Newly up to date Common Studios Japan information for these heading there in 2022!
Should you’re travelling to Osaka, spending at the very least a day at Common Studios Japan (USJ) is a should! Whether or not you’re a rollercoaster-loving particular person, couple, household with children, or Harry Potter fan, there’s one thing for everybody.
We final visited Common Studios Japan in 2017 and it’s been 5 years since we got here again! We’re glad to say that the majority of our beloved points of interest are nonetheless there like Minion Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
However we have been most trying ahead to the latest addition of Tremendous Nintendo World — which has efficiently reworked us into literal sport characters.
To completely maximise your time, right here’s our complete USJ information to planning an ideal day on the theme park.
The issue with USJ is that it’s EXTREMELY fashionable with each native Japanese and international vacationers. Plan your day wrongly and also you would possibly find yourself caught within the queues for hours as a substitute of having fun with the rides.
That can assist you out, I’ve cut up this information into three foremost sections: Pre-USJ Planning, USJ Day Information, and Incessantly Requested Questions. Pay shut consideration to Part One!
Be aware: Will strive updating this incessantly so it ought to keep related!
See additionally: JR Cross Japan Funds Itinerary: 8 Days 9 Cities for below $1.1k incl. flights and lodging
Pre-USJ Planning
1) Purchase your USJ tickets prematurely — Save money and time
Tickets might be purchased on the day itself on the entrance counter. However except you’re a BIG FAN of queuing, please save your self a while and purchase your USJ tickets beforehand. Don’t be one of many clueless vacationers caught within the queue lengthy after the park has opened.
There are a number of methods to get your tickets on-line, both by means of the official Common Studios Japan ticketing web site or by way of authorised companions like Klook. We most popular the latter as the method was fuss-free and we have been issued an e-ticket immediately. We merely needed to scan the QR code on the automated entrance gantry. Speak about skipping the queues!
One of the best half although, is that the retail worth is actually the identical!
– Single day studio move at USJ ticketing sales space: ¥8400 or ~S$80
– Single day studio move by way of Klook: ~S$80
*Professional-tip: For many who need slightly extra time, there’s a brand new 1.5day USJ Cross. Begin at 3PM on the primary day, and benefit from the park for the whole second day.
2) Finest time to go to – Wednesdays & Thursdays are greatest
In case your journey schedule permits, attempt to plan your go to to Common Studios Japan in the midst of the week. The weekends are normally notoriously crowded, with an inflow of Japanese vacationers.
In accordance with park officers, the times close to the weekends may also be fairly packed as locals might take depart for an extended weekend, and faculties might ship college students on excursions to USJ.
In fact please keep away from holidays! Right here’s an inventory of Japanese public holidays.
3) Resolve whether or not you want the USJ Categorical Cross
The Flying Dinosaur Journey
Should you learn this information fastidiously and comply with the information from begin to finish, there’s a superb probability that you’ll not want the USJ Categorical Cross.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re travelling in an enormous group or unable to keep away from the height days of the week, I positively recommend getting them to have extra time having fun with the park.
USJ Categorical Cross
This principally provides you the extremely coveted timed-entry ticket to Tremendous Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (so that you don’t must run throughout the park to gather your timed ticket on busy days). It permits you to skip the queues for sure rides relying on the sort of USJ Categorical Cross you get.
One thing to notice is that the worth of the USJ Categorical Cross ranges from ¥6,800-¥10,800 relying on demand and provide — you should buy your USJ Categorical Cross 4 or USJ Categorical Cross 7 from Klook.
Sadly magic received’t aid you lower the queues. Solely the USJ Categorical Cross can.
4) Resolve in your route — Gaming, Journey, Harry Potter, or Cute?
For many who didn’t get the USJ Categorical Passes, listed here are 4 attainable USJ itineraries or experience routes you may comply with to maximise your time on the park.
I’ve cut up them by pursuits so even when the park is packed, at the very least you get to expertise the issues you’re most thinking about!
For the routes beneath, prioritise the primary three rides earlier than slowing right down to discover the decor. Should you’re quick, it’s best to have the ability to end the primary two rides with minimal queuing and the third with a reasonably quick queue time.
Gaming Route
For all Tremendous Mario players on the market.
Begin:
– Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem
– Yoshi’s Journey
– Discover Tremendous Nintendo World
– The Flying Dinosaur
– Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
– Hollywood Dream The Journey: Backdrop
– Jaws
– Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey
Journey Route
For the joys seekers who love rollercoasters.
Begin:
– Hollywood Dream The Journey: Backdrop
– The Flying Dinosaur
– Jurassic Park: The Journey
– Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
– Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem
– Jaws
– Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter Fan Route
Expecto a grand welcome at Hogwarts fort.
Begin:
– Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey
– Discover The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
– The Flying Dinosaur
– Jurassic Park: The Journey
– Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
– Discover Hollywood Zone
– Jaws
– Discover Tremendous Nintendo World
Cute Stuff Route
For many who love the Minions, Whats up Kitty, Snoopy or Sesame Avenue.
Begin:
– Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
– Discover Minion Park
– The Flying Dinosaur
– Discover Tremendous Nintendo World
– Discover Hollywood Zone
– Whats up Kitty Trend Avenue & Snoopy Studios (you may come right here anytime as queues are typically quick)
– Jaws
– Discover The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Alternatively, you may plan your individual route utilizing the USJ Park Map. Try the Exhibits & Sights Timetable too, as timings and availability are topic to vary from everyday!
*Professional-tip: The varied picture factors clear up close to showtimes and in direction of the night. So don’t waste time queuing for them within the first half of the day if the road is lengthy.
5) The place to remain close to Common Studios Japan
Photograph credit score: Klook
If you wish to get to Common Studios Japan early and simply, it’s best to remain close to the park. There are a few official resorts simply exterior the park, reminiscent of The Park Entrance Lodge which boasts a beautiful night time view of the park.
For these on a price range like us, you may as well think about staying at J-Hoppers Osaka Common Hostel, which is just one JR cease (Ajikawaguchi Station) or a 15mins stroll away.
It’s a extremely stunning hostel, low-cost, and tremendous handy for attending to and away from USJ. Particularly liked the pleasant employees and film screenings each night time!
USJ Day Information
6) Arrive earlier than the gates open — 1hr forward
Attempt to not crash something in your approach to USJ.
Do strive arriving about an hour earlier than the gates open. Even then, count on a small queue in entrance of you. The Japanese college students are fairly hardcore in the case of queueing! Slightly bit like Singaporeans. 😛
Common Studios Japan’s opening hours differ, so verify the official web site for calendar timings.
Too dangerous the Hogwarts Categorical can’t take you straight into USJ.
Instructions to Common Studios Japan:
By Practice
Take the JR Yumesaki Line (often known as JR Sakurajima Line) to Common Metropolis Station. Common Studios Japan is only a 5mins stroll from the station.
By Bus
Until you’re coming straight from the airport, I don’t advocate taking a bus. Buses from Kansai Worldwide Airport take 35-75 minutes (¥1600) relying on site visitors.
By Ferry
Should you purchased the Osaka Superb Cross (which is an effective way to discover Osaka), you may take the “Captain Line” without cost (regular worth ¥800) from Kaiyukan West Pier (close to Osaka Aquarium) to Common Metropolis Port in 10 minutes.
The draw back is that the ferry service solely begins working at 9:30AM. It’s a good different for getting away from USJ if you happen to depart earlier than 8PM although!
7) Seize a free timed entry ticket for fashionable points of interest
We extremely advocate getting a timed entry ticket for points of interest you’d wanna catch, particularly when it’s crowded and queues are lengthy.
Some areas, reminiscent of Tremendous Nintendo World, additionally received’t mean you can enter except you’ve an entry ticket so it’s greatest to verify beforehand!
By getting a timed ticket, you’re assured of an entry time into the themed zone. You’ll have a one-hour window to enter the realm, and you may keep for so long as you need after you’re in! Be aware that the timed ticket is just legitimate as soon as, and isn’t relevant for re-entry.
Beforehand, we’d must queue at a ticketing web site inside USJ at Central Park to acquire our timed ticket, however now you may simply do it on the official USJ app. One of the best half? It’s completely free.
8) Keep on with the plan however be versatile
Should you adopted level 4, it’s best to have a sport plan in thoughts earlier than getting into the park.
Whereas it’s good to stay to the plan, hold an eye fixed out for the digital signboards that present the queue instances across the park or simply verify the official Common Studios Japan app. You by no means know as a preferred attraction would possibly grow to be accessible for no matter motive!
9) Queue at Single Rider Lanes
Jurassic Park: The Journey
Jaws
Until you really want to take the experience with your folks or household, at all times queue at Single Rider Lanes if the ready time is lengthy. The Japanese choose sticking collectively, so the Single Rider Lanes are usually emptier and transfer quite a bit sooner.
Who is aware of, you would possibly simply make a brand new good friend with a stranger screaming your lungs out collectively.
10) Don’t be shy — ask for stickers
Minion stickers in entrance of the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Journey.
Souvenirs and merchandise from Common Studios Japan might be fairly expensive. In order for you one thing small as a souvenir, do ask the pleasant employees for stickers! They’ll be very happy to oblige.
In case they will’t perceive your English, do this with a BIG SMILE:
すみません。ステッカーがありますか？
Sumimasen. Sutekkā ga arimasu ka?
(Translation: Excuse me, do you’ve stickers?)
*Professional-tip: The Minion stickers can solely be obtained in Minion Park!
Alternatively you may go window buying within the merchandise outlets.
11) Keep on with the centre in Theatre Exhibits
For the very best seats in the home, attempt to shuffle your approach to the center of the ready room when watching Theatre Exhibits. The employees will usher visitors from left to proper. By standing within the center, you’ll find yourself near the centre of the stage for a greater expertise!
12) Arrive early for fashionable avenue exhibits & parades
Harry Potter Wand Magic Present.
Should you’re thinking about catching any of the parades, plan to reach at the very least half-hour earlier than the beginning of the present to get an excellent view. On our earlier journey, we needed to catch the Harry Potter Expecto Patronum Night time Present twice as a result of our spots have been so dangerous.
13) Discover your environment
A go to to Common Studios Japan isn’t solely concerning the rides. It’s concerning the ambiance and vibe too! A variety of consideration has truly been put into the decor so bear in mind to discover your environment.
We particularly liked the “Financial institution of Evil” in Minion Park the place you may withdraw cash from “another person’s” checking account.
You can too hear Moaning Myrtle crying within the women rest room inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Do share with us different enjoyable particulars you uncovered within the feedback beneath. 🙂
14) Dinner at Common Metropolis Stroll
Should you don’t need to eat in USJ, there are many eating places for all budgets simply exterior at Common Metropolis Stroll. The park closes between 7-9PM relying on the day, so you may simply finish the day with a meal after maximising your time within the park.
We had dinner at Udon Kineya Mugimaru on the primary flooring, which serves hearty and low-cost udon.
Incessantly Requested Questions for USJ
Are the rides and exhibits in English?
Sadly, virtually all of the rides and points of interest are in Japanese. It’s slightly odd listening to Harry Potter in Japanese although. Nonetheless, the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem experience has English subtitles!
Banana? Minion discuss might be simpler to know than the exhibits.
Ought to I purchase a 1 day or 2 day USJ Studio Cross?
Personally I’ll get the 1 day USJ Studio Cross as a result of I wish to spend extra time exploring different components of the Kansai area. However if you happen to prefer to take issues gradual, it’s additionally high-quality to get a 2 day USJ Studio Cross.
Learn additionally: 8-Day Japan Itinerary: 9 Cities in Kansai for Underneath S$900
Can I re-enter the park after heading exterior for lunch?
You’ll not be allowed to re-enter the park. I’m certain in case you have a real “emergency”, the employees will have the ability to make particular preparations although.
*Professional-tip: We recommend grabbing breakfast from Lawson earlier than getting into the park, munch on snacks for lunch, and have dinner at Common Metropolis Stroll.
Minion bao.
Turkey Leg.
What if I would like to vary my USJ Ticket dates?
Sadly, your USJ tickets and categorical passes are legitimate solely on the required date so remember to plan your itinerary properly to keep away from any cancellations!
What are your favorite points of interest in USJ?
Definitely, Tremendous Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park, and Hollywood Dream Backdrop the experience!
We love Tremendous Nintendo World and Harry Potter a lot that we even purchased wristbands and wands at Ollivanders to work together with totally different zones throughout the areas.
Minion Park however was only a bunch of cuteness. Make sure you dangle round for the Minion Parade and photo-taking ops. Hollywood Dream Backdrop is solely the very best experience within the park.
What snacks ought to I strive in USJ?
Mario’s Cap Strawberry Shortcake and Luigi’s Cap No-Bake Grape Cheesecake.
Mario’s/Lugi’s Cap Pancake Sandwich, Minion Cookies at Minion Park (although it’s too cute to eat), and frozen Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Minion Cookies.
Butterbeer! Sadly it’s non-alcoholic.
Yummm, possibly it’s time to e-book your tickets to Common Studios Japan now 😉
Learn additionally: Common Cool Japan 2018: 4 New Sights at Common Studios Japan To Relive Your Childhood Nostalgia
Hope you discovered our final USJ information and ideas for planning a magical expertise helpful. Do share with us your ideas and expertise within the feedback part beneath!
This put up is dropped at you by Klook.
