Universal Studios Japan

What to know

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first Universal Studios theme park built in Asia. It opened in 2001 in the Osaka Bay Area and has expanded over the years, becoming one of Japan's most visited amusement parks.

The park currently features ten themed areas: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of rides, from gentle carousels to thrilling roller coasters and simulators based on popular movies like Minions, Shrek, and Jurassic Park.

Beyond rides, the park offers plenty of photo opportunities with mascots such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and the Muppets. Daily shows include a night parade with illuminated floats.

Just outside the park gates is Universal Citywalk Osaka, a shopping mall with hotels, restaurants, and shops selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs. The Osaka Takoyaki Museum, a collection of popular takoyaki vendors, is on the fourth floor.

The park entrance is a five-minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line (also called JR Sakurajima Line). From Osaka Station, direct trains run several times per hour (15 minutes, 200 yen), with more connections via a transfer at Nishikujo Station. From Kansai Airport, take a JR airport rapid to Nishikujo Station and transfer to the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station (75 minutes, 1,180 yen).

Buses connect Universal Studios Japan to Kansai Airport (50-70 minutes, 1,800 yen, hourly) and Itami Airport (45 minutes, 940 yen, hourly). Some overnight buses from other Japanese cities also stop here.