The Universal Studios Japan Express Pass offers the most rides – but is it value for money?
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.
Cheaper USJ VIP tickets
Use my exclusive discount promocode LETSGOMUM to save *USD $30 off (AUD $41) at checkout on any KKDay USJ VIP tours (and other Japan attractions, hotels etc. on KKDay). Please note this code will not discount USJ Express or Studio Passes:
*T&C: Booking Validity: 1 Jan 2026 – 31 Dec 2026. Travel Validity: 1 Jan 2026 – 31 Mar 2027.
Get 10% OFF capped at USD 30 – no minimum spend required. Each user can use 6 times. Product terms and conditions apply. KKday reserves the right to amend or vary the terms and conditions without prior notice.
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 KKDay website 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.
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!
Get up to 10% off Japan attractions on Klook!
Klook are official Universal Studios Japan ticket sellers. In addition to being able to purchase USJ Studio Passes online from Klook, you can also get up to 10% off many Japan attractions on Klook (not USJ tickets) by using my exclusive discount code at checkout:
LETSGOMUMKLOOK
Klook Partner. Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 3 times use. New customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Find the exclusions list here.
Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!
