WOW! What an absolutely fantastic place! Nintendo World at USJ truly brings the magic of the games to life. The experience was exciting from start to finish, and it’s definitely a must-visit for families, kids, and anyone who grew up with Mario.
That said—please, please plan everything in advance. We went on a weekend and it was super jam-packed. There were crowds everywhere, and without proper preparation you might spend a lot of your visit just waiting in queues.
Luckily, we decided to purchase the VIP Pass, and honestly, it was a blessing in disguise. Yes, it’s a bit expensive, but think of it as an investment. You’re investing in saving time, cutting down queueing, and being able to enjoy more of the attractions without stressing about the crowd. With the number of people that day, we would’ve spent hours in line if not for the VIP Pass.
Overall, we had a great time. The atmosphere, the details, the attractions—everything was top-notch. I highly recommend visiting, but make sure to buy your tickets early and plan ahead. Bring your family, bring your kids, and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
We visited USJ on November 6th (Thursday, weekday) and enjoyed our time there.
We purchased express passes for 4 attractions (Flying Dinosaur/Hollywood Dream, Jaws/Jurassic Park, Forbidden Journey, and Mario Kart) and it really saved us time.
However, it’s worth mentioning that if you have evening slots for designated zones/attractions, you don’t need to come early like we did. We had a slot for Forbidden Journey at 18:30 and Nintendo World at 20:00, and arrived at the park at 11:00. There was almost no waiting time to enter the park, up to 10 minutes maximum. Honestly, we visited all the interesting attractions with our pass within several hours and were just wandering around waiting for our time slots, even though we stood in a 40-minutes standard queue for Hollywood dream.
In our opinion, only these attractions are worth visiting and waiting in queue: Flying Dinosaur, Hollywood Dream, Forbidden Journey (this attraction surprised us a lot!). Mario Kart and Jaws didn’t meet our expectations and honestly can be easily skipped.
Also, if you don’t want to pay extra for express passes, you may want to visit popular zones like Nintendo World, Harry Potter and Kong in the evening. At 8pm there were almost no crowds in the Nintendo and Kong zones, and waiting time for attractions without passes was about 20-30 minutes.
Though we generally enjoyed our experience, I deducted one star for overpriced food and merch. If you visit the Harry Potter Studio in Tokyo as well, consider purchasing your merch there — it’s way less expensive. Also, I brought my wand purchased at Warner Bros. Studio in Tokyo to the Harry Potter zone to try out some wand interactions, but it only worked with wands purchased at USJ, which felt like a money drain.
On the positive side, the park staff were amazing, they were extremely encouraging and created a cheerful mood for our day.
I’d give my day at Universal Studios Japan a solid 7/10. The park itself is incredibly impressive — the attention to detail, the music, and the overall atmosphere really pull you into each themed area. Walking through the different worlds felt magical, and Harry Potter World at night was easily the highlight. The lights, the ambience, and the soundtrack made it feel like stepping straight into the movies.
Mario World during the day was also awesome to see — the colors, animations, and all the little details were incredible. It genuinely felt like stepping straight into the game.
That said, the food was definitely a letdown. I tried the chicken leg, turkey leg, and a hot dog, and all of them were just okay — nothing terrible, but nothing memorable either. For a park that nails the visual experience so well, I was hoping the food would match that level.
Crowds were manageable, lines moved fairly well, and the staff were incredibly friendly as always in Japan. Overall, it was a fun experience with some unforgettable moments, especially in the Wizarding World and Mario World, but the food missed the mark.
Still worth a visit — just maybe eat a good meal before you go! 🎢✨
Universal Studios Japan dazzles with immersive themed worlds and cutting-edge attractions. Super Nintendo World's vibrant Mario universe (with new Donkey Kong expansion) delivers gaming magic brought to life. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter enchants with Butterbeer stands and detailed Hogsmeade scenery. Spectacular shows like Waterworld's stunt extravaganza add thrilling dimension. The iconic globe entrance welcomes visitors to diverse experiences from dinosaur encounters to character meet-and-greets. Expect substantial crowds, especially at popular attractions.
For maximum enjoyment, arrive early, consider Express Passes, and plan a two-day visit to fully explore all worlds. A perfect blend of technology, imagination and themed entertainment that creates unforgettable memories. ✨✨✨
Universal Studios Japan is an amazing theme park full of fun, excitement, and unforgettable experiences. The rides are thrilling, especially The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World, which feel incredibly immersive and well-designed. Everything is clean, organized, and easy to navigate, with plenty of food options and themed snacks.
The atmosphere is energetic and magical, making it perfect for all ages. Even with crowds, the experience is worth it thanks to the detailed attractions and entertainment throughout the park.
A must-visit destination in Osaka for anyone looking for adventure and fun!
