We were on the fence about visiting Universal Studios Japan with young children, aged 5.5 and 8 years old, during our trip. The rides at Universal Studios Japan (\u201cUSJ\u201d) seemed more suitable for older children from Upper Primary, or so we thought. In the end, we went because a friend sold us the tickets at a discount because she bought the wrong ticket category. Turns out, USJ was the highlight of our trip, and one day wasn\u2019t enough for us! We were there towards the end of Summer, on 11 September 2025, under Category C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Related Post:<\/strong><\/p>\n Jump to the Relevant Section:<\/strong><\/p>\n No time to read this article? Click on the save button and pin it to read later!<\/p>\n Plan your visit to make the most of your USJ experience and get the best value for your money.<\/p>\n Studio Pass<\/strong><\/p>\n Firstly, buy your USJ ticket<\/a>, also known as Studio Pass<\/b>. You can choose from 1-day, 1.5-day, to 2-day studio passes. Sales of physical tickets at the booths have been discontinued. Instead of spending time at the entrance to buy tickets online, buy them in advance. Also, save some money from Klook\u2019s Bundle Deals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Be sure to select the correct date<\/strong> when purchasing the ticket. The prices change according to the dates. USJ Studio Pass is valid for 90 days from the selected date, but you can only use it on the dates corresponding to your pass category (A\/B\/C\/D). Check the dates with the corresponding ticket category<\/strong> here: Studio Pass Price Calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Express Pass<\/strong><\/p>\n You might also consider getting a USJ Express Pass<\/a><\/strong> to skip the long queues and make the most of your visit during the peak days of the week. But if you are on a budget, you can still cut time by queuing at the single-rider lane.<\/p>\n Register the Passes on the USJ official app<\/strong> (\u201cUSJ APP\u201d): www.usj.co.jp\/web\/en\/us\/enjoy\/app<\/a>. This ensures smooth USJ Park (\u201cPark\u201d) entry by scanning the QR codes using your phone. It is also a prerequisite to getting timed entry tickets<\/a>, which I will explain later.<\/p>\n If you get errors, try registering again during Japan\u2019s working hours. I also suggest registering closer to the trip because if you lose your phone or accidentally delete the APP with your registered passes, you have to go through the trouble to contact USJ directly to get new access to your passes.<\/p>\n For more about registration, visit www.usj.co.jp\/web\/en\/us\/enjoy\/numbered-ticket\/attraction-reservation-ticket<\/a>. <\/p>\n Plan to visit on a Wednesday or Thursday<\/strong>. We went on a Thursday, and it\u2019s already crowded with the locals and tourists. We even saw students on excursions, how nice! I cannot imagine the crowd on weekends and Japan\u2019s public holidays<\/a>. Fridays are out too because locals might take leave for a long weekend visit.<\/p>\n Staying near Universal Studios Japan (USJ) can maximise your time at the Park, reach earlier than most, and easily return to your hotel after a long day without squeezing with the crowd on train. You can also explore Universal CityWalk, an entertainment, food and shopping area right outside of USJ. It\u2019s also a 15-minute car ride away to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan<\/a> in the Osaka Bay area.<\/p>\n Themed rooms are available at selected official hotels<\/strong>, such as Sesame Street at Hotel Kintetsu and Minions at Hotel Universal Port.\u00a0 Or enjoy beautiful views at The Park Front Hotel<\/strong>. Or head further away for a more affordable stay at J-Hoppers Osaka Universal<\/strong> (Hostel), located one JR stop (Ajikawaguchi Station) or a 5-minute drive from USJ.<\/p>\n Book the themed rooms early: <\/strong><\/p>\n Strategise and plan your route<\/strong> based on your interests. Use the\u00a0USJ Park Map<\/a> and the\u00a0Shows and Attractions Schedule<\/a> to plan. You can also find this information inside the USJ APP (www.usj.co.jp\/web\/en\/us\/enjoy\/app<\/a>). <\/p>\n USJ is divided into seven different worlds \u2013<\/strong>\u2013 Super Nintendo World, Wonderland, Harry Potter, Minion Park, Jurassic Park, Hollywood, and Amity Village. Decide on the route based on your interests, go to where you prefer the most, and visit the others if you still have time left.<\/p>\n TIPS<\/strong>: <\/p>\n Start your day early<\/strong> to avoid the crowds for a while. Try to be there before the gates open, I\u2019ve read some start queuing one hour ahead! Depending on the day, admission may start earlier than the Park\u2019s scheduled opening time.<\/p>\n USJ\u2019s opening hours vary from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM, and operation hours may change without notice. So check the official site for the timings<\/a> again before visiting.<\/p>\n Note that USJ doesn\u2019t allow re-entry<\/strong>, so you wouldn\u2019t be able to head out for lunch or to nap in your hotel room. Food can be quite expensive in the Park, so have a heavy breakfast before going in to avoid lunching on a feast.<\/p>\n If you are going to USJ by train, alight at Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line<\/strong>. USJ is a 5-minute walk from the station. The USJ website displays the travel times from the different stations to USJ<\/a>, such as 13 minutes from Osaka-Namba Station and 35 minutes from Osaka Airport.<\/p>\n USJ\u2019s website<\/a> also has details on how to get there by bus<\/strong>, sea shuttle boat<\/strong> and car or motorcycle<\/strong> (including parking information).<\/p>\n If you have registered passes in the USJ APP, simply scan the QR code with your phone<\/strong> at the ticket gantry. As a backup, you can also print out your purchase confirmation email with the QR code.<\/p>\n There will be security bag checks and the use of X-ray machines when entering the Park. Oversized luggage, alcohol, tripods, selfie sticks, and food are among the items not allowed in the Park<\/strong>. We did bring some snacks and biscuits, and they let us pass.<\/p>\n Visit www.usj.co.jp\/web\/en\/us\/service-guide\/park-entry<\/a> for all the prohibited items.<\/p>\n For any birthday boy or girl<\/a>, be sure to get a birthday sticker from a crew member<\/strong>. You can obtain it at Guest Services (to the left after entering the ticket gates) or ask a crew member about other locations to get it. Crew members will wish you a happy birthday when they see the sticker, and USJ characters might send you birthday greetings too!<\/p>\n Family Services are located at three locations in the Park<\/strong>: <\/p>\n At Guest Services, you can rent a stroller<\/strong> for \u00a51,100 (S$9.70) to use within the Park for children aged 1 month to 4 years old. There is limited availability, so it\u2019s best to rent it early. Unlimited use of small lockers is also available at Wonderland for \u00a5400 (S$3.40)<\/p>\n At Family Services, you can also find facilities such as diaper-changing areas, nursing stations, hot water and microwaves<\/strong>. Microwaves are not available next to South First Aid. Fret not for diaper emergencies. Diaper change units<\/strong> are installed in men\u2019s or ladies\u2019 restrooms inside the Park (except in the restaurant restrooms). You can view the map location here: www.usj.co.jp\/web\/en\/us\/service-guide\/theme-park-services\/children<\/a>.<\/p>\n Food for babies<\/strong> around 7 months old is sold at Snoopy\u2019s\u2122 Backlot Caf\u00e9 and Studio Stars Restaurant.<\/p>\n Timed-entry ticket guarantees entry to a busy area at a designated time. <\/strong>Thus, instead of waiting in line, you can play elsewhere or eat first until your time to enter an attraction or area (such as Super Nintendo World). You might still have to wait in line a little, but not as long. Best part, they\u2019re FREE<\/strong>!<\/p>\n You have to register your Studio Pass<\/a><\/strong> before you can get the Timed Entry Tickets \/ Standby Entry Tickets on the USJ APP. <\/strong>Alternatively, you can get them at the Park on the day of visit<\/a> with your QR codes.<\/p>\n There are three types of timed-entry tickets: <\/p>\n More details: www.usj.co.jp\/web\/en\/us\/enjoy\/numbered-ticket<\/a><\/p>\n How to get your Timed Entry Ticket via the USJ APP<\/strong>:<\/p>\n When we entered the Park at about 9:00 AM, thrill seekers<\/strong> were already screaming on the rollercoaster zooming through the Park. If you are one of them, head towards Jurassic Park<\/a> to ride on The Flying Dinosaur<\/a>, where you hang off your seat with your face down and fly like a bird and be swung 360 degrees. Other adventure rides include the 25.9m plunge at a dinosaur boat tour in Jurassic Park: The Ride<\/a>, or head to Hollywood for the backwards roller coaster at The Ride: Backdrop<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you and your spouse love such adventure rides but are travelling with young children who don\u2019t meet the ride requirements, you can take turns experiencing the ride or attraction without waiting in line again. Simply let the crew know you want to use the Child Switch<\/a><\/strong> system. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/travel.joogostyle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/travel.joogostyle.com-USJ-Osaka.jpg\")
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\nPre-Trip Planning<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nBuying Tickets <\/span><\/h2>\n
\nRegister the Passes<\/span><\/h2>\n
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When to Visit<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\nGetting There<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nStart Early<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nDirections to USJ<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nEntering the Park<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nSecurity Checks<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nCelebration<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Family Services for Young Children<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Timed Entry Tickets <\/span><\/h2>\n
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\nJurassic Park<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nFor Thrill Seekers<\/span><\/h2>\n
Child Switch<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nSuper Nintendo World<\/strong> (For Mario Fans)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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