Here’s everything you need to know about USJ’s Halloween Horror Nights to plan your scary visit – or just how to avoid those zombies!
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.
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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.
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!
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