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. KKDay is an official USJ ticket seller who get your dates right and easily accept most foreign credit cards. Buy your official Studio Passes from KKDay 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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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.

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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!

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