Japan is a beautiful country full of wonders, may it be natural (from Mt. Fuji to cherry blossoms) or man-made (from sacred temples to theme parks). Wherever you start your Japan adventure, you’ll never run out of things to do, activities to try, food to eat, or places to visit in the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s my first time in Japan and almost everyone I know would want to include Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in their itinerary.
Theme parks may be appealing to most tourists, but my sentiment is on the contrary. I’m not really a fan of amusement park so I originally planned ditching USJ out of our 7-day Autumn trip. If I would have to choose between visiting a natural environment versus one developed by men, I would definitely choose the former.
However, my travel buddy insisted that we should visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in USJ, no matter what. Hari Potta, what? It’s like music to my ears. The potterhead in me had awakened and thought visiting Universal Studios Japan could be an exception.
HOW TO GET TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
It was a great Sunday morning when my travel buddy I prepared for our third day in Osaka, fifth day overall in Japan. We were bound for Universal Studios Japan and we were so excited because we are both first-timers. We utilized the 7-day JR Pass to commute to USJ from our accommodation in Shin-Osaka and vice versa (via JR Line bound for Universal City station with train transfer in Nishikujo) without additional fare. Travel time via train is less than 20 minutes.
Around 10:00 AM, we arrived at the entrance gate where we just scanned the QR code of our USJ General Admission Ticket via mobile. It’s so convenient knowing we don’t need to bring printed paper for the ticket. If you don’t have your USJ Admission Ticket yet, book via KKday here:
We didn’t waste time and headed directly to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Area entry.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the line was so long. I thought, I cannot exchange one hour of waiting time for a 5-minute entertainment. Thank God, I made one decision right ~ I pre-booked an Express Pass from KKDay, every traveler’s holiday expert!
The Express Pass comes in handy when you want to save time from long queues of each ride and attraction. A Universal Express Pass QR code is all you need for direct entry to the park. Where to get one? Book online for a hassle-free and smooth transaction!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
After receiving the honor of the world’s number one ride for five consecutive years, the exhilarating experience that immerses you in the wizarding world has been upgraded! With even more powerful magic effects, you’ll feel the dragon’s heat and the Dementor’s chill as they encounter you! Experience the reality and the thrill of a new dimension in the wizarding world that unfolds 360 degrees around you as you join Harry and friends on an unforgettable sensory adventure!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the famous ride in Universal Studios Japan. It is a ride to die for! A thrilling experience that everyone can relate to ~ from playing quidditch up in the air to chanting spells in defense to scary dementors ~ it is one hell of an adventure!
Please note that during PEAK times, timed entry ticket may be necessary to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
You can also try riding other attractions such as the Flight of the Hippogriff or Wand Magic, shop wands in Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, watch some street entertainment such as Frog Choir or Triwizard Spirit Rally or have a selfie with the famous rootbeer.
The Universal Express Pass shortens your waiting time for designated popular attractions! In our experience, we saved time in entering into the following USJ favorites:
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
This all-new attraction brings you into the whirling world of the Minions! Climb aboard a vehicle designed by Gru and enter his laboratory to begin the process of becoming an actual Minion! Under the supervision of Gru and his three daughters, you’ll dash through the air and back to earth, going upside down and round and round! So plunge into the mayhem of the Minions on a thrilling ride that will challenge your senses and warm your heart!
It’s a fun ride, without a doubt. It’s something unique and more playful ride just like you’re a kid running around a playground who’s screaming on top of his lungs. With a massive dome screen and hyper-realistic projection system, I didn’t even know what’s up and what’s down for the whole 25 minutes of minion mayhem! A must-try!
Space Fantasy – The Ride
Fly away from the earth on a spaceship to go on an adventure to save the sun! A ride that speeds freely amongst Earth, Saturn, other amazingly beautiful planets and comets, while dodging asteroids blocking your way. The spaceship zooms across the majesty of space, and with a sense of freedom reaches climax of the adventure. The spaceship plunges straight into the sun, in order to bring its radiance back.
Space Fantasy – The Ride is a 10-minute roller coaster ride around the universe. What I love about it are the sudden movements, rapid acceleration, abrupt stops or falls and wild turns. It’s a crazy ride that I want to ride again and again.
Terminator 2:3-D®
The battle for the future between humans and cyborgs unfolds before your eyes. A super-3D movie that makes you reflexively lean back comes up close, and suddenly the hero on screen appears on stage. Powerfully recreated world of “Terminator®” dissolves reality. And then, in a blink of an eye, swallows it whole.
When we entered Terminator, we were ushered in an area where there is a woman in red uniform (more like a female stand-up comedian) entertaining the guests in Japanese. We could not understand what she was saying but everyone was laughing hard. Then, the theater opens up where guests were looking for vacant seats. It was then the show started.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D
The world’s best attraction and the first to win world’s best ride award 7 consecutive years has been transformed into a whole new ride by gaining the world’s best technology “4K3D”! Unbelievable impact that confuses the imaginary with the reality, and series of special effects over 100, will give you an incredible, immersive experience. You’ll encounter an all-new kind of excitement!
I find the Amazing Adventures of Spider-man the next big thing to The Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter. The ride was so overwhelming, it bent reality.
Once you’ve tried all the attractions inside USJ, be sure to head back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter around 5:00PM to watch for the Hogwarts™ Magical Night: Winter Magic show.
Wingardium Leviosa! Enjoy the holiday in an unbelievable world of magic! You shouldn’t miss this incredible illumination and most coveted night spectacle at USJ.
HOW TO USE UNIVERSAL EXPRESS PASS
First, purchase your USJ Express Pass via KKday. KKday is the leading e-commerce travel platform that connects travelers with authentic local tours & activities.
Once you’ve received your confirmation email from KKDay with the QR Code, save the code on your mobile. On the day of USJ visit, just present your QR code on the printed time (on the bottom) at the attraction entrance. No need to line up to three, four or seven blockbuster attractions with your Universal Express Pass! Enjoy each USJ attraction before everyone else ‘coz you’re good to go!
Only valid on a per person basis, and for the date of entry shown on tickets. Tickets without a QR code are invalid. Cannot be transferred or resold. Hours and attraction operation may change without notice. Can not be reissued, repurchased, or exchanged for refund.
Overall, I had fun in Universal Studios Japan with with Express Pass. I got to immerse in a fun experience with my fave USJ rides and attractions by just showing an Express Pass QR code on my mobile, very convenient! Express Pass is definitely a guaranteed access to select USJ attractions and romises you a fun-filled adventure! I must say it’s totally worth it! Now that I was granted a 10-year Multiple Entry for stay(s) of 90 days as a temporary visitor in Japan, I can’t wait to be back at Universal Studios Japan.