What You’ll Learn in This Article
- USJ crowd forecasts for October 2026, including the busiest days and the best days to visit
- Predicted park opening times
- Efficient touring strategies and recommended restaurants even on crowded days
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The Halloween event and Horror Nights are underway! October is the busiest month of the year.
Choose a relatively less crowded day whenever possible and enjoy your visit.
USJ Crowd Forecast for October 2026
Even on weekdays, many guests arrive in the evening after school or work.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in late October are expected to be exceptionally crowded.
For admission dates from September 1 onward, ticket prices may rise as sales increase on popular dates. Buying early can save you money.
| Visit date | Crowd forecast |
Park hours |
Opening forecast |
Adult price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1 (Thu) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 2 (Fri) |
Crowded | – | 7:30-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 3 (Sat) |
Crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 4 (Sun) |
Crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 5 (Mon) |
Moderate | – | 7:30-8:15 | – |
| Oct. 6 (Tue) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 7 (Wed) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 8 (Thu) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 9 (Fri) |
Crowded | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 10 (Sat) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 11 (Sun) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 12 (Mon) |
Crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 13 (Tue) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 14 (Wed) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 15 (Thu) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 16 (Fri) |
Crowded | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 17 (Sat) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 18 (Sun) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 19 (Mon) |
Crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 20 (Tue) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 21 (Wed) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 22 (Thu) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 23 (Fri) |
Crowded | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 24 (Sat) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-7:45 | – |
| Oct. 25 (Sun) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-7:45 | – |
| Oct. 26 (Mon) |
Crowded | – | 7:15-8:00 | – |
| Oct. 27 (Tue) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 28 (Wed) |
Moderate | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 29 (Thu) |
Crowded | – | 7:45-8:30 | – |
| Oct. 30 (Fri) |
Extremely crowded | – | 7:15-7:45 | – |
| Oct. 31 (Sat) |
Exceptionally crowded | – | 7:15-7:45 | – |
Annual Pass exclusion dates
October 3–5, 10–12, 17–19, 23–26, and 30–31
Note that some Mondays and Fridays are also exclusion dates.
Recommended touring plan
[usj_calendar months=”4″]
Which is more crowded, Saturday or Sunday?
Crowd levels do not differ much between Saturdays and Sundays.
Sundays generally attract slightly more guests. However, June, September, and October are common months for school sports days and class observation days, so during those periods Saturdays tend to be more crowded. Sunday attendance drops as a result.
During Halloween season, the park closes late, but many guests leave before 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Some Halloween-season Saturdays have park hours until 10:00 p.m., so Saturdays become crowded after 3:00 p.m. with guests entering in the afternoon and staying into the night.
Sundays are crowded in the morning, but the park should begin clearing out after 6:30 p.m.
During the Christmas season, the park usually closes around 9:00 p.m., so a later visit is recommended for seeing the Christmas tree with smaller crowds.
Which weekdays are least crowded?
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are less crowded than other days.
Mondays can be more crowded than weekends when elementary or middle schools hold makeup holidays after weekend events.
Fridays attract many travelers from farther away and tend to be crowded.
During Halloween season, crowds become especially heavy from Friday evening onward.
USJ Park Opening Times
USJ opens about 5 to 90 minutes earlier than the time announced on its official website on most days.
The final opening time may sometimes be moved up at short notice based on morning crowds. In the past, Early Park In guests were notified of the early opening time three days in advance, and moving crew start times earlier also requires decisions and communication. This suggests that USJ estimates crowd levels and sets opening times based on factors such as occupancy at official USJ hotels, advance sales of USJ tickets, and the weather forecast.
Early Park In has ended.
If the forecast changes from clear skies to rain a few days before an expected busy day, the park may still open early even when the entrance is very quiet that morning.
First-time visitors may therefore find it difficult to know the actual opening time.
Use this site’s forecast as a reference.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Timed-Entry Ticket Availability and Crowds
To enter SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, you need a free Area Timed Entry Ticket, an Express Pass, or an admission guarantee included with a JTB hotel package.
Timed-entry tickets specify when you may enter the area, but on crowded days the assigned time may be several hours later.
Enter the park as early as possible and obtain your timed-entry ticket immediately after admission.
Once timed-entry tickets run out, distribution switches to lottery tickets.
The odds of winning the lottery are very low.
See the following guide for instructions and typical distribution end times.
When arriving later in the day, purchasing an Express Pass is recommended to secure entry.
Attractions With Shorter Waits on Crowded Days
Here are attractions that may remain less crowded or have relatively short waits even on busy days.
Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream
Even on extremely crowded days, the wait rarely exceeds 30 minutes.
Hogwarts Castle Walk
This attraction lets you walk through Hogwarts Castle and experience the world of Harry Potter.
WaterWorld
This show attraction presents movie stunts right in front of you in a venue that seats more than 3,000 guests.
Because performances have fixed start times, you may be able to enter shortly before the show begins if admission has not been restricted.
On crowded days, arriving at least 30 minutes early is recommended.
Attractions Eligible for Yoyakunori
Universal Wonderland attractions such as The Flying Snoopy, Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard, and Moppy’s Balloon Trip offer free timed tickets called “Yoyakunori.”
Distribution may end early on crowded days, so soon after entering the park, use the Yoyakunori ticket machine near the attraction you want to experience.
Recommended USJ Restaurants on Crowded Days
Restaurants and food carts also develop lines on crowded days.
When attraction waits are already long, you will want to avoid a long wait for lunch as well.
Here are restaurants recommended for crowded days.
Use Priority Seating to reserve a restaurant time
Three USJ restaurants allow guests to reserve a visit time in advance.
An anniversary cake can also be ordered as an option.
This is not a seat reservation. When you arrive during the reserved time window, you receive priority seating as soon as a table becomes available.
On some crowded days, you may also register at the restaurant entrance and receive an automated phone call when your turn approaches, allowing you to wait elsewhere briefly before being seated.
USJ restaurant reservation page — official
Park Side Grille
This restaurant serves authentic aged beef and beer.
In addition to lunch, you can relax in a spacious setting and enjoy desserts such as parfaits.
Recommended restaurants without reservations
Want to eat quickly at a less crowded restaurant?
Here are some recommended options.
Discovery Restaurant
Located toward the back of the park, this restaurant is a relatively overlooked option.
Mel’s Drive-In
Located near Hollywood Dream – The Ride, this restaurant also faces a stage where the Power of Pop singing show is performed.
Because it serves hamburgers, orders come out quickly. Even when the indoor seating is full, you can eat on the terrace or in the nearby mask-free zone by the lagoon benches, making it a good choice for a quick meal.
Recommended restaurants to visit during off-peak hours
Avoiding the main restaurant rush from about 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. makes it easier to get in smoothly even on crowded days.
For popular restaurants, visit during the 11:00 a.m. hour or after 1:30 p.m.
Happiness Cafe
Why certain days become crowded
Important Notes and Disclaimer for the USJ Crowd Forecast
This forecast was independently prepared by Happyell Co., Ltd.
Actual crowd levels may differ substantially due to factors beyond our knowledge, including school trips and other group visits, severe weather, social conditions, and special events announced at short notice.
We do not provide compensation for losses or other damages resulting from an inaccurate forecast. Please use this information only as a reference.
This forecast is not an announcement by USJ LLC. If it proves inaccurate, please do not submit complaints or questions about the forecast to the USJ call center or park crew.
