time the best thing to do is arrive at least before 7am. This is when most early rising locals start to arrive and begin to form a queue at the USJ Security entrance. If you are attending on a very busy day such as a weekend or Golden Week you should arrive perhaps another half hour earlier.

How can I get to Universal Studios Osaka early?

Trains to the Universal City Station via Nishikujo are your cheapest option. Taxis are the most convenient form of transport to USJ, however the best strategy is to stay in one of the Universal City hotels. That way you can just stroll up to the queue with very little effort, because you’re already right near the gates. If you book a park view room at the Park Front Hotel or Kintetsu Hotel you can even watch how quickly the queue is forming from your hotel window!

What time do the USJ Security Gates open?

Security opens early, roughly around 30-45 minutes before the park opens. This allows people to be processed through Security and then move down to the main entrance gates to queue again. If you have a VIP Tour booked it’s at this point you can go to the VIP entrance.

What happens at Security?

Everyone going to USJ must pass through the security check gates. It’s a very similar process to an airport, with bag scans and searches, and personal body scanners.

Can I take food into Universal Japan?

You can carry water bottles out of your bag and through security with you. Strictly speaking food is only allowed to be brought in to USJ for babies or for special dietary needs. That said, often little interest is shown in finding and confiscating food in bags. It’s the luck of the draw.

Are tripods or selfie sticks allowed in USJ?

If security locate any photographic items such as a tripod or selfie stick you will be asked not to use or extend them, but you will be allowed to keep them with you. Professional type SLR or mirrorless cameras are also permitted in Japanese theme parks.

After you pass through Security you can walk along to the entrance gates queue.

Where is the USJ VIP entrance?

The Universal Studios Japan VIP entrance is located past the main entrance gates. It really stands out with its staff standing at the door and a red carpet leading up to it! You must pass through Security first, before going to the VIP entrance.

Do VIPs get earlier entry than everyone else?

No, VIPs gain access to the theme park at the same time the main gates open to all the other guests. If you queue early for USJ, you will also be waiting in a short queue at the VIP entrance until the gates open.

Can I skip the security queue if I have a VIP Tour?

No, not without extenuating circumstances. If you are running late for your VIP Tour you can approach staff to ask them to expedite your Security processing. Under normal circumstances VIP Tour participants are expected to queue for Security with the other park guests. You can however skip the main entrance queue in the morning by using the special VIP Entrance area after Security.

Will there be pushing and shoving in the queue?

Whilst the Security area queues are formed lines, the queues at the entrance gates to Universal Studios Osaka are often more of a large group mass. Although people are stood close together Japanese queues rarely push or shove and respect personal space. Staff also monitor and help to direct the queue distribution areas to prevent overcrowding.

When the gates open you may find yourself shoulder to shoulder with other guests as you shuffle towards the gates for your ticket to be scanned, but it’s nothing to worry about. It’s just the general excitement and eagerness to get into the park and go have fun!

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

Can I enter late to skip the queue into Universal Japan?

Yes, if you enter USJ later you will miss most of the opening time queue. There is almost always some amount of queueing to get into Universal Studios Japan, however if you enter around half an hour to an hour after opening time the queues for both Security and the entrance gates will be much reduced, possibly even gone altogether.

Are weekends busy at Universal Studios Osaka?

Yes, it’s almost always busy at USJ, but the weekends are especially so, as Japanese locals enjoy spending their time off at theme parks.

The size of the USJ queue all depends on how busy the day is. Rule of thumb is if you are visiting on a weekend or public holiday, it’s going to be very busy so prepare for at least a five to ten minute wait even if you enter well after opening time.

I hope this guide has helped you to understand how the Universal Studios Japan entrance queues work. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 80k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of June 2026 – always check with the source websites for the most recent prices.

The post Universal Studios Japan queue beginner’s guide appeared first on Let's go Mum.

Universal Studios Japan is such a fun theme park to visit, but the ticketing system can be…well….confusing to say the least! Here’s my quick guide to help you buy the best tickets for your Universal Studios Japan (USJ) visit.

When do USJ tickets go on sale?

Theoretically, all USJ passes should become available for sale at the same time. The reality can be different.

USJ ticket releases can vary from day to day and month to month. All we can do is read the official announcements, be ready to buy when they say – but don’t assume anything!

At this time – May 2026 – tickets release one day at a time, two months prior to the date (should be one day before) at midnight Japan time. That’s approximately 60-62 days before the date you want.

I recommend you start checking at least a couple of days before the estimated release date to see how they are tracking.

The USJ Disability Access Pass (DAS Pass)

If you are looking for information on the USJ Disability Access Pass (DAS Pass), you can read this USJ DAS Pass beginner’s guide here.

Get your free Wise travel money card!

Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

Get your free Wise Card

There are three main kinds of Universal Studios Japan tickets and passes.

1 – Studio Passes

2 – Express Passes

3 – VIP Passes

1 – USJ Studio Passes

What are USJ Studio Passes?

Studio Passes are Universal Studios Japan entry tickets. These are compulsory tickets to enter USJ. You need to buy one of these even if you already have bought an Express Pass or a VIP Pass.

Studio Passes plus additional extras

There are some “extra” versions of Studio Passes. These can include a combination Studio Pass with an Express Pass and a combination Studio Pass with a Super Nintendo World Timed Entry. This is also known as a guaranteed Entry to Super Nintendo World.

Studio Passes plus Super Nintendo World guaranteed entry

Also known as the Studio Kansai Pass, the Studio Pass + SUPER NINTENDO WORLD + Have Fun In Kansai Pass is a popular USJ ticket as it guarantees entry into Super Nintendo World on your day of visit. You can read more about this Studio Pass with guaranteed entry to Super Nintendo World here.

Should I buy my Studio Pass first?

Not if you intend to buy an Express Pass, as you may move your dates to get an Express Pass. Studio Passes are usually much easier to buy later.

Can I buy my Studio Pass from a different seller?

Yes, you don’t have to buy your USJ Studio Passes and Express or VIP passes from the same seller. All passes are valid and work with each other.

Where should I buy USJ Studio Passes?

Recommended: Buy your USJ tickets through official sellers designed for international purchasers like Klook, KKDay and Trip. so you are issued with the correct date. There is a known error where some international orders receive a different date to the one they ordered.

No matter which official seller you buy them from, all USJ Studio Passes are the same. But where you buy them from can make all the difference.

Here are some recent examples (click to read in the Facebook Group)

There has been recurring incidences of people outside of Japan buying Studio Passes on the official USJ reseller website and then finding that they have been issued with wrong dated tickets. Because USJ tickets are all letter-rated, the result is that you are sometimes issued with an incompatible ticketing letter which doesn’t match the date you wanted. This doesn’t occur when purchasing Studio Passes from Klook, KKDay and Trip.

Don’t panic if this has happened to you – this can be fixed by emailing for a refund and re-purchase, or even possibly by going to Guest Services located outside of the USJ theme park gates on your day of visit.

There are numerous posts of this issue happening to members in our USJ Planning Facebook Group.

It’s best to avoid the possibility of this issue happening to you by buying your Studio Pass from the websites designed for international purchasers – Klook, KKDay and Trip.

When can I scan my Studio Passes into the USJ app?

Usually you need to wait a day after purchase before the system recognises them – it averages around 12-24hrs wait.

How do I scan a USJ Studio Pass into the App?

Watch my YouTube video to follow my step by step guide showing you how to scan your Universal Studios Japan theme park Studio Pass tickets into the official Universal Studios Japan App for the purposes of booking Super Nintendo World Timed Entry Passes. Read all about how to book Super Nintendo World Timed Entry in our guide here.

2 – USJ Express Passes

What are USJ Express Passes?

Universal Studios Japan Express Passes are sets of multiple ride queue fast passes which allow you to skip ride queues by accessing a priority lane at the entrance to each ride. There your QR Code will be scanned and you will walk past the long lines and arrive close to the front of the queue. You will usually still need to wait some minimal time (around 10-20 minutes), but it’s much less than the couple of hours wait time of the general queue. To go straight to the front of the queue with no waiting, skip to read about VIP Passes here.

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

Express Passes usually come in the form of 4s and 7s and also special 5s and 8s plus Premium. Express 4s include four different ride Express Passes, Express 7s include seven different ride Express Passes, and so on.

What is the USJ Express Premium pass?

USJ Express Premium passes offer 14 rides and attractions with no set time slots and one Super Nintendo World timed entry, and are the most expensive Express Pass you can currently buy – even more than some VIP Tours.

There are often several different variations of each type of Express Pass to choose from.

Express Passes give you a set time range to use the pass at a particular ride. Some Express Pass sellers assign your Express Pass times automatically upon confirmation, some allow you to choose sets of times available. Usually one or two of the lesser Express Pass rides like Jaws can be used (once) at any time during the day.

Should I buy Express Passes first?

Yes, you should buy your Express Passes prior to buying your Studio Passes, which are usually much easier to get.

Can I buy as many USJ Express Passes as I want?

You are limited to purchasing 4 tickets in one sale from the USJ reseller website.
You are not limited to 4 Express Tickets when purchasing off the other reseller websites. You can purchase up to 10 Express Passes in one sale.

Can I buy Express Passes separately?

Yes, you can buy as many Express Passes as you like separately, but if you want to ride together as a group or family you must buy the same Express Passes together in one purchase or you will be assigned different times and so be visiting rides separately. It can be almost impossible to sync up the times of separately purchased Express Passes. Don’t attempt it to avoid disappointment!

Are Express Passes Unlimited?

No, USJ Express Passes aren’t unlimited. They can only be used once per ride. Unlimited passes are available with certain VIP Passes.

What happens if I miss my time slot?

Some ride Express Passes have a time period to use them. If you arrive early you will need to wait before being allowed to enter the priority queue. If you arrive late you risk not being admitted. Our USJ Facebook group members write:

Important buying tips for USJ Express Passes:

Express 7s and 8s usually sell out fast upon release – Some Express 4s can be available for longer periods.
Express 7s and 8s which offer Super Nintendo World rides are the most popular, and can sell out in minutes.

Where should I buy USJ Express Passes?

Recommended:  If you are seeking USJ Express Passes buy them anywhere you can get them! Options include the USJ reseller website, Klook, Trip.com and KKDay. and it makes little difference where you buy them as it’s all the same ticket. You may, however encounter some purchasing issues.

USJ official website purchasing issues:

The USJ website only allows the purchase of 4 Express Passes in one sale.
USJ sometimes crashes if demand for tickets is large.
There is a persistent problem with the USJ website accepting overseas credit cards due to their exclusive Japanese 3D security screening. Some international credit cards are accepted but many are not. Amex or Wise pre-loaded travel money cards work best for the USJ websites. Get your free Wise card here and save the $10 card fee.

Klook and KKDay purchasing issues:

Historical. Cancellation risk is very low.

3 – USJ VIP Passes

What is a USJ VIP Pass?

Universal Studios Japan VIP Passes are widely regarded as the best USJ theme park experience pass, but of course they are also more expensive. Surprisingly, the shorter VIP Tour Passes aren’t all that more expensive than an Express Pass. Therefore if you have the budget, USJ VIP Passes can represent better value for money, given the benefits.

USJ VIP Passes include a private tour guide with extra benefits during the tour, plus extra Express Pass ride passes for before and/or afterwards.

What kind of VIP Tours are available?

You can buy a group or private VIP Tour Pass where the pricing encompasses a minimum number of people for a private tour.

VIP Passes are available for 3 hour tours (includes 4 rides plus come with an extra 3 or 4 individual ride Express Passes) or 5 hour tours and 8 hour tours (both include unlimited ride passes). KKDay sometimes offer a VIP Pass which includes transport to and from the park.

What do USJ VIP Passes include?

All USJ VIP Passes include a special entrance to USJ to avoid waiting in the general queue and access to the VIP lounge 30 mins prior to their tour start time. They all include a tour guide – A Chinese, Japanese or English speaking tour guide is pre-assigned to each tour.

During your VIP Tour, a tour guide will take you on a USJ guided tour including right to the front of the ride queues via behind the scenes entrances. Particular length tours include lunch and/or dinner, some in the private VIP restaurant. Others include restaurant discount vouchers.

Where can I buy USJ VIP Passes?

Recommended: Buy all your English Speaking VIP Tour Passes from KKDay and use our discount code LETSGOMUM at checkout for $30USD off! (learn how to turn any VIP into English in our guide here). (Japanese VIP Tours are available on USJ Japan website for residents within Japan)

You can learn more about USJ VIP Tours and see an itinerary in our beginner’s guide here.

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 70k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of April 2026 – always check with the source website for the most recent prices.

The post Universal Studios Japan Tickets & Passes Beginners Guide appeared first on Let's go Mum.

Here’s my quick guide to the new and most expensive Universal Studios Japan (USJ) Express fast pass – the Express Pass Premium.

What Universal Express Passes do I need?

Studio Pass -To gain entry to Universal Studios Japan to ride the rides and see the shows is the compulsory Studio Pass admission ticket.

Super Nintendo World timed entry – In addition as a crowd-control measure, you will need to obtain an extra Super Nintendo World timed entry to access any rides in that area.

Together, the above two passes will give you access to almost every ride and show inside Universal Studios Japan.

The problem with only buying a Studio Pass is that you have no way to skip the major ride queues. Universal Studios Japan ride wait times can exceed an hour or more. This means you day is going to be a lot more tedious with a lot less rides.

Therefore to maximise your time at USJ and lessen your time waiting around in queues most people also purchase a fast pass, known as an Express Pass or VIP Tour. Without a fast pass, your day may be a long and unproductive one at Universal Studios Japan.

What USJ fast passes are available?

In addition to the Studio Pass, USJ also offers a variety of different ride fast passes, including Express Passes and VIP Tours. You can learn more about all USJ ride pass types in my USJ pass beginner’s guide here.

What are Universal Express Passes?

Universal Studios Japan Express Passes are a popular separate ticket addition to Studio Passes. Many different variations are available, including the Express 4, Express 5, Express 7, Express 8 and Universal Express Pass Premium, all with different ride configurations.

How do Universal Studios Japan Express Passes work?

Express Passes can drastically shorten the time you spend waiting in busy USJ ride queues which can often exceed one and sometimes even 2 hours. USJ Express Passes offer a group of single ride fast passes. Each individual ride on the Express Pass usually has a set time frame to access them except for the Express Pass Premium.

How much time do Express Passes save?

Literally, hours. Express Pass holders use an Express Priority Lane which will help you to bypass most of the general queue. While you will still be required to wait in a queue, your queue and wait time will be much shorter than those in the normal standby ride queue. Express Pass holder wait times are usually around ten to twenty minutes, but on busy days or after ride breakdowns they can blow out to half and hour or more. Either way, they are still much shorter than the general ride queue.

If you would like to go straight to the front of the queue with unlimited ride access, you may like to read about Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours here.

Are Express Pass ride times strict?

Yes, standard Express Pass holders must access each ride within a certain nominated time frame or risk losing that ride’s Express Lane access. Whilst exceptions may be made, it’s never guaranteed and so best to be on the safe side and arrive in time.

How is Universal Express Pass Premium different?

Universal Express Pass Premium is different to standard Express Passes because in addition to offering the most rides and shows, it also offers the flexibility of no time restrictions when entering rides. So you can wander the park and use your Express Pass for each ride once at whatever time you like – with the exception of its Super Nintendo World entry & rides.

Which is best – the Express Pass or VIP?

On balance, Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours are the clear winner for the best day out at USJ. There are many more benefits to the Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours over Express Passes.

The main disadvantage to Express Passes is that you still have to queue – although you are in the Priority Lane you will still have to wait a certain amount of time to board rides. This can range from 10 minutes right up to an hour on a busy day. VIP Tour participants don’t. They are taken straight to the front of the ride. You can read all about Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours here.

Is Super Nintendo World included in Express Passes too?

Yes, provided they have Super Nintendo World (SNW) rides. The only exception to free-ranging ride times on the USJ Premium Express Tickets is that the Super Nintendo rides will be dependent upon your included SNW timed entry.

You can only enter Super Nintendo World once with your one timed entry with any Express Pass, and so those rides can only be accessed after that time – unless you acquire another Super Nintendo World timed entry.

Can I go back into Super Nintendo World after I have left?

Not with any Express Pass. Once exited, Super Nintendo World cannot normally be re-entered without another Super Nintendo World timed entry. You can learn about how to get an extra timed entry to Super Nintendo World here.

If you would like unlimited Super Nintendo World access, you can read about Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours here.

When do Universal Express Pass Premium tickets come on sale?

At this time – May 2026 – tickets release one day at a time, two months prior to the date (should be one day before) at midnight Japan time. That’s approximately 60-62 days before the date you want.

I recommend you start checking the websites at least a couple of days before the estimated release date to see how they are tracking.

Where should I buy my Universal Express Pass Premium tickets?

I partner with several ticket sellers however as a first option I would recommend KKDay. KKDay are an official seller recommended by Universal Studios Japan, accept all major credit cards and are trustworthy and reliable.

To ensure you secure the dates you want you should buy your tickets in the following order…

What rides are included in the Express Pass Premium?

There are 14 different Universal Studios Japan attractions included in the Universal Express Pass Premium. They currently include the following rides and attractions, but can be dependent upon the date, ride maintenance, current features on offer and other changes.

The Express Pass Premium ride list

Donkey Kong’s Minecart Madness
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
Yoshi’s Adventure
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Flight of the Hippogriff (youth ride – smaller seats)
The Flying Dinosaur
Space Fantasy the Ride Club Zedd Remix
Villain-Con Minion Blast
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
Hollywood Dream the Ride Backdrop (same coaster track, different train and seat orientation)
Hollywood Dream the Ride
Detective Conan 4-D Live Show
Jurassic Park The Ride

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Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

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What are the ride height restrictions for each ride?

Donkey Kong’s Minecart Madness
Height limit: 107cm (accompanied)
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
Height limit: 107cm (accompanied)
Yoshi’s Adventure
Height limit: 92cm (accompanied)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Height limit: 122 cm
Flight of the Hippogriff
Height limit: 92cm (accompanied) and 195cm
or less
The Flying Dinosaur
Height limit: 132 cm and 198 cm or less
Space Fantasy the Ride Club Zedd Remix
Height limit: 102cm (accompanied)
Villain-Con Minion Blast
Height limit: No minimum or maximum – moving walkway
Those under 122cm tall must be accompanied and you cannot carry children on the ride.
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
Height limit: 102cm (accompanied)
Hollywood Dream the Ride Backdrop (same coaster track, different train and seat orientation)
Height limit: 132 cm
Hollywood Dream the Ride
Height limit: 132 cm
Detective Conan 4-D Live Show (babies required to sit on own seats)
Jurassic Park The Ride
Height limit: 107cm (accompanied)

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 80k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of April 2026 – always check with the source website for the most recent prices.

The post Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Premium Guide appeared first on Let's go Mum.

What are Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours or Passes?

A Universal Studios Japan (USJ) VIP Pass is the next step up from the USJ Express Pass in both expense and features. It gives you the opportunity to have a very special experience at Universal Studios Japan!

Universal Studios VIP Tour sellers

Both Klook and Trip are official USJ VIP ticket sellers.

Where should I buy USJ VIP Passes?

Use the website -NOT the app!

Whilst apps are useful during your visit, any VIP Tour or ticket purchase should be done on the sellers website (on either mobile phone or computer). The website version includes more details of what you are buying, shows important information form links and is proven to be much faster to secure your passes!

Officially recommended by USJ: Any partner purchase links in this feature are the official sellers for Universal Studios Japan for overseas tourists. Always be sure to buy your Universal Studios Japan VIP tickets through official sellers designed for international purchases. (The Universal Studios Japan Japanese website is only for Japanese residents – see the rule on their website)

Watch an Instagram reel of our five hour VIP day!

Which website should I buy my VIP Tour from?

Klook is currently the best website to purchase English language VIP tours.

Buy 3hr, 5hr & 8hr VIP Passes on Klook

Buy 3hr, 5hr & 8hr VIP Passes on KKDay

Buy VIP Passes on Trip

What do you get on a USJ VIP Tour?

Led by a dedicated USJ Tour guide, you, your small group or family get to enjoy special VIP privileges such as a separate VIP entry and lounge, access to restricted areas, special character meet-and-greets plus being led straight to the front of popular rides!

How does a VIP Tour pass save me time?

A USJ planning group member recently reviewed their 5 hour VIP Tour and here is what they had to say:

The Universal Studios Japan VIP Entrance

As a VIP Tour member you can enter Universal Studios Japan via the special VIP entrance and Reception. Once you have cleared the security queue you can skip the entrance gates queue by using the red carpet VIP entrance!

The VIP Lounge

VIP Tour Members also have access to the large and comfortable VIP Lounge. Here you can meet your tour guide, leave your shopping bags, get free ponchos, enjoy cool drinks and even take bottles of water from the lounge with you on your VIP Tour! If there is a member of your VIP Tour who just needs a break, they can use the VIP Lounge to wait in in comfort. It’s a great base for your day at Universal Studios Japan.

The Luminant VIP Restaurant

Included in the 5 and 8 hour VIP tours a meal is included at the special Luminant VIP Private Lounge and Dining restaurant. This exclusive VIP restaurant is only for VIP Tour members and overlooks the beautiful Universal Studios Japan Lake.

The varied fare includes a range of delicious food and even cute, themed selections! Lunch is a buffet selection and Dinner includes special à la carte selections. You get about an hour and a half to eat your meal. If you finish your meal early you can go and do another ride!

What happens on a USJ VIP Tour?

On all VIP Tours you are led around USJ by your group’s very own Tour Guide! When you are with your tour guide you will completely skip the ride queues. You will get to see behind-the-scenes short cut passageways all the way to the front of the ride queue. You won’t have to wait in the Priority Queue like the Express Pass holders as you will be taken straight to the head of the queue!
You may also take part in games and special character meet-and-greets and activities. Your Tour Guide is there to help make your experience a wonderful one! They will tell you interesting facts as you walk around the theme park and even take family photos for you during the tour!

Read my 5 Hour USJ VIP Tour POV experience

Read a minute by minute breakdown of my own USJ 5 hour VIP Tour here.

When can I buy my USJ VIP tickets?

USJ VIP ticket releases usually happen the same time as the general ticket release, which is 2 months prior at midnight Japan time – give or take a few days.

The best way to work out your day of VIP Tour release is start watching the date releases on the selling websites and count them down.

Be warned that once they become available they can be snapped up very quickly, and once sold they do not reappear – even if cancelled.

What time do Universal Japan Tickets become available?

Currently, USJ tickets release one day at a time, two months prior to the ticket date (one day before) at midnight Japan time. Tours often start appearing around the 2am mark.

Any changes to this process are always announced promptly in our Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here.

Get your free Wise travel money card!

Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

Get your free Wise Card

Do USJ VIP Tour Guides only speak Japanese?

No, you can get USJ VIP Tour Guides who speak not only Japanese, but English too! It’s possible to book all 3, 5 and 8 hour VIP Tours as English speaking Tours.

How do I book a USJ English Speaking VIP Tour?

Buy your Universal Studios Japan VIP tickets through trusted official sellers Klook, KKDay and Trip are the best international websites for overseas purchasers to successfully book English Speaking VIP Tour Passes. Klook usually offer the most English speaking tours.

Which VIP Tour booking company is the best?

1 – Klook offer all English speaking USJ VIP Tours. This is a reliable purchase choice and the best site to try first.

2 – KKDay offer all Japanese speaking VIP Tours with a process to request English speaking tours. They also sometimes offer a pre-booking option.

3 – Trip offers English speaking tours. Trip VIP Tours can often have more availability.

My recommendation is to try Klook first for USJ VIP Tours

Then KKDay, then Trip.

Changing USJ VIP Tours to English speaking tours

VIP Tours often look like they default offer only Japanese language tour guides, however there are English language speaking tour guides available. Here’s how to request an English speaking tour guide. It’s not guaranteed, so if their English tour guide allocation has been exhausted, tour guides will need to use a translation tool. (A group member was recently notified that they were unsuccessful getting an English speaking to guide)

To get an English speaking VIP Tour guide, the process is that you fill in a Traveler Info Form request and specify that you would like an English speaking Tour Guide on it.

Use the Klook website instead of the app

The Traveler Info Form button is visible on your Klook VIP Tour purchase order form during the booking process when using the Klook website (and may not be visible on the app).

I can’t find the form in the VIP Tours application

If the application asks if you have filled in the pre information Traveler Form when applying and you missed it, the booking service will contact you with the form link, plus support chat can also provide you with the form link.

What should I expect to happen after I have paid for my KKDay VIP Tour?

KKDay usually need to confirm your VIP Tour which can take days. After you pay you will receive a confirmation of payment only.

After the booking service has received your payment and language preference, they will then personally contact USJ with your English language guide request. They will attempt to arrange for an English language guide for your VIP Tour. This process can take up to 3 business days.

KKDay will contact you to either confirm or cancel your VIP Tour.

If your VIP Tour is confirmed, you will receive an email of VIP Tour confirmation with your VIP Tour QR Code. You will also receive a tour preferences form to fill out.

How long does it take to confirm a KKDay USJ VIP Tour after I have paid?

The official confirmation waiting period is 3 working days. It can be almost immediate, but usually it is a (working) day or two.

What happens if an English Tour Guide isn’t available?

Should an English tour guide not be available, you can still choose to go along on a Japanese speaking VIP Tour. USJ Japanese speaking guides can usually speak limited English. So even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can get by with their limited English and their translation tool to communicate with you. You will miss understanding a lot of chatter during the tour, however.

What happens if my USJ VIP Tour is cancelled?

If for any reason your VIP Tour application is cancelled by the seller, your money will be refunded, usually very promptly.

What is the difference between Private and Group VIP Tours?

There are two main types of Universal Studios Japan VIP tours – group and private

Group USJ VIP Tours – currently these are only all of the 3hr VIP Tours- where groups of 10 mixed people or families (unknown to each other) book and do the tour together. These tours are priced per person. There is currently a higher priced Kinopios Cafe version available too.

Private USJ VIP tours – these are the 5 hour and 8 hour VIP Tours. These are only private tours. These tours are priced from a minimum collective price of four VIP Tour participants (you must pay the price of four, even if you are only one, two or three people). You will receive one QR Code for four people.

Are less than four people allowed on a private VIP Tour?

Yes, you can be any number under four people but must still pay the minimum price of four people.

Can I add extra people on to our private tour?

Yes, you can pay by person to add extra people to your tour for the same per person price.
If you buy for more than four people you will get extra QR Codes for each individual person. So, 1 QR Code covers the first 4 people and then you get 1 for 1 extra person, 2 for 2 extra people and so on. You can book up to a total of 10 people on USJ VIP Tours.

How do I add extra people to our VIP Tour?

Most recently the way to add extra people to the 5hr and 8hr VIP Tours has changed.

For both Klook and KKDay you will now need to add any extra VIP Tour participants using the information form sent to you AFTER paying for the initial 4 people set.

You will need to pay for the additional people not already paid for at VIP after arrival at Universal Studios Japan.

How much does a USJ VIP Tour cost?

Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours pricing varies upon the type of VIP and also the date booked.

You can see our USJ Price Comparison Graph here

VIP Passes are usually priced higher than Express Passes but are regarded as much better value. For both Express Passes and VIP Tours you will also need to purchase Studio Pass entrance tickets to USJ.

Is the USJ Express Pass cheaper than a VIP Tour?

Yes, most of the time. Check out our USJ Comparison Graph to see the price differences between Express Passes and VIP Tours side-by-side.

As a rough guide, these are the cheapest VIP Tour prices for February 2026 in AUD:

3hr VIP Tours $352.69 per person (Trip) $389.91 (KKDay) $389.75 (Klook)
5hr VIP Tours $2,423 for 4 people (Klook/KKDay) Extra person: $606 per person. (tour includes 1 meal)
8hr VIP Tours $3,400 for 4 people (Klook/KKDay) Extra person: $850 per person (tour includes 2 meals)

The 3 hour USJ Super Nintendo VIP Tour

What does a 3 hour USJ VIP Tour include?

The 3 hour USJ VIP Tour is a public tour, and so run differently to the 5 and 8 hour VIP Tours.

You can purchase places on a 3hr VIP Tour individually.
You can enter Universal Studios Japan from opening time or later.
You can use the VIP Entrance to skip the entrance queue. You will receive four ride Express Passes for use before or after the tour. These Express Passes are good for one ride use. They give you access to the Priority Lane of each USJ ride which allows you to skip most of the standard queue.
You will get access to the USJ VIP Lounge 20 minutes prior to your VIP Tour where you can enjoy complimentary drinks. There you will meet your Tour Guide.
You will receive a free ride poncho.
You will receive a 10% off discount voucher to dine at park restaurants – including Kinopio’s Café in Super Nintendo World.
During your tour you will do four rides once each with your tour guide. The tour guide will take you to the head of each ride queue, bypassing Express Pass holders. You will also get some free time from the tour to look around and shop.
With some higher-priced Kinopio Priority Access 3hr VIPs you will be taken to the ordering counter of Kinopio’s Cafe in Super Nintendo World at the end of your tour.

3 hour USJ VIP Tour FAQs

Do you get unlimited rides on a 3hr VIP Tour?

No, you only get unlimited rides on a 5 or 8 hour Universal Studios Japan VIP Tour.

How many rides do you get on a 3hr Tour?

There are 4 rides on the tour plus another 4 rides accessible via the Priority Lane before or after the tour. So 8 expedited rides are included.

What rides are on a USJ 3hr VIP Tour?

A Super Nintendo World 3 hour VIP Tour currently includes one ride on each of the following rides:

• Jaws
• Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness
• Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
• Yoshi’s Adventure

What rides can I use my extra Express Passes on?

You can use your 4 additional Express Ride passes on almost any of the rides located outside of Super Nintendo World (because you will do all three Super Nintendo rides during the 3hr Tour Guide led tour). The rides you can choose from include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast (possibly)
• Detective Conan 4-D Live Show: Jewel Under the Starry Sky (possibly)
• Space Fantasy – The Ride
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• The Flying Dinosaur
• JAWS
• Jurassic Park – The Ride

The above list is correct as of February 2026 – it can slightly change seasonally

Can I use my 3hr VIP Tour Ride Express Passes before the tour starts?

Yes you can! You can pick up your 4 Express Passes as soon as you arrive and use them to access rides via the Priority Lane before or after your VIP Tour.

Can anyone use the Express Passes?

Yes, the VIP3 Express Passes are flexible. You can share the express passes amongst your group and the eligible rides, as. They are not attached to any particular ride (only rides as listed above) or person.

Do I get VIP access to Kinopio’s Cafe on my 3hr VIP Tour?

If you buy the higher-priced Kinopio Priority Access 3hr VIP Tour your VIP Tour will conclude inside Super Nintendo World and your tour guide will escort you to the service counter of the famous mushroom shaped Kinopio’s Cafe at the end of your VIP Tour. One group member asked to be left there on a standard 3hr VIP and was successful so it may be worth a try!

Do I get unlimited entry into Super Nintendo World with a 3hr VIP?

No, you don’t get unlimited entry into Super Nintendo World. Once you leave Super Nintendo World you’ll need another SNW timed entry to get back in. You only get unlimited entry to Super Nintendo World with a 5 or 8hr VIP Tour.

The 5 & 8 hour USJ VIP Private Tours

What does a USJ VIP Private Tour include?

You can enter Universal Studios Japan from opening time or later using the VIP Entrance after security to skip the entrance queue.
You will have access to the USJ VIP Lounge all day which includes complimentary drinks.
You will have your lunch and/or dinner in the exclusive USJ VIP Restaurant.
You will receive a VIP wristband to wear which gives you unlimited access to USJ rides and Super Nintendo World all day.
You will receive a free ride poncho.
Note: There may be some special paid event shows which may not be included in your VIP tour and so should be pre-requested on the information forms at the booking stage.

How do we get to do what we want on the VIP Tour?

A detailed questionnaire form will be sent to you once your VIP Tour has been confirmed. There you can select or request the USJ activities and rides of most interest to you. Here are some screenshots from the form.

On the day of your USJ VIP Tour you will meet your Tour Guide at the VIP Lounge at your booked tour time. Together you will sit down to further plan your perfect VIP tour itinerary! You will discuss what you would like to do during your tour so that your tour will be fully customised and personally tailored to suit your group’s wishes.
If you haven’t already picked them up, you will each be given a VIP ride wrist band and poncho.
Your meals times will usually be arranged before your tour and are usually outside of your tour time itinerary. Your tour guide won’t be with you for meal times.
This sit down planning session with your Tour Guide will be included in your VIP Tour time.

What can I choose to do during my Private VIP Tour?

You can choose to do almost any attraction and experiences within the theme park. Your private VIP tour will be designed around the rides/experiences/character meets your group would like to do!
Some examples might include activities like VIP seats at shows like Waterworld, shopping, private character meet and greets or perhaps a Harry Potter Olivander’s wand show where one of your tour members will have a wand carefully selected for them!

Will my VIP lunch or dinner be included in my tour time?

Your meal time will usually be outside of your 5 hr VIP Tour time. 8 hour private VIP tours include both lunch and dinner, and usually one meal will be outside of the tour time.

What happens on the 5hr and 8hr VIP Tours?

During your private VIP Tour your tour guide will take you right to the front of each ride queue you would like to ride so that you can board almost immediately. If you wish to, you can even repeat favourite rides multiple times!

Perhaps you want to spend time some time shopping – your Tour Guide can look after your shopping for you while you look around the store and then help you to skip the store’s checkout queue when you’re ready to buy your merchandise. The same goes for food queues – straight to the front!

Your Tour Guide will follow your pre-planned itinerary throughout your VIP Tour to help you to do what you love and make your day the best USJ day ever!

5 & 8 hour USJ VIP Tour FAQs

How can I meet characters for a photo?

On the five hour VIP tour you will be allowed to skip the line for the Nintendo pipes photo at the entrance to super Nintendo world and also the jaws shark photo Queue. You’ll need to pay for your character photos from these and any other characters that you must line up for.

On the 8 hour VIP tour you will have free rein to visit and skip the queue of every character in the Park with the exception of Donkey Kong and a package of photos will also be included.

Are Power-Up Bands included in 5 and 8hr VIPs?

If they wish to, VIP tourers are allowed to purchase Power-Up bands from the main USJ gift store cash registers near the park’s main front entrance. Proof of VIP must be shown. Power-Up bands are also readily available to purchas inside of Super Nintendo World.

Are there included snacks and vouchers?

Not officially. Many VIP Tour participants have reported receiving free snacks during their tour such as Butter Beer and popcorn. No specifics are listed anywhere about vouchers – it seems to be the luck of the draw!

Do you get unlimited rides on a 5hr or 8hr VIP Tour?

Yes, you do get unlimited rides on a 5 hour and 8 hour Universal Studios Japan VIP Tour.

Can I use my Unlimited Ride wrist band before the tour starts?

Yes you can! You can pick up your unlimited ride wristband as soon as you arrive at USJ. You can use it before or after your VIP Tour to access the Priority Lane of each USJ ride, allowing you to skip most of the standard queue. It can take approximately 5-10 minutes to board a ride using the Priority Queue. The Donkey Kong Minekart can sometimes take longer. You can use the ride Priority Lanes as many times as you like with your VIP wristband.

Is my meal included in the VIP Tour price?

Yes, any stated VIP Tour meal at the VIP restaurant is included in the price of your VIP Tour.

Do I get unlimited access to Super Nintendo World with a 5hr or 8hr VIP Tour?

Yes, your 5 or 8hr VIP bracelet will give you unlimited entry into Super Nintendo World.

Do I get VIP access to Kinopio’s Cafe on my 5hr or 8hr VIP Tour?

You can ask your tour guide for a Kinopio’s visit to be factored into your VIP tour when you sit down to plan your tour together. You can’t swap the value of one of your VIP meals, so you would need to pay extra for your Kinopios meal.

One group member’s 8 hour experience

Here is detailed group member recap of their 8 hour VIP Tour

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

Universal Studios Japan VIP Pass General FAQs

Do I need to buy a Studio Pass if I have a VIP Pass?

Yes, all VIP Tour participants still need to buy a Studio Pass entrance ticket even if they have bought a VIP Pass.

Should I use the VIP sellers app or website?

Whilst apps are useful during your visit, any VIP Tour or ticket purchase should be done on the sellers website (on either mobile phone or computer). The website version includes more details of what you are buying, links to forms and is proven to be much faster to secure your passes!.

What order should I buy my USJ tickets in?

As you may have difficulty buying the exact USJ VIP Pass date you want, it is wise to wait to buy your park entrance Studio Passes. Once you have confirmed your VIP Tour, then it’s time to buy your Studio Pass tickets from the same seller.

Are USJ VIP Tours refundable?

No, USJ VIP Tours are not refundable. It is always advisable to purchase Travel insurance before you start making trip bookings.

Where should I buy my Studio Passes?

The easiest way is by using the same website you bought your VIP Passes on. You already have an account and know it will accept your number of tickets – and your credit card!

Can I arrive at USJ before my VIP Tour?

Yes, you can access USJ earlier than your VIP Tour providing it is during normal opening hours. You will be given and able to use the bonus passes/wrist band according to your VIP Tour Package.

Are children allowed on a VIP tour?

Yes, children are welcome on USJ VIP Tours. Children cost the same price as adults. Children under the age of four are free. As per usual, children can only ride according to individual ride height or age ride restrictions. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult on a USJ VIP Tour. Although you don’t pay for an under-4yrs child, it’s a good idea to let them know you will have an extra family member along with you on the information form.

Can parent ride swap be used on VIP Tours?

To use the parent ride child swap facility during a 3 hour VIP Tour, the ride vouchers for the second parent’s ride may be arranged to be given for use after the tour (so as not to hold up the 3 hour VIP group tour). A private VIP Tour will be necessary to use parent swap for both parent’s rides during the tour.

Do you get unlimited rides on a VIP Tour?

You do get an unlimited ride pass for use all day after or before your 5 or 8 hour USJ VIP Tour, however you don’t get an unlimited ride pass with 3 hour VIP Tours – you get one ride each on four rides during the tour and are given four individual one-use Express Passes for outside the tour on the same day.

Does a VIP Pass give you early entry to Universal Studios Japan?

No, a USJ VIP Pass does not give you early entry to Universal Studios Japan. You do get to enter the theme park through a special VIP entry instead of having to wait in the general queue after the first security queue.

What do I do if I’m running late for my VIP Tour?

If you are running late for your USJ VIP Tour, group members have had success with asking staff to take them to the front of the security queue to make their VIP Tour on time. It’s always best to plan to arrive with enough time to pass through security prior to your VIP Tour.

Can I go on a Japanese speaking USJ VIP Tour?

Yes, if you only speak English you can still join a Japanese speaking VIP Tour. Be aware that even if some tour guides speak basic English there is constant dialogue in Japanese, so you will miss a lot.

Can I buy the USJ Japanese website VIP Tours?

No. Overseas purchasers are not allowed to book any VIP Tours on the Japanese USJ website. These are available to Japanese residents only.

Are there Chinese speaking USJ VIP Tours?

Yes you can sometimes find Chinese Tour Guide VIP Tours for sale on Klook here.

Should I tip my VIP Tour Guide?

No, Universal Studios Japan Staff are not allowed to receive tips or gifts, however there is a way to thank them – with “Fan Mail”.

Staff Fan Mail

You can thank a USJ employee by writing a thank you note to them praising their service. This can be on a postcard or note which you then take to the Customer Service office inside the theme park, or the one located between Security and the main entrance. They will give you a short form to fill out so you can put the staff members name and date of your VIP Tour (or wherever the general USJ staff member helped you). They will attach the two documents together for you to “post” in a box. Fan Mail also helps the Staff member be recognised as a good employee by USJ!

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 80k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of February 2026 – always check with the source websites for the most recent prices.

The post Universal Studios Japan VIP Pass & Tour Beginners Guide appeared first on Let's go Mum.

When you first start looking into Universal Studios Japan (USJ) tickets and passes it can be so confusing! Particularly when you can’t decide which ride fast pass is for you so that you can avoid standing in long queues all day.

There are two main queue skipping ride pass systems at USJ – Express Passes, and VIP Tours.

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Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

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What is the difference between USJ Express Passes and VIP Tours?

Universal Express Passes are one-use only ride passes sold in groups of 4 to 8 time allocated rides plus the Express Pass Premium with 14 rides which you use independently around the theme park.

Express Passes access rides via a priority laneway which bypasses most of the queue, but you still wait a short period to board the ride. You can read more about USJ Express Passes in our beginner’s guide here.

VIP Tour Passes are actual full or partial guided tours which give you lots of extra benefits, plus priority access which takes you right to the front of the ride queue – bypassing even the Express Pass holders. USJ VIP Tours are a more luxurious experience.
Use my exclusive discount code LETSGOMUM at KKDay checkout to give you up USD $30 off (AUD $41) .
You can read more about USJ VIP Tours in our beginner’s guide here.

The Express Pass Vs. VIP Tour Comparison Graph

The following graph has taken a sample of the main official seller websites for overseas purchasers – KKDay, Klook and Trip. The prices are all in Australian dollars, and were all taken on the same day in 2026.

On this graph you can clearly see prices and features side by side so that you can more effectively compare their value. This will help you to make the right USJ pass choice for your own Universal Studios Japan visit – whether you be visiting on your own, or with the whole crew!

Do I need to buy a Studio Pass if I have an Express or VIP Pass?

Yes, you still need to buy a Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass for every person entering USJ, even if you have bought an Express or VIP Pass.

I hope this USJ pass comparison graph makes your decision a little easier. Don’t forget that if you aren’t a member already, you should consider joining my Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group. It’s a great place to chat and ask questions with like-minded travelers heading to USJ!

Join my Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 70k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of February 2026 – always check with the source websites for the most recent prices.

The post Universal Studios Japan Express vs VIP Pass Comparison appeared first on Let's go Mum.

There are often miscommunication issues for tourists trying to book tickets at Universal Studios Japan. And there’s complete radio silence when it comes to Disability Access Pass (DAS) passes – online, or otherwise!

It’s important to know that Universal Studios Japan accessibility DAS passes, also known as Guest Services Passes, are available to all eligible visitors.

After months of overseas visitor frustration and generically answered emails following the end of ticket sales at the gate earlier this year, it was time to get the Universal Studios Japan DAS pass update straight “from the horse’s mouth”.

I phoned Universal Studios Japan to get this information

I phoned USJ customer services directly this week (September 2025) to find out exactly what Disability and Carer ticket purchasing options were available to international visitors. The following information was also fact-checked and verified by their supervisor during the phone call.

Most recently in May 2026 I confirmed this system is still in place and bought disability tickets in person at USJ Guest Services in Japan.

USJ Accessibility – Disability Support Passes are available

Since all of the Universal Studios Japan ticket booths closed on May 6th of 2025 it has presented a problem for overseas visitors attempting to buy the lower-priced Disability entrance tickets (also known as the Disability Support Pass or SPs). It was widely publicised that no tickets of any kind would be available for purchase at the gate. Where once visitors were able to buy all tickets including disabled passes at the gates, it appeared that this was no longer possible. However, this is incorrect!

USJ discounted Disability Passes can be purchased at the gate

You can still purchase Universal Studios Japan Disability Support Pass admission tickets at the gate. The cheaper Disability Support Passes can be purchased directly from the USJ Customer Service office located on site, past security and just outside the theme park gates.

There are some Disability Pass purchasing rule changes

Buying USJ Disability Admission Tickets on the day

You can only buy Disability tickets including Carer/Companion tickets on the day of your visit.

and

You can only buy Disability tickets – not standard Studio Passes, Express Passes or VIP Passes. Buy these online in advance from Klook here.

Universal Port Hotel sells disability admission tickets

Update January 2026 – a group member has reported that you can also now buy disability admission tickets from the Universal Port Hotel.

Do Disability tickets work the same as Studio Passes?

Yes, Universal Japan Disabled Tickets work exactly the same as USJ Studio Passes, including the ability to scan them into the Universal Studios App to book Super Nintendo World Timed Entry.

Where is USJ Customer Service outside the theme park?

Universal Studios Japan Disability tickets are available from the Customer Service Office. This office is now located after you go through Security on the right-hand side.

Will my Disabled Pass get me into Super Nintendo World?

No, your Disability ticket will not get you into Super Nintendo World – it will work on Super Nintendo World rides.

Where can I buy USJ DAS passes online?

The only place any USJ park visitors can purchase DAS passes online is the USJ official Japanese site. The problem with this solution is that the USJ websites often reject overseas credit cards which don’t work with Japan 3D Security.

Which credit cards work on the Universal Studios Japan website?

International credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard which don’t support the exclusive Japanese 3D security system are rejected by the USJ website. Credit Cards which frequently work on the USJ websites (both English and Japanese) are Amex and the Wise Travel Money pre-paid debit card (my readers can get a free Wise Card here)

Get your free Wise travel money card!

Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

Get your free Wise Card

What benefits are available in the USJ Accessibility System?

Accessibility benefits available at Universal Studios include Disability Support Passes to enter the park, and also free timed-entry return Disability Cards to avoid standing and waiting in the general queue. Both require you to prove that you have an acceptable disability via documentation.

Universal Studios Japan Disability Support Passes enable disabled theme park visitors and one companion to access the park with a reduced-price disability passes. Can be purchased online or bought at the gate.

Universal Studios Japan Disability Ride Access Cards enable disabled theme park visitors and up to five companions to wait for their ride wait time elsewhere than the general queue and then access the ride via a priority route. Can be obtained at Customer Service inside the park.

What is the disability time-return ride system?

The time-return ride system requires you to first register for a card to use at the ride to use to avoid queuing to ride. You will receive a return time equal to the queue wait time on your card. You will still be required to wait out the normal ride queuing time before returning to access the ride at the return time via a priority laneway.

How do I get disability access to skip the ride queue?

You will need to get your Disability Ride Pass Card at any ride inside Universal Studios Japan after you have scanned into the park. You will again need to prove that you have an acceptable disability via documentation. See our detailed DAS Pass guide here.

Do I need to have a Disability Support entrance pass to get a disability ride card?

No, you can access the park using a standard Studio Pass and still obtain a disability ride card provided you have the necessary disability paperwork.

How does disability ride time-return work?

First, take your time card to your desired ride with all members of your family who wish to ride with you (maximum number of six people). Approach the ride attendant. Your card will be filled in with a return time which will be a time gap equal to the wait time of that particular ride.

For example, if you arrive at the ride at 2pm and the ride queue time is 2 hours, your time to return will be 4pm. You return to the ride at 4pm and you will then be given access directly to the ride via the priority queue or expedited disability access. You will have a low wait time to board the ride.

The USJ Disability Access Pass (DAS Pass) Guide

If you are looking for more detailed information on the USJ Disability Access Pass (DAS Pass), you can read our USJ DAS Pass beginner’s guide here.

Where should I buy my other family member’s USJ Studio Passes?

Recommended: Buy your standard USJ tickets through sellers designed for international purchasers like Klook, KKDay or Trip so you are issued with the correct date as problems on the USJ official website are common when booking overseas.
Buy your Studio Pass from the websites designed for international purchasers – Klook, KKDay or Trip.

How do I scan a USJ Disability Ticket into the App?

Universal Studios Disability Tickets work the same as any USJ Studio Pass. Watch my YouTube video to follow my step-by-step guide showing you how to scan your Universal Studios Japan theme park Disability and Companion Studio Pass tickets into the official Tokyo Disney Resort App to book Super Nintendo World Timed Entry Passes. Read all about how to book Super Nintendo World Timed Entry in our guide here.

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 70k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay, product or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay. Thank you for your support! Any prices are correct as of September 2025 – always check with the source website for the most recent prices.

The post How to get the Universal Studios Japan Disability DAS Pass appeared first on Let's go Mum.

KKDay Pre-Sale Universal Japan VIP Passes

Official Universal Studios partner KKday are now offering pre-paid Pre-Sale VIP Tickets. Pre-sale tickets are not always available, but when they are they sell out quickly.

Why should I buy a pre-sale USJ VIP?

The idea of purchasing pre-sale VIPs is that you get first access to those in-demand USJ VIP tickets. VIP Tickets are regarded as the best way to visit Universal Studios Japan – often for little more than the price of the inferior Express Pass. Here is an Express Pass versus VIP Tour comparison.

You can learn all about Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours in my beginner’s guide here.

When are Pre-Sale tickets available for sale?

Pre-sale VIP Tickets are released approximately six days prior to the date the VIP tickets are due for public release – which is 2 months, 1 day prior to the day of visit.

How can I get a pre-sale VIP Tour?

Most USJ tickets release at midnight Japan time. Check what time this is in your country (for example in Australia this is around 2am depending on which state and if it’s daylight savings time) and then start checking from that time onwards. It may take a few hours for them to sell out, but it’s very hard to predict if they will be available, and how long they will be available for.

There has been some confusion around how Pre-Sale VIP Tours work. One member of our Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group writes:

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Where should I buy USJ VIP Pre-Sale Passes?

You can buy your Universal Studios Japan Pre-Sale VIP tickets through official sellers designed for international tourists like Klook, KKDay and Trip . These are the best websites for overseas purchasers to successfully book English Speaking VIP Tour Passes.

Where can I see the status of my Pre Sale VIP Tour?

By logging in to the KKDay website on PC or on mobile phone, you can access any booking details. Be sure to use the email you used when purchasing your pre-sale – “Continue with Email”. Don’t use your Google account to sign in, even if it is the correct email as a member reported this is a known account duplication issue.

You’ll find the login menu on the top right of a PC and the left top menu on mobile phone. There’s no need to access the app.

Once you’re logged in, click on your account icon. This may be on the top-right of your PC browser or again from the left drop down menu on mobile phone. There you’ll find any upcoming, completed (used) and cancelled bookings. You should see any pre purchases under “Upcoming”.

Look at the bottom for the date your VIP Tour is expected to release for general sale such as the one highlighted here. You should hear back on that date. You’ll also see the confirmed or cancelled status of your pre-sale here.

When will I know I my Pre-Sale VIP has been confirmed?

There is no way of knowing about when a Pre-Sale VIP will be confirmed or cancelled before the date that your Pre-Sale VIP Tour releases for general sale and you can see the tickets on the KKDay website. KKDay support can’t help you with information regarding your presale until that date.

You should receive a notification email of confirmation or cancellation on the date that your Pre-Sale VIP Tour releases for general sale. You’ll find that information by logging into your account to check the status of your booking.

What if my pre-sale VIP is cancelled?

Whilst in the minority, cancellations can happen – but it’s not a disaster! Universal Studios Japan Pre-Sale VIPs can be cancelled for various reasons.

When you buy your pre-sale ticket, the price is not yet set by USJ. You’re paying what KKDay are estimating those VIP Ticket prices will be on release day as an opportunity for you to get first access. If demand or other factors push the price up higher than what KKDay estimated the price to be – the price you paid for your pre-sale VIP – your pre-sale purchase will be cancelled.

While you may worry if your USJ VIP presale is cancelled, you can usually just quickly rebook that same tour. KKDay usually send you the Pre Sale VIP Tour outcome as soon as public VIPs for that date become available and VIP Tours are still newly released and plentiful. Once a pre-sale cancellation email is received most people successfully re-book their VIP Tickets on KKDay immediately.

What if I paid more than the VIP price on release day?

If the price of the VIP Tour is actually cheaper than what you paid, you will be confirmed and refunded the difference in about one working week.

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

Can I buy both VIPs and then refund the pre-sale before it is officially cancelled?

No, you will need to get formal confirmation of the pre-sale cancellation from KKDay before you purchase again or you may end up holding 2 confirmed VIP packages which are non-refundable.

Can I cancel USJ Presale VIP?

Possibly. One group member recently was able to cancel their Presale booking with KKDay through messaging them.

When should I contact KKDay about the outcome of my pre-sale?

If you haven’t received an email or can’t see an update by logging into your account to check the status of your booking , then it’s time to contact KKDay chat support so that they can follow up your pre-sale VIP Tour outcome.

When will I get my KKDay ticket cancellation refund?

If your pre-sale tickets are cancelled by KKDay you will receive a refund in. Even though KKDay state it may take “up to 14 days” to refund your payment, it’s rarely that long. KKDay do tend to refund promptly. That said, you are out of pocket for a few days for two VIP packages if you have just repurchased the package from the general release on KKDay. Rest assured KKDay will refund any cancelled tickets. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact them.

Are USJ VIP Tours refundable?

No, USJ VIP Tours, pre-sale or otherwise are not refundable as per their terms and conditions of sale – unless they are cancelled by KKDay.

Do I need to buy Studio Passes if I have a VIP Tour?

Yes, you still need to buy Studio Passes for entry to Universal Studios Japan no matter what fast pass type ticket you buy, including Express Passes and VIP Tours. The easiest way is by using the same website you bought your VIP Passes on. You already have an account and know it will accept your number of tickets – and your credit card!

Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 70k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!

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For many visitors to Universal Studios Japan (a.k.a. USJ), the main attraction is Super Nintendo World. But often Universal Japan Express Passes and unlimited access into Super Nintendo World and unlimited rides with the VIP Pass are either sold out well in advance – or not available at all. Not to mention their high price is yet another cost for tourists to factor into to their already expensive holiday.

Fear not – there is a solution!

Get your free Wise travel money card!

Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.

Get your free Wise Card

Can I buy a guaranteed entry into Super Nintendo World?

Yes, if you’d rather buy a ticket to get into Super Nintendo World you can actually buy guaranteed entry into Super Nintendo World without buying an expensive Express Pass.

The cheapest way around this is a Klook Studio Pass which includes a timed entry into SNW.

“1-day Studio Pass + SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ + Have Fun in Kansai Pass”

You can read more about the Studio Pass + SUPER NINTENDO WORLD + Have Fun In Kansai Pass in my guide here.

If you would rather try to get in for free, we have successfully test-run two reliable ways to get in to Super Nintendo World Japan without paying any more than your Universal Studios Japan entrance ticket. Best of all, whilst the following methods may cost you extra effort, they won’t cost you any extra money!

It’s important to remember that before you use any of the following methods to get into Super Nintendo World you must buy a valid entrance ticket to Universal Studios Japan for the day you attend.

Where should I buy Universal Studios Japan tickets online?

Buy your Universal Studios Japan entrance tickets online at Klook here

If you prefer to buy Express Tickets to Super Nintendo World, you can buy them on Klook here

You can also get up to 10% off many Japan attractions on Klook by using my exclusive discount code at checkout:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook 

Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. Klook new customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Klook exclusions list here. This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

Japan mobile phone internet data eSims

Buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work reliably in Universal Studios Japan and allows you to access the internet in Japan.

Buy an Airalo eSim

How can I get into Super Nintendo World Japan for free?

There are two main ways to get into Super Nintendo World for free once you have entered Universal Studios Japan. No matter how you get in to Super Nintendo World, you will first need a valid Universal Studios Japan entry ticket for that day to enter the park.

Method 1 – Enter Super Nintendo World before it opens in the morning

You’ll notice a lot of locals using this trick. It’s a big time and money-saver – but it does require some planning!

What time should I arrive at Super Nintendo World Japan in the morning?

If possible, try to plan your Universal Japan visit on a weekday that isn’t a public holiday. Arrive at Universal Studios Japan very early in the morning, well before the park opens. A good rule of thumb is two hours prior to the official opening time.

We arrived at 7am in the morning by train and walked through Universal City to the main gates. You can watch the video of our early entry into Super Nintendo World here. It takes around 5 minutes to walk quickly from the Universal City Train Station to the Universal Studios Japan main entrance.

When we arrived at the entrance gates, we found ourselves towards the rear of the main front queue. This was good enough to get us to Super Nintendo World on time for that day’s opening time of 9am.

What time does Universal Studios Japan open?

The official opening time of Universal Studios Japan fluctuates with the days and seasons. Times are listed on the official website, however the park nearly always opens around fifteen minutes to forty-five minutes earlier than stated. For example, officially Universal Studios may be listed as opening at 9am however the main gates may start scanning the general queue of people in at 8:30am. The only way to know for sure is to experience it on the day. You can ask at the customer service office outside of the park, however they can only tell you the previous day’s opening time. VIP and Early Entry guests enter the park earlier first through a different entrance.

How do I enter Super Nintendo World Japan early?

You need to hurry! Once the park opens the waiting queue will commence steadily filtering through the turnstiles, scanning into the park.

You will scan your entrance ticket QR code at the Universal Studios main gates to get into the theme park. You will then need to go straight to Super Nintendo World without delay.

Do people run to Super Nintendo World?

Yes, some people do but most don’t.

Depending on how soon you scan into Universal Studios Japan, you can walk briskly for several minutes to Super Nintendo World, or if you are further back in the queue you may need to power walk or even jog to make it in time!

You’ll come across several staff holding “Don’t Run” signs soon after you enter. These signs are ignored by some park-goers without penalty, however the majority of guests proceed in a rapid but safe fashion.

How do I get into Super Nintendo World if early entry is closed?

If you miss out on getting to Super Nintendo World before they close the free entry period in the morning, then go to Method 2!

How do I get into Super Nintendo World Japan before it opens? Watch this video

Watch my step by step video here which shows you exactly how it’s done. When to leave, where to go, what it’s like to arrive at the train station at Universal Studios Japan, join the general entry queue, enter the park and then how to get into Super Nintendo World before it opens.

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

How do I get to the entrance of Super Nintendo World Japan?

Use my Super Nintendo World rope-drop map!

Wondering which way to go? Well you can just follow the crowd when the time comes, but it’s always good to have an idea first!

Use my below map to get an idea of which way it is to Super Nintendo World Japan from the Universal Studios front entry.

Follow the blue path drawn on our map below to get directly from the entrance gates to the Super Nintendo World entrance.

Disadvantages to the early-entry method:

Early arrival is necessary and standing waiting time is around an hour-to an hour and a half.

Advantages of this method:

Entering Super Nintendo World immediately in the morning means short or shorter queues onto the SNW rides including Mario Kart, Donkey Kong and Yoshi.

Queues are particularly rapid first thing in the morning as there are no express passes or timed entries that early, plus the ride queues have not grown excessively yet.

You can also book a timed entry to re-enter Super Nintendo World again later if you wish.

Method 2 – Book Timed Entry to Super Nintendo World

This is another good way to get into Super Nintendo World without paying any extra money, and that is to book a free timed entry ticket.

The main thing to keep in mind is that booking Timed Entries into Super Nintendo World Japan by any method are that they are on a first-come-first-served basis. On busy days they can be gone by 9am. On quiet days they can be available all day.

How do I book a Timed Entry into Super Nintendo World Japan?

There are two free ways to book Super Nintendo World Japan Timed Entry tickets inside Universal Studios Japan.

1. Using the Timed Entry Kiosk machines, or
2. Booking on the official Universal Studios Japan App.

1. How to get Super Nintendo World Timed Entry tickets from the kiosk machines

There is a bank of several ticket machines inside Universal Studios. You can use these to get physical entry tickets into Super Nintendo World for free.

The sooner you do this in the morning, the better as no matter where you seek timed entry tickets they may run out early.

How do I use the Super Nintendo World ticket machines?

To operate the Super Nintendo World kiosks you’ll need to scan your entrance ticket QR code into the machine first and then make your selections. Attending staff can assist you to use the machines.

One advantage of obtaining your Timed Tickets from the kiosk machines is that you can opt to either get a ticket as soon as possible, or choose your desired time slot later. This differs from the app which issues you with the next available time.

The ticket machine will issue you with Super Nintendo World paper tickets printed for your chosen timed entry period. If times entry tickets are no longer available you may be able to obtain a Super Nintendo World standby ticket from the machines.

How do I get a timed entry ticket to Super Nintendo World if I don’t have a phone?

The Super Nintendo World kiosks are the solution to obtaining a Timed Entry or Standby Timed Entry ticket if you don’t have a mobile phone to book online. In this case you will need to have a print-out of your ticket QR code with you to scan into the machine (which you will need to enter the park anyhow).

Where are the Super Nintendo World Japan ticket kiosk machines located?

Use my below map to guide you to the Super Nintendo Ticket kiosks. You can also ask staff inside the front entrance which way to go.

The Super Nintendo World ticket kiosks are located in Universal Studios Japan Central Park.

The red line on the map below shows you the most direct route to get from the main front entrance to the Super Nintendo World Timed Entry kiosk machines.

2. How to book Super Nintendo World Timed Entry on the app

The Universal Studios Japan official app is used to book Timed Entries.

Using the official app to book your Super Nintendo Japan Timed Entry on your mobile phone is faster and easier than using the kiosk machines, as you can do it as you go – or while you are waiting in line for another ride.

Before arriving at Universal Studios Japan, be prepared by scanning your Universal Studios Japan entry ticket QR codes into the official USJ App. You’ll need to do this first in order to book Timed Entry in the App.

Be sure to still take a digital or printed copy of your entry QR code with you on the day to scan into the park. You cannot produce a copy of your tickets from the app even after your tickets are scanned into the app.

What happens if timed entry runs out?

If no more timed entries are available on busy days you may be able to try to get random entries on the Timed Entry lottery.

What is the Super Nintendo World Lottery?

The Super Nintendo World timed entry lottery is a random selection option sometimes offered on the Universal Studios Japan app instead of Timed Entries on high-demand days.
When you go to book a Timed Entry in the App you will either be offered a Standby Timed Entry, or you will receive a message saying you were not successful in the lottery. You can only attempt this once.
You can also attempt to obtain a Standby Ticket from the kiosk machines but you need to choose one method.

How can I eat at Kinopios Cafe?

You can only book once you are inside the park. You can read our Kinopios Cafe beginner’s guide here.

How do I scan my Universal Studios Japan ticket into the app? Watch this video

Watch my step-by-step video guide here which shows you exactly how to scan your Universal Studios Japan park entry ticket into the official USJ App.

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

What time do Super Nintendo World Timed Entries start?

Timed entries can start around 15-30 minutes after the general queue into the park is open.

What time should I arrive at Super Nintendo World?

It’s best to arrive at Universal Studios Japan around the official opening time.

Timed Entries do often run out, usually during the morning on high-demand days, so don’t arrive too late.

Once you have scanned into the park open the app to check for Timed Entries. They can start anytime – usually from around fifteen minutes to half an hour after the general gates open.

Timed Entries are allocated in chronological order, so the sooner you book, the earlier your booking is.

Can I book a Timed Entry to f I already have purchased a Timed Entry or Express Pass?

Yes, you can book another timed entry if they are still available.

How do I book a free Timed Entry into Super Nintendo World Japan? Watch this video

Watch my step-by-step video here which shows you exactly how to book a Timed Entry into Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.

Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here

Can I choose the time of my Super Nintendo World Timed Entry?

By ticket kiosk, yes, but by app booking, no.

A way to try to choose a time period by app is by making several attempts. You can try for a Timed Entry and if you are offered a time that’s earlier than you would like, then try again a little later. As times are issued in chronological order, if you see 10am but want to enter at 3pm, try again until it shows closer to your preferred time.

This method is not perfect – don’t leave it too long. On busy days blocks of times can go fast, so don’t leave booking a spot too long or you could miss out altogether!

Disadvantages to this method:

Timed entry will get you into Super Nintendo World for free, but it won’t get you on the rides quickly – you’ve lost the advantage of going directly to the Super Nintendo ride queue you want before the big queues back up.

When you arrive via Timed Entry Super Nintendo World has already been open for at least half a hour. You’ll need to wait your turn in the general queues, which by then can be around two hours long.

To avoid this you’ll either need to use Method 1, or buy an Express Ticket.

Advantages to this method:

You don’t have to arrive at Universal Studios Japan as early in the morning.

You can go straight to another popular ride in the morning such as the Harry Potter ride and enjoy the shorter, faster moving queue, as you go to Super Nintendo World later in the day when your timed entry period is allocated.

Bonus Method to get into SNW for free!

Method 3 – How to get into Super Nintendo World with no booking

Sometimes, if it isn’t a busy day they will allow guests to simply walk into Super Nintendo World in the evening if numbers inside have decreased sufficiently.

There’s no predicting this method, however you have a higher chance of it happening on weekdays which aren’t public holidays, or during inclement weather.

Where can I buy Universal Studios Japan tickets online?

Buying Universal Studios Japan park entrance tickets online for international visitors can be tricky.

There are often problems using international credit cards if you attempt to buy them on the official USJ website.

The way around this for most Australians and other international tourists is by buying your tickets using our partner Klook who are official Universal Studios Japan ticket sellers. 

Buy your Universal Studios Japan entrance tickets online at Klook here

If you prefer to buy Express Tickets to Super Nintendo World, you can buy them on Klook here

You can also get up to 10% off many Japan attractions on Klook by using my exclusive discount code at checkout:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook 

Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. Klook new customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Klook exclusions list here. This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?

We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!

Check Jetstar’s cheap Japan flights here

Universal Studios Japan Facebook Group

Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our huge Universal Studios Japan Facebook Group here!

You may also be interested in these other theme park holidays…

6 things at Tokyo Disneyland you won’t find at other Disney Parks!

See our pick of Tokyo Disneylands best rides here.

Read about our Aussie family Disneyland Park California holiday here.

Book tickets online to Walt Disney World in Orlando

If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider sharing it – we’d also love to hear about your own USJ experiences in the comments below!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

The post How to get into Super Nintendo World Japan without an express pass appeared first on Let's go Mum.