What You’ll Learn in This Article
- What USJ fan terms such as “inpa,” “guri,” and “jizo” mean
- Strategies and useful tips for enjoying USJ efficiently
- How to enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and popular attractions
USJ hacks, useful tips, trivia, and fan knowledge are introduced here in a collection of 100.
Knowing these tips may help you enjoy a more rewarding, fun-filled day at USJ for less.
There is a lot of information, so save this page to your favorites or bookmarks and take your time reading it.
TV directors and assistant directors looking for material they can use in a broadcast are welcome to contact us.
We have extensive experience providing program support and appearing on television.
USJ Fun Facts: Beginner Level
How to Reduce Attraction Wait Times
See wait-time forecasts here
Paid: Buy an Express Pass
An Express Pass is a ticket that can dramatically shorten attraction wait times.
Many passes bundle admission to four or seven attractions in various combinations.
For a seven-attraction package, prices vary by admission date from about $62.50 to $187.50.
When waiting in regular lines, doing about seven attractions in one day is already a good result. With an Express Pass, you may be able to enjoy twice as many—up to 14 attractions.
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・Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (waits are long even on quieter days)
・Mine-Cart Madness (waits are long even on quieter days)
Free: Use Yoyakunori
Attractions in Universal Wonderland offer free timed-entry tickets.
They let you enjoy kid-friendly attractions with shorter waits.
Reserve a time through the app or at an on-site ticket machine.
Free: Use Single Rider
On attractions where two to five people normally sit in each row, riding alone can greatly shorten your wait.
Tell a crew member at the attraction entrance that you would like to use Single Rider, and they will direct you to the dedicated lane.
Depending on timing, the wait may be less than half the regular queue, though at other times it can be almost the same.
The official USJ app does not show Single Rider wait times.
Check the display at the attraction entrance.
This service is intended for solo riders. If you visit with two or more people, you will not be seated together, so keep that in mind.
Free: Plan Your Route Strategically
Attraction waits can vary greatly just after opening, in the morning, at lunchtime, during and immediately after parades, in the evening, and at night.
Some attractions, such as Mario Kart, may have nearly the same wait throughout the day except right after opening, but many attractions fluctuate by time of day.
Try to visit when waits are likely to be shorter.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Tips
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is one area inside USJ.
It has only one entrance and exit.
To enter, you generally need to obtain a free Area Timed Entry Ticket through the official app after entering the park.
Some higher-priced Express Passes that reduce attraction waits also include guaranteed entry to the area.
Without one of these, you cannot enter the area, ride Mario Kart, or dine at Kinopio’s Cafe.
On some days, free timed-entry tickets run out about 30 minutes after USJ opens.
We recommend lining up one to two hours before the posted opening time.
But do not worry: on crowded days, even when the posted opening time is 8:00 a.m., the park often opens around 7:15 a.m.
USJ Official Hotels
USJ does not operate any hotels directly. Instead, seven partner hotels are located near Universal City Station and USJ.
LIBER HOTEL OSAKA near Sakurajima Station was previously a partner hotel, but it stopped being one shortly before Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Other hotels in Osaka City have been selected as USJ Alliance Hotels, where USJ tickets can also be purchased at the front desk.
USJ Associate Hotels include properties outside Osaka City, such as in Kobe, and these hotels also sell USJ tickets at the front desk.
How to Enjoy a Rainy Day
A rainy forecast can be disappointing when you have been looking forward to USJ, and some people may even wonder whether to go.
USJ has many indoor attractions and shows, so there is plenty you can enjoy without getting wet during the experience.
You will still be moving outdoors, however, so bring an umbrella.
Outdoor attractions often continue operating unless there are strong winds or lightning nearby, though you will get wet.
Rainy days can also have an upside: fewer annual passholders and other visitors may come, which can shorten waits.
(Indoor attractions such as Mario Kart may become more crowded as people concentrate there.)
Outdoor shows and parades may be canceled when it rains.
USJ and “Uniba” Terms
This section collects USJ fan slang and enthusiast terms that can make it easier to find Universal Studios Japan information on social media such as X, Instagram, and TikTok.
General Park Terms
These terms are used throughout USJ.
Uniba
A Japanese abbreviation for Universal Studios Japan, commonly used by people in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kobe. Some attractions even say “Uniba,” so it is an officially recognized USJ nickname.
Example usage:
・Let’s go to Uniba!
・When are you going to Uniba?
Crew
The employees, or staff, who work at USJ.
Most USJ employees guests see are part-time, hourly, or contract workers.
It is rare to see full-time corporate employees.
Around 10,000 crew members work at USJ.
Film-production staff are called a “crew,” and because USJ began as a Hollywood movie-themed park, its staff are also called crew members.
Cast
The performers who appear in dances and shows.
At Disneyland, part-time employees are called cast members, which can be a little confusing.
At USJ, performers may also be called entertainers or dancers.
Guest
A visitor to the park.
Inpa (In)
Entering the USJ park, meaning the moment you pass through the entrance gate.
Example usage:
・I just entered the park.
・I’m going to USJ tomorrow.
Aupa
Leaving through a USJ exit.
Example usage:
・I left the park for today.
・I’ll leave after watching the show.
Admission Restrictions
When USJ approaches its maximum attendance, the entrance gates may close or admit only a small number of guests very slowly.
This used to happen a few days each year, but recently ticket sales have generally been stopped in advance and marked sold out to avoid same-day entry restrictions.
Globe
The large globe at the entrance.
Its official name is the Universal Globe.
Canopy
The covered arcade near the entrance.
Gramercy
Gramercy Park is the full name.
It is now a grassy plaza used for stage shows.
When no show is being held, it serves as a rest area and photo spot.
Lagoon
The lake in the center of the park.
Example usage:
・I’m sitting on a bench by the lagoon.
・I’m on the lagoon side of the rose garden.
Guesusa
Short for Guest Service Center.
This is where you go for help with lost items, theft, or other problems.
Hardcore USJ Fans, Hardcore Uniba Fans
Devoted fans and enthusiasts who love USJ.
People whose lives revolve around USJ.
Show Terms
Terms used in connection with parades and shows.
Guri
Short for greeting.
Guests can take commemorative photos, hug, and interact with characters.
There are free greetings, where guests take turns informally, and organized greetings, where crew members guide one group at a time in a set order and each group has a fixed photo time.
A rain greeting is held when a show cannot be performed because of rain or other bad weather, allowing guests to take photos with the dancers or characters.
You can get much closer to dancers than you normally can during a show.
Rain Cancel
A show cancellation caused by rain.
Naturally, fans hope this does not happen.
Even after a show has begun, if rain starts and a cancellation is declared, crew members cross their arms and the show ends immediately.
Performers may leave after adding improvised lines that are different from the normal script.
Depending on the reason, fans use terms such as “heat cancel,” “cold cancel,” and “system adjustment.”
Heat cancel: canceled for safety because of high summer temperatures (possibly from around 33–35°C).
Cold cancel: canceled for safety because of very low winter temperatures (possibly from around 3–5°C).
Position 1, Position 2
The NO LIMIT Parade stops twice along its route for Party Time, when guests can dance together with performers and characters.
The stopping areas are called Position 1 and Position 2.
Example usage:
・Watch the parade at Position 1, then move to Position 4.
・I’m holding a spot near Pokémon at Position 2.
With Stops, Without Stops
The NO LIMIT Parade normally stops twice, but it may not stop in light rain or when temperatures are close to the heat-cancellation threshold.
This shortens the parade.
Jizo
Waiting in one place for hours to secure a good viewing spot for a show or parade.
People sometimes carry a lot of gear for this long wait.
You may make friends with nearby guests while waiting.
On the other hand, arguments can also happen.
Example usage:
・A chair for holding a spot
・I’ve been holding this spot since morning
Front Row
Being at the very front of the stage.
Many people aim for the first row when filming so that other guests’ heads or character headbands do not appear in the shot.
Example usage:
・I’m holding a front-row spot
Seeing Performers Off
At USJ, performers moving from a stage to an off-set area pass along guest walkways to an entrance or exit gate.
After a show ends, fans often film them as they leave or cheer them on.
USJ sometimes marks a line where guests should stand so this send-off can happen safely and smoothly.
Stage Right and Stage Left
These are theater terms used beyond USJ as well.
When guests face the stage, the left side is called stage right and the right side is called stage left.
The terms are based on the performer’s perspective, which is opposite the audience’s, and help everyone identify locations clearly.
Example usage:
・My favorite performer is on stage right today.
・I’m holding a spot on stage left.
Show Schedule
The schedule for shows.
Printed show schedules used to be distributed at the USJ entrance and elsewhere.
Today, schedules are checked in the app.
Suta-Suta
Short for Studio Stars Restaurant.
It sometimes becomes a themed restaurant during collaboration events.
Sanresu
Short for Sanji’s Restaurant, where Sanji from ONE PIECE serves the food.
Example usage:
・Photos from the first Sanji’s Restaurant seating
Misuresu
Short for the mystery restaurant where Detective Conan characters appear and guests solve a case together with Conan.
Example usage:
・Taking photos at the mystery restaurant is difficult.
USJ Attraction Terms
Terms used for attractions.
Single
Short for Single Rider.
Single Rider is a service that fills an empty seat on rides designed for groups, such as four-person vehicles, and it often offers a shorter wait than the regular line.
Queue Line
At USJ, many people may simply say “waiting line.”
It is the line you stand in for an attraction.
Temporary Suspension
An attraction temporarily stops operating while safety checks or other responses are carried out because of bad weather, a system issue, a guest’s dropped item, another incident, or similar circumstances.
Operations resume when conditions improve.
USJ Enthusiast and Crew Terms
On Set and Off Set
On set is an area where guests are present.
Off set is the behind-the-scenes area of USJ that guests cannot enter.
It includes crew and character break rooms, known as crew cafés, as well as wardrobe facilities.
I have also entered off-set areas several times for television shoots.
Crew members apparently have an opportunity to experience the on-set side.
※The experience date is assigned and certain rules apply.
(Details are not public.)
Gate 13
A gate between the on-set and off-set areas in the space between the canopy and Hollywood Dream.
The name “Gate 13” can be seen only at limited times, such as during Halloween Horror Nights.
Every entrance and exit has a gate number, but those numbers are not publicly disclosed.
Gate 14
The gate beside the restroom closest to the USJ entrance.
Woody Woodpecker and Winnie Woodpecker, who greet guests near the park entrance, often appear here.
USJ History
USJ opened on March 31, 2001.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on July 15, 2014.
Minion Park opened on April 21, 2017.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opened on March 18, 2021.
Donkey Kong Country opened in 2024.
Except for Minion Park, these areas were built by converting Universal Studios Japan parking lots into park space, expanding the park’s footprint.
The following article covers attraction opening and closing dates as well as scenes from the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th anniversary events.
For 100 especially deep-cut facts, see the Uniba Professor Challenge here.
Strategies for Enjoying USJ
See this article for ways to avoid common first-time visitor mistakes.
Five Ways to Save Up to $7.50 on Admission
USJ admission can feel a little expensive compared with amusement parks and aquariums.
Of course, everyone wants to pay as little as possible!
You may be wondering whether there is a cheaper way to buy tickets.
With the best-value method, adults can save as much as $7.50.
(Children of elementary-school age and younger receive a $3.13 discount.)
The following article explains the method in detail.
An Efficient Route for Riding 10 Attractions in One Day
Many visitors want to experience as many attractions as possible at USJ.
Here are several useful tips.
1) Go to attractions with long waits immediately after the park opens.
2) Ride The Flying Dinosaur and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at night.
Attractions far from the entrance tend to become less crowded as closing time approaches.
3) Avoid Hollywood Dream – The Ride near closing time.
Unlike the previous examples, this popular attraction is closest to the entrance and tends to become more crowded near closing.
4) Get an Area Timed Entry Ticket for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD in the app.
A timed-entry ticket is required on weekends and busy weekdays.
You can obtain one through the official USJ app, so install it before your visit.
See the following article for the latest recommended touring plan.
・How to Enjoy Halloween Horror Nights with Smaller Crowds
Halloween Horror Nights is extremely crowded on weekends and public holidays.
In particular, Street Zombies is very crowded at its 6:00 p.m. start time.
For Street Zombies, the 7:00 p.m. hour is recommended on weekdays and the 8:00 p.m. hour on weekends.
Many horror attractions require timed-entry tickets, so obtain them as soon as you enter the park.
Many horror attractions can be experienced from the morning, so start early.
・Which Month Is Best? Recommended Ways to Enjoy Each Season
What month is best for USJ?
I visit several times every month and believe any time can be fun, but for people who may not return for several years, I recommend mid-September through early October.
This is the lively Halloween season, with many attractions and costumed guests, so you can fully enjoy USJ’s atmosphere.
From winter through summer, Universal Cool Japan also brings attractions, restaurants, and food collaborations with anime and games, making it especially appealing to anime and game fans.
・What Time Should You Arrive? Why Does the Park Open Early?
Except during the quietest season, USJ usually opens 15 minutes to about one hour earlier than the posted time.
On exceptionally crowded days, it may open around two hours early.
When the park opens, popular attractions are operating, but less popular morning attractions may not yet be running.
Often, only restaurants near the entrance are open early.
Popular collaboration restaurants are often open from an earlier time.
・Three Things to Know Before Your First USJ Visit
1) At USJ, visitors who plan their route well can keep waits short, while others spend a long time in lines and miss many attractions and shows. Learn an efficient touring strategy.
2) On some days, USJ opens more than one hour before the posted time.
Check the predicted opening time.
3) Wear comfortable walking shoes. You may walk more than 10,000 steps.
・How Much Does a USJ Visit Cost? What Budget Should You Plan?
The total varies depending on whether the visit is for a child in junior high school or older, or for an adult enjoying the park.
As a basic guide, budget for:
・Admission
・Meals
・Souvenirs
・Train fare and other transportation, or parking
See the following article for detailed amounts.
・What Is the Special Student-Discount Campaign?
USJ sometimes runs a limited-time discount campaign exclusively for students.
It is often offered in February and March each year.
This campaign is recommended for high school and university students deciding where to go on a graduation trip.
・Where Are the Less Crowded and Most Crowded Restrooms?
On busy days, long restroom waits can be frustrating.
There are many less crowded restrooms, but some are hard to find, so check this map.
・Want Cheaper Parking? Recommended Parking Lot Ranking
The official parking lot offers a discount to annual passholders.
Even then, nearby parking lots are generally cheaper.
We have collected our recommended low-cost options.
■SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Tips and Tricks
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, USJ’s area where guests can step into Mario’s world, is the park’s most popular area.
It has enough activities to fill half a day, but without some advance knowledge, you may not know how to make the most of it.
How to Ride Mario Kart Repeatedly in a Short Time
Mario Kart often has a long wait, and simply walking through the enormous interior of Bowser’s Castle takes time.
There is, however, a way to experience it much more quickly.
At the entrance to Bowser’s Castle, tell the crew member before the stairs that you would like to use Single Rider.
You cannot ride with your companions, but this route bypasses much of the castle and takes you quickly to the boarding area.
It also skips important explanations that first-time riders need, including how to play Mario Kart, so ride through the regular queue at least once.
Weekday evenings are also very quiet.
During Halloween Horror Nights, the attraction can be nearly empty.
Riding at these times lets you enjoy it repeatedly in a short period.
・How to Collect Keys Efficiently for the Bowser Jr. Battle
To battle Bowser Jr., you must win three Key Challenges and collect three keys.
Each Key Challenge can have a wait, and you may fail a challenge.
As a result, reaching the Bowser Jr. battle can take time.
Here are several ways to collect keys efficiently.
・Choose multiplayer Key Challenges to reduce waiting.
・Thwomp Panel Panic usually has a shorter wait.
・Collect keys during quieter evening or nighttime hours.
・After battling Bowser Jr. once, you can earn one key per day by using the binoculars to find Bowser’s airship.
(After leaving the gift shop at the Mario Kart attraction exit, walk along the left side to find binoculars in a narrow area.
※The binoculars along the main walkway do not award a key.)
・Five Common Mistakes for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD First-Timers
・A timed-entry ticket is often required to enter the area. Obtain one as soon as you enter USJ.
Make sure everyone in your group has entered the park before you obtain it. If a family member or friend arrives late, you may not be able to reserve the same entry time unless you apply together.
・Buy at least one Power-Up Band.
A Power-Up Band is needed to fully enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD activities such as Mario blocks and Key Challenges.
Without one, hitting a block will not trigger the coin sound.
・After receiving the headgear for Mario Kart, be sure to watch the operating instructions shown on the front monitor in the next room.
・Mario Kart Techniques: How I Score High After 60 Rides
Collecting at least 100 coins in Mario Kart lets your team defeat Team Bowser.
High scorers, however, collect more than 300 coins.
Even casual visitors should aim for over 200 points.
This article summarizes the techniques.
・What Is a SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Timed-Entry Ticket, and How Do You Get One?
USJ Urban Legends, Trivia, and Fun Facts
A collection of USJ facts and insider details shared by hardcore USJ fans.
・Where Is the Underground Empire?
An urban legend claims that an underground empire exists beneath USJ.
In fact, the ground below the USJ entrance gates and ticket booths contains USJ’s headquarters.
It is not an underground empire, though.
The USJ entrance is actually about three stories above ground level.
USJ headquarters is on the first floor.
From the nearby public road, you can see its entrance.
・Is There a Secret Room in Hogwarts Castle That Guests Cannot Enter?
When experiencing the Harry Potter attraction, guests walk through Hogwarts Castle.
You can enter Headmaster Dumbledore’s office, but there is also a teacher’s room that guests cannot enter.
For limited periods and during limited operating hours, the Castle Walk lets guests explore Hogwarts Castle without riding the attraction.
・Why Is the Concrete Cracked in the New York Area?
The asphalt throughout the New York area is cracked, but it is not caused by subsidence or aging.
There is an intentional reason for it.
・Was the San Francisco Area Designed as a Compact Version of the Real City?
The San Francisco area has railroad tracks and a Chinese restaurant.
Together with the surrounding shops, it combines scenes that actually exist in San Francisco.
Seen with that knowledge, even an ordinary-looking streetscape becomes more interesting.
I traveled to San Francisco, California, and visited places such as Fisherman’s Wharf myself.
・The History of Gramercy Park: Looking Back at Memorable Anniversary Events
Gramercy Park was introduced as a recreation of a large New York park. Today, it is a venue for major shows and a popular photo spot where high school girls lie on the grass for Instagram-worthy pictures.
Explore USJ’s history since its 2001 opening and take a look at its past shows.
・Where Is a Character from the Theme Park in Eastern Japan Hidden?
A character from a theme park in Chiba Prefecture is hidden somewhere at USJ.
It is extremely small and hard to find, which makes it amusing.
・How Can You Be Chosen by a Wand at Ollivanders? How to Buy a Wand in a Special Box
Ollivanders is recommended for anyone who wants to buy a wizard’s wand.
A seemingly old wand in a dust-covered box—one you cannot buy by simply entering the shop—may choose you.
It is a wand suited to you.
Once you learn the message held within it, you may feel it was made especially for you.
Even if you go hoping to buy this wand, however,
Mr. Ollivander chooses only one person from a group of about 30.
There are tips that may improve your chances, but those are secret…
・How to Perform as a Halloween Horror Nights Zombie
Halloween Horror Nights Zombie Auditions
・Halloween Horror Nights Talk: The Scariest Attraction So Far
The scariest Halloween Horror Nights attraction I experienced was Tatari: Curse of the Living Doll.
Its realism was unforgettable.
The fear of being trapped in a hopeless situation made me panic for the first time in my life.
At Biohazard: The Real, an attraction with an almost 0% survival rate, I ended up collapsing to the ground with everyone else.
It felt like an attraction that used terrifying hypnosis.
・Where Is the Safe Zone for Enjoying Street Zombies Without Being Attacked?
Street Zombies is an event where zombies and monsters suddenly attack on park roads and in Gramercy Park.
They generally do not climb onto the sidewalks.
Watching from a sidewalk should let you enjoy the event with greater peace of mind.
・Enjoy Different Coffee Roasts at Different Restaurants
Coffee is served at restaurants throughout the park.
It does not taste the same everywhere.
Some restaurants pour each cup from coffee prepared in advance for a large number of guests.
Some prepare each serving individually.
Others use self-service machines where you press a button, similar to convenience-store coffee.
These are the three main styles.
Roasts also vary, including medium and dark roast, so choosing a restaurant based on whether you want a deeper flavor can be part of the fun.
・Unlimited Drinks All Day: I Paid Only $0.94 per Cup
Order the $9.38 free-drink option and you can enjoy unlimited eligible beverages all day at participating restaurants.
You receive a wristband, so simply wear it and show it when ordering.
I drank 10 cups in one day, which worked out to $0.94 per cup.
That is excellent value.
Ten cups did leave my stomach uncomfortably full, though.
Even five cups works out to $1.88 each, which still feels like a good deal.
※This offer is not available as of 2026.
・Have a Crew Member All to Yourself? A Special Tour
The VIP Experience Group Tour is led by a guide with extensive park knowledge who shows guests around USJ.
It also includes priority access to several attractions, essentially combining an Express Pass with a personal guide.
A group of up to about eight guests shares a crew guide who provides in-depth information.
It costs around $93.75 per person, but significantly shortens waits for a total of seven attractions and is recommended for first-time USJ visitors.
Annual passholders who visit often may also hear information they would never learn on an ordinary visit.
※Two attractions are experienced during the guided tour. Express access for the remaining five is provided after the tour.
The VIP Experience Private Tour gives your own party—one to four people—exclusive use of a crew guide.
Tell the guide which attractions and shows you want to visit, and they will build a tour route around your preferences.
On this tour, the five-hour option includes unlimited lunch, while the eight-hour option includes unlimited lunch and dinner.
(You can enjoy as much of the standard menu as you like.)
・Adorable Crew Members
At shows, crew members usually work behind the scenes, directing guests and supporting the performance.
But there is also a show where crew members dance with all their energy.
That show is SING on Tour.
While the stars sing and dance onstage, crew members stationed at the unlit entrances dance enthusiastically and energize the venue.
During the show, glance to the left and right, watch the dancing crew members, and join the excitement.
During the NO LIMIT! show for USJ’s 20th anniversary, crew members from different shops gathered near the stage and danced with the performers.
Their dancing was a little hesitant when the show began, but after several months it had become impressively sharp and polished.
・Thrill Attraction Fear Ranking
USJ is also known for its many thrill attractions.
Some create an intense floating sensation. Others produce powerful centrifugal force.
Some combine frightening effects with a complete soaking.
Others turn an ordinary sightseeing tour into a terrifying experience.
People who dislike roller coasters may wonder whether they can handle them.
Because many USJ attractions are more intense than those at Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea, you might begin with a gentler attraction and decide from there.
There are also many attractions suitable for small children.
・A Roller Coaster That Runs Backward?
Roller coasters normally travel in the direction riders face, but USJ has a coaster that uses the same track as a forward-running coaster while traveling backward.
It is occasionally featured on television with considerable surprise.
The red ride vehicle is called Backdrop.
Because you face away from the direction of travel, you cannot see where you are going.
When it drops from the highest point, there is also the fear of falling backward.
・A Crew Member Told Me the Secret Hidden in a Store Window
The New York and Hollywood areas are lined with many storefronts modeled on shops that may actually exist in the United States.
You cannot shop or use services there, but you can enjoy looking at the window displays.
There are shops selling Hollywood celebrity fashions, suspicious-looking stores, and many other unusual businesses.
One window, however, contains something that seems unrelated to the store.
As I leaned in for a closer look and wondered what it was, a passing crew member spoke to me.
The crew member then revealed the secret behind an object displayed inside.
It is an amazing secret.
Who knew something like this was hidden here?
I was genuinely surprised when I learned the answer.
Look very carefully at the windows and you may notice something that feels out of place.
・Can You See the Park After Closing from a Hotel Room? Recommended Rooms
Guests normally cannot see inside the park after closing, but a USJ-facing room at The Park Front Hotel, very close to the entrance, offers views of the park late at night and early in the morning.
You can enjoy scenery available only to overnight guests: beautiful night views and a refreshing park gradually illuminated by the rising sun.
・Can You See the Park After Closing from an Official Hotel?
Sleeping through it would be a waste. You may be able to see the park late at night,
including staff working after closing and rehearsals for new events.
Read the full experience report here.
The Park Front Hotel Stay Report
・Official Hotels Are Fun After Closing Too: Special Ways to Spend the Evening
As closing time approaches, guests at The Park Front Hotel can wave lights from their rooms toward people leaving the park, and park guests may wave their own lights back.
Wave several lights and someone who notices may respond, which is great fun.
At LIBER HOTEL, you can soak in a natural hot spring while enjoying Osaka’s night view.
You can also see behind-the-scenes areas of USJ and the illuminated SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
・Which Express Pass Should You Buy? Our Recommendations
An Express Pass is a ticket that lets you experience attractions with a very short wait.
A separate admission ticket is required. (It is not included with the Express Pass.)
With so many varieties, many people are unsure which Express Pass to choose.
The key recommendation when buying is to select:
・Attractions with long waits.
For example, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR Ride can have waits of more than 100 minutes even on shorter-wait days and more than 200 minutes when busy. With an Express Pass, you may wait only one or two minutes before reaching the preshow.
That means the pass may save 98 to more than 200 minutes, making it extremely effective.
By contrast, some attractions limit the number of people admitted and have waits of only about 20 to 30 minutes even when crowded.
The time-saving benefit is smaller for those attractions.
Express Pass 4 provides access to four attractions, while Express Pass 7 provides access to seven.
For a first USJ visit, Express Pass 7 makes it easier to enjoy many attractions without waiting.
・What Is Single Rider?
Many USJ ride vehicles seat two to four people.
For example, when a group of three boards a four-person vehicle, one seat remains empty.
Guests willing to fill that seat can use Single Rider.
It may allow you to board with a much shorter wait.
Even when visiting with friends or family, however, you will not ride together.
・Visiting with Children? Use Child Switch So Adults Can Enjoy the Rides Too
Small children cannot ride some attractions because of height restrictions.
Even then, this free service allows both parents or guardians to take turns riding smoothly.
・What Is USJ Fan? A Chance for One-Night-Only Experiences and Gifts
USJ Fan is a free fan service open to people with an X or Instagram account.
You can join by answering a simple quiz correctly.
USJ Fan members may be invited to special members-only events or receive merchandise sold in the park, among many other benefits.
When your USJ Fan points—earned through park visits and social media posts—reach 100 and you answer every difficult question correctly, you can advance from Silver to Gold.
Earn 3,000 points to advance to Crystal.
This may improve your chances of winning event invitations or, for show-related events, viewing from a better position.
A limited number of people officially recognized by USJ can advance to Diamond.
Undisclosed benefits may include luxurious gifts and possibly better odds of receiving event invitations.
In 2022, people certified at Diamond rank were apparently presented with certificates by a USJ vice president and enjoyed a special show.
・What Are the Six Special Lounges? My Experience Using Them
Quietly hidden inside USJ are special lounges that ordinary guests cannot enter.
Beyond secret doors noticed almost exclusively by eligible users are elegant spaces for resting, special services, and priority attraction access.
・A Botanical Garden Inside the Park? A Beautiful Garden Filled with Roses
Did you know USJ can also be enjoyed as a botanical garden?
Beautiful roses color the rose garden from June to early July and again in November.
You can sit and relax on a bench, making it a recommended date spot as well.
・Is It Okay to Visit the Park Alone? Absolutely! Benefits and Drawbacks
I sometimes see people ask or worry about this on Yahoo! Chiebukuro, X, and other sites.
Visiting USJ or Tokyo Disneyland alone does not make you stand out at all.
I go with family or friends about 10 times a year, but I visit alone around 30 times.
Solo visits let me see the shows and attractions I want, rest when I choose, and eat whatever I like at my own pace.
After visiting alone many times, I have also met other solo visitors, which can be fun.
・Recommended Places to Hear Minion Language
Minions speak a mysterious language.
Listen carefully and you may occasionally hear words that sound like menu items served at a Japanese pub.
The easiest places to hear Minion language are:
・The two Minions at the Minion Park entrance
・The fountain in the center of Minion Park
Listen closely and enjoy discovering what they seem to be saying.
・So Many Doorbells: Feel Like a Mischievous Kid and Ring Them All
Minion Park has many houses.
Their doorbells really work, and pressing one lets you hear the voice of a resident inside.
Sometimes the Minions tell all kinds of stories.
Exploring the houses with children can be especially fun.
・Withdraw Money from Someone Else’s Bank Account? A Surprising ATM
There is an ATM in Minion Park.
But the bank has an unfamiliar name: Bank of Evil!
When you use it, there is actually a button labeled “Withdraw from someone else’s account.”
That is exciting—and a little nerve-racking.
Be sure to press it.
・What Is U-Ken, the Enthusiast Club That Studies the Park?
U-Ken is a group that explores and studies deep-cut USJ topics. It tours the park under the leadership of Mr. Sugizaki, a former USJ employee now active as a leisure conductor.
Sometimes the group studies food without riding a single attraction.
Many members have distinctive personalities, and I enjoy participating every month.
・Are the Different Tiles in the Center of the Entrance Inspired by a Red Carpet?
At the USJ entrance, only the center tiles have a different color from those around them.
They are said to evoke the red carpets used at Hollywood awards ceremonies.
Following this red carpet leads to USJ’s central entrance and seems to continue toward the buildings of the New York area beyond.
・Does the Currency Unit Change from One Area to Another?
Because USJ is in Japan, the currency should be the yen, but crew members sometimes use different playful units.
Amity, home of JAWS: 1 Jaws
Jurassic Park: 1 Gao-Gao
ONE PIECE shops: 1 Berry
At a JAWS shop or restaurant, try saying, “I’ll pay 1,000 Jaws.”
A crew member may reply with the Japanese pun “O-Jaws desu ne,” meaning roughly “Very skilled!”
・Is Your Phone Battery Dying? Rent a Mobile Battery
Mobile batteries can be rented near the coin lockers by the USJ entrance and at the restroom beside Kinopio’s Cafe in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
・Recommended Changing Rooms for Cosplay
For changing into cosplay near USJ, a shop on the fourth floor of Universal CityWalk Osaka offers paid changing rooms, makeup services, and baggage storage throughout the year.
During the Halloween season, changing rooms are also available inside USJ.
Do not change clothes in restrooms or other unsuitable places.
・What Was Good About the VIP Annual Pass?
The VIP Annual Pass was the most expensive USJ Annual Studio Pass.
Its benefits included:
・Admission 365 days a year with no blackout dates
(However, on exceptionally crowded days with admission restrictions, VIP passholders were restricted in the same way as other guests.)
・Advance purchase access for the ONE PIECE Premier Show
The VIP Annual Pass was discontinued in November 2022 and replaced by the new Universal Prime Annual Pass Grand Royal.
It offered a 10% discount at participating restaurants.
Passholders could also be invited by lottery to special events.
・Enter Private-Event Giveaways for a Chance to Enjoy Special Entertainment
Most USJ private events admit 10,000 people or fewer.
USJ receives around 20,000 visitors even on a quiet day and about 80,000 on a crowded day, so 10,000 feels nearly empty.
At an event held in 2022, I enjoyed eight attractions in three hours.
・Answer a Survey and Receive a Gift: Tips for Being Selected
After entering USJ, you may see researchers standing with tablet devices.
If one approaches you and you answer a survey, you receive a small USJ-related gift.
It is not easy to be selected, though.
It would be helpful to know a trick.
Researchers appear to approach guests after a set number of people have passed through the entrance gate.
The criteria may depend on the survey, but they are generally said not to choose based on gender, age, or appearance.
The selection rate seems to be around one person in every 20 to 30.
If an annual passholder is determined to answer a survey, repeatedly exiting and reentering might eventually lead to selection.
Reentering 30 times, however, would probably take four to seven hours by itself…
・I Want to Work at USJ! How Do You Become a Crew Member?
Almost all the USJ crew members, or staff, whom guests see in the park are part-time or hourly employees.
※Some supervisors and other employees are full-time staff of USJ LLC.
USJ crew roles include guest-facing positions as well as behind-the-scenes work in kitchens, wardrobe, and other areas.
Applicants submit an online application, and those who pass the first screening proceed to a second review.
・How Can You Learn a Dancer’s Real or Stage Name?
You may see posts on X or Instagram naming performers or expressing support with comments such as, “I’m a fan of ___.”
There are several ways to learn performers’ real names or nicknames.
The clearest method is at stage shows, where each performer is introduced by name at the end.
Remembering those names helps you recognize performers later in parades or large Gramercy Park shows where individual names are not announced.
There are several other methods as well.
See the following article for details.
・A Relaxing USJ Day for Adults
“I cannot ride thrill attractions, so I do not go to USJ.”
I sometimes hear comments like this.
USJ offers much more than ride attractions.
There are enough shows to fill an entire day, so you can have a complete visit without riding even one attraction.
Many annual passholders enjoy talking with friends while admiring the scenery and having a delicious lunch or dessert created under a USJ executive chef who formerly worked at a top-tier hotel.
Several restaurants accept reservations, so there is no need to endure the stress of a long wait.
・Perfect for Remote Work: Using USJ as a Comfortable Café
What standards do you use when choosing a place for remote work?
・Unlimited drinks
・Pleasant background music and a good view
By those standards, USJ is ideal.
Popular Universal Music songs play throughout the park, and in some locations you can hear live violin or shamisen performances.
The musical environment is excellent.
・Each Section of Hollywood Dream Has Its Own Roller-Coaster Term
Video: Hollywood Dream Roller-Coaster Terms
The course has four notable features: the first drop, horseshoe, camelback, and double helix.
・Where Are the Ride Garages?
USJ has many ride vehicles, including the Hollywood Dream coaster trains, Spider-Man vehicles, Jurassic Park – The Ride boats, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey seats. Did you know these vehicles are stored somewhere after closing or when fewer are operated on quiet days?
Each attraction course actually has tracks or routes leading to a garage in places ordinary riders do not notice.
Some attractions have separate routes into and out of the garage.
The garage route for Hollywood Dream – The Ride is relatively easy to spot.
・Use Yoyakunori to Enjoy Attractions with Shorter Waits
Universal Wonderland attractions issue free timed-entry tickets.
Obtain one, go to the attraction entrance at the designated time, and show the Yoyakunori ticket to experience the attraction with a shorter wait.
Yoyakunori tickets can be obtained through the official USJ app or from a ticket machine near the attraction.
Using the app is recommended because you do not need to walk to the ticket machine.
・A Guide to USJ Temperatures and Monthly Outfit Recommendations
Osaka Temperatures and What to Wear at USJ
・Recommended Ways to Spend Attraction Wait Time
・Research which attraction to ride next, then discuss and decide with your group.
・Can You Study Effectively at the Park? How I Passed a Certification Exam
When studying for a certification, I could not concentrate at home, so I went to USJ.
I used attraction wait times to study for Japan’s Level 1 Electrical Construction Management Engineer examination.
Studying while standing in line removes temptations such as television and naps.
Just as your mind starts to tire, a thrill ride can refresh you.
The ride itself lasts only around three to five minutes, so it does not take much study time and offers a well-timed break.
The drawback is that wait times are short on quiet days.
・A Special March 31 Show, a Huge Crew Welcome, and Maybe Even the President
USJ opened on March 31, 2001. Every March 31, from shortly before opening until about 30 minutes afterward, guests can enjoy a special show and greetings with rare characters not normally seen.
Sesame Street’s Big Bird can usually be met only on this day.
(He also appeared at a special Osaka Prefecture event in July 2022.)
・Celebrate Halloween on October 31
USJ is often less crowded on Halloween itself than on the surrounding dates.
(This applies when October 31 falls on a weekday.)
Many young people head to Osaka districts such as Umeda and Namba, perhaps leaving fewer people willing to pay park admission that day.
Although Halloween season is crowded, October 31 may offer a comfortable USJ visit whether or not you wear a costume.
・Where to Take Instagram-Worthy Photos: Popular Spots for High School Students
・The wall covered with hearts near the Hello Kitty attraction entrance in Universal Wonderland
・The building steps around Gramercy Park
・The lagoon side of the SING building, sitting on a slightly raised platform
・The library in the New York area
・The pipe at the entrance to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
・Blocks high above SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
・Classic cars in front of Mel’s Drive-In (Do not climb on, lean against, or touch them for photos.)
・In front of the large NO LIMIT! Market sign
・A two-person-style shot with a dinosaur passing beside your table at Lost World Restaurant
・The shark in front of the JAWS attraction
See the locations of these photogenic spots here.
・Want to Appear on TV? When Do Many Television Crews Come to Film?
Television stations frequently visit USJ for reports.
Footage of guests being interviewed is often broadcast.
When do many television crews arrive?
It is usually on the press-event day before a new event begins.
・Want a TV Producer to Contact You? What to Prepare for a Special Program and What to Watch for Every Day
One day, a television director may suddenly contact you through X or another platform to request cooperation with a report.
At that moment, one major factor can determine whether you are able to appear.
After understanding that factor, I had more opportunities to participate in USJ television specials through appearances and program support.
・A Sticker Can Make Your Day Special
Crew members sometimes give guests stickers at USJ.
A group of close friends might receive a friendship sticker.
A first-time visitor might receive a First Visit sticker.
During event seasons, you may receive a rare sticker available only at that time.
Place it somewhere visible and crew members may start conversations with you.
When visiting on your birthday or during your birth month, ask a crew member for a birthday sticker.
Try asking a crew member near the entrance or at a shop or restaurant register, “It is my birthday. May I have a birthday sticker?”
You will receive one.
Wear it in a visible place and crew members may congratulate you.
At a restaurant, several crew members might even sing “Happy Birthday.”
・SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Can a challenge game reveal the strength of your family teamwork?
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD has mini-games called Key Challenges.
The Thwomp, Bob-omb, and Piranha Plant games can be played together by three or four people.
Each is easy to clear when the players coordinate well, but poor teamwork can lead to a game over.
They are fun for the whole family, so give them a try.
・Nighttime-Only Fun
Some USJ attractions become even more enjoyable at night.
First is JAWS: a shark attacks from the darkness, followed by the dazzling blaze of a huge explosion.
The nighttime setting makes the experience feel even more powerful.
The Flying Dinosaur offers the fear of flying through a dark sky and the strange sensation of city lights and stars spinning around you.
Hollywood Dream – The Ride offers an aerial journey over USJ’s beautiful night scenery, including the lights of Universal Wonderland and the glow of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
It is an attraction worth riding once during the day and again at night.
For couples, sitting on a bench around the lagoon and enjoying the night view is also recommended.
It may create a romantic atmosphere.
・The SING Electric Sign and Night View
Above the SING on Tour entrance, the word “ILLUMINATION,” the name of the company that made SING, lights up.
Watch for a while and some letters suddenly turn off.
The remaining illuminated letters spell “MINION.”
The full sign returns after a short time, so you are lucky if you capture the moment in a photo.
・Space Fantasy: The Amount and Timing of Rotation Depend on Rider Weight, and the Direction of Travel Changes Every Time
Space Fantasy – The Ride uses four-person vehicles.
Two guests sit in front and two in back, but the vehicle begins rotating after leaving the station.
Its direction and speed of rotation depend on the weight balance among the four riders.
A large difference in weight between people seated side by side may cause faster spinning.
Because the rotation changes the view of space, each ride may reveal different stars and planets.
Guests prone to motion sickness may prefer to ride with four people of similar weight.
・Enjoy Talking with Reika Ayanokoji During the Terminator Preshow
The Terminator attraction remained suspended from 2020 onward.
Before guests entered the main theater, Reika Ayanokoji, a sharp-tongued employee of Cyberdyne Systems, the company that manufactures Terminators, introduced the attraction while talking with the audience.
When she asked, “Where are you from?” answering with a place as far away as possible pleased her.
Mentioning somewhere nearby, such as Osaka, drew an openly displeased reaction.
And saying Chiba, of course…
More recently, she appeared in an Instagram Live broadcast in 2021, served as MC at a USJ event in Tokyo in 2022, and greeted guests on the park’s 21st anniversary.
During the 2022 Christmas event, she became so popular with USJ fans that she starred in a LINE-based rally mini-attraction called “A Challenge from Reika Ayanokoji.”
※The Terminator attraction has ended. Reika Ayanokoji now works as an SGM, or USJ public-relations representative.
・Forced Perspective Makes the Upper Floors of Buildings Slightly Smaller
Movie-making techniques are used in the park’s architecture.
Windows and floor heights become slightly smaller on upper stories, making the buildings seem taller than they really are.
Forced perspective is used not only vertically but also for depth.
The straight road from the park entrance to the library at the far end gradually narrows, making the distance feel greater.
I measured it with a smartphone app.
The road width remains the same from the entrance to Gramercy Park,
but the road beyond Gramercy Park narrows slightly toward the library.
See USJ Forced-Perspective Photos Here
・Mail a Postcard from the Harry Potter Area and a Real Postal Worker Will Deliver It
The Owl Post & Owlery shop in the Harry Potter area has a wooden mailbox.
It is a real working mailbox.
A postcard placed inside is delivered with “Hogsmeade” written in English and an owl postmark.
You can send a postcard bought at the shop to friends or family as a keepsake from USJ, or mail one to yourself as a personal treasure.
An Owl Appears at the Owlery Every 15 Minutes
An owl emerges from the highest section of the Owlery every 15 minutes to announce the time.
Its call changes at 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour.
00 minutes: two long calls
15 minutes: one short call
30 minutes: two short calls
45 minutes: three short calls
※Research by Sara
Enjoy Looking at Movie Sets
USJ was created around the concept of a Hollywood movie studio.
Before computer-generated imagery, film sets used many techniques to look realistic.
Painted false-front buildings.
Slightly smaller interiors behind store windows and windows to create a sense of perspective.
Buildings positioned so camera work could quickly switch between an upscale neighborhood and a local restaurant district for smoother filming.
Plaques on the buildings identify the movies in which each set appeared, so simply walking around and looking for sets from favorite films can be fun.
The Dinosaurs on The Flying Dinosaur Have Names
The Flying Dinosaur is an attraction where riders are swung around by a dinosaur.
Each dinosaur has a name:
Blue-feathered dinosaur: Arashion
Red-feathered dinosaur: Kazar
Green-feathered dinosaur: Jangalee
There also appears to be a yellow dinosaur, but its name is unknown.
Video: Names of the Dinosaurs on The Flying Dinosaur
Counterclockwise Motion Creates Reassurance
Attractions that move counterclockwise are apparently designed to create a psychological sense of reassurance.
Attractions that move clockwise are apparently intended to create psychological unease.
Join USJ Fan, the Official Fan Club, and Your Photo May Be Used by USJ
USJ Fan is a fan club you can join by passing a simple quiz.
Post photos on X or Instagram with the #USJFan hashtag and they may be featured on USJ’s official social media accounts.
See a Photo Featured by the Official USJ X Account Here
A post by me, Happyell’s editor-in-chief, was also selected.
A Full Crew Welcome
When Park Side Grille opens, crew members line up at the restaurant entrance to welcome guests.
Video: Crew Welcome at Park Side Grille Opening
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