How to Get There

We pre-purchased a bus ticket from Osaka Dotonbori to Universal Studios Japan, which departed promptly at 7 AM. Waking up early was a challenge after an exhausting day before, but it was definitely worth it. Since we stayed near Dotonbori, taking the bus was a convenient option, allowing us to avoid the hassle of navigating ourselves and the risk of getting lost.

Make sure to arrive at the pickup point, located in front of Kani Doraku Dotonbori Higashi, at least 10 minutes early. The travel time to Universal Studios Japan is about 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the bus parking area, you’ll need to walk approximately 13 minutes to reach the entrance gate of Universal Studios Japan.

For more information and to purchase your ticket, follow this link (affiliate link). After your purchase, you can easily add the tickets to your phone wallet for quick access on the day of your visit.

If you prefer not to deal with pre-purchased bus tickets, there are accommodations available near Universal Studios Japan for your convenience.

How to Get Your Ticket

Planning a trip to any theme park in Japan can be overwhelming, especially if you want to experience Super Mario World at Universal Studios Japan. I’m here to help you navigate the ticketing process and increase your chances of entry into this incredibly popular area.

After extensive research on the best ticket options, I found that strategising is essential for guaranteed access to Super Mario World. You have the options of: get to the park super early to queue before the gates open and rush straight to Super Nintendo World, purchase 1 Day Studio Pass + Super Nintendo World entry or purchase Express Passes from the Universal Studios official website or Klook (affiliate link).

Here are the available Express Pass options:

Express Pass 7

This pass grants access to seven of the park’s most popular rides at designated times. The rides included are:

• MarioKart: Koopa’s Challenge
• Yoshi’s Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
• The Flying Dinosaur
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride or JAWS (choose one)

The areas for timed entry ticket are  Super Nintendo World and THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER.

Express Pass 4

There are different types of Express Pass 4, allowing you to choose any combination of four selected rides. For example, the Universal Express Pass 4: Variety & Thrill includes:

• MarioKart: Koopa’s Challenge
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flying Dinosaur
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride

This flexibility lets you tailor your experience based on your preferences for the day. There are also various Express Pass 4 options, including Fun Variety, Backdrop, Race & 4-D, and more. Don’t feel overwhelmed, these just offer different ride combinations. You can find out more and make your purchase from here (affiliate link).

These passes typically become available two months in advance, exactly at 12 AM Japan Time. Keep an eye on the link for announcements regarding the purchasing window. Remember, it can be competitive to buy these passes, so be ready at the exact time and date.

Express Passes are the most expensive option for guaranteed entry to Super Mario World. Keep in mind that you still need to purchase a separate studio pass ticket; the Express Pass does not include it. While securing a studio pass is generally less challenging than obtaining an Express Pass, it’s still advisable to buy in advance. Options include 1-day, 1.5-day, and 2-day studio passes, which are usually available two months in advance at 3 PM Japan Time. Again, watch for any announcements about changes in availability, as you won’t want to miss out.

For a cheaper option, consider the 1-Day Studio Pass + SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, or the version with early entry, though this will be discontinued starting in October. If you’re on a tight budget, arriving early at the gate, as mentioned earlier, is a good alternative.

We opted for the 1-Day Studio Pass + SUPER NINTENDO WORLD for peace of mind. This ticket requires you to select a designated entry time, in our case it was 3 PM, ensuring guaranteed access once you arrive. We were able to go straight into Super Nintendo World right after opening without needing to optimise the pass. However, to avoid disappointment, having a backup plan is wise.

I’m not a huge fan of all the popular rides, so that pass was sufficient for me. However, if you love rides, an Express Pass would save you a lot of time.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to drop a comment or send a message. We’re here to help!

I decided not to purchase tickets from the Universal Studios Japan website because it can be less credit card-friendly. My past experiences with Klook have been positive, so that was our preferred option. However, I helped a friend in buying tickets from the official site when none of her cards worked, and my Wise (affiliate link) card went through on the first try.

Make sure to download the USJ app on your phone, as you’ll rely on it to check wait times and further strategise your visit.

Upon Entry

By the time we arrived around 8 AM, the line was already long. The gates opened at approximately 8:15 AM, and we dashed straight to Super Mario World, following the crowd.

Once inside, we purchased the bands from a stand. For those unfamiliar, these bands enhance your visit by allowing you to interact with the surroundings and make the most of your experience.

Knowing that the Yoshi ride tends to get busy, we headed straight to the line for that attraction. The queue featured some fantastic and adorable displays.

After the Yoshi ride, we stopped by Kinopio’s Cafe for a snack. Fortunately, we were able to enter without needing a ticket for a designated return time later in the day. Next, we lined up for the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge ride.

I couldn’t resist stopping to grab a cute popcorn bucket and a Fire Flower drink bottle, they were too adorable to pass up!

We spent some time in Super Nintendo World before heading to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We passed the iconic flying car and Hogwarts Express, enjoyed lunch, and of course, tried the infamous Butterbeer. Afterward, we lined up for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

Our adventure continued as we made our way to Minion Park for the Minion Mayhem ride. We explored various areas, including Jurassic Park, where we arrived just in time for a meet-and-greet.

We then strolled through Universal’s Wonderland, Amity Village, and Hollywood, though not necessarily in that order. We managed to explore almost all areas of Universal Studios without taking the entire day. We opted not to return for the 3 PM designated entry back to Super Nintendo World, but we had a wonderfully long and fun-filled day. Some attractions may have changed since my visit earlier this year, but I hope this summary helps you plan your adventure!

Universal Studio Attractions:

Hollywood

• Hollywood Dream – The Ride
• Hollywood Dream – Backdrop
• Space Fantasy: The Ride
• Playing with Curious George
• Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show
• Sing on Tour
• Shrek 4-D Adventure
• Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic

Minion Park

• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
• Freeze Ray Sliders
• Midway Games
• San Francisco

Jurassic Park

• The Flying Dinosaur
• Jurassic Park: The Ride (CLOSED- 4th September 2023 – UNTIL 2025)
• Jurassic Park – Meet & Greet
• WaterWorld
• Waterworld Stunt Show

Super Nintendo World

• Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
• Yoshi’s Adventure
• Power Up Band Key Challenges

Amity Village

• Jaws

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Frog Choir
• Triwizard Spirit Rally

Universal’s Wonderland

• The Flying Snoopy
• Snoopy’s Sound Stage Adventure
• Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream
• Hello Kitty’s Ribbon Collection
• Abby’s Magical Party
• Bert and Ernie’s Wonder: The Sea
• Big Bird’s Big Nest
• Elmo’s Bubble Bubble
• Grover’s Construction Company
• Moppy’s Lucky Dance Party
• Big Bird’s Big Top Circus
• Sesame’s Big Drive
• Elmo’s Little Drive
• Cookie Monster Slide
• Elmo’s Go Go Skateboard
• Moppy’s Balloon Trip
• Abby’s Magical Tree
• Water Garden

Parades

• No Limit Parade
• Universal Spectacle Night Parade

We noticed many similarities to Universal Studios in California across most attractions, except for Super Mario World, which is unique to Japan and a must-visit. For the complete itinerary from our trip, check it out here: Japan 14-Day Itinerary. Have a wonderful time planning your trip!

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