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Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan

“One of the most complete theme parks on Earth”

Universal Studios Japan opened on 31 March 2001 as the first Universal theme park outside North America. Two other Asian Universal resorts have been added since, but these haven’t diminished the popularity of the park in Osaka. According to the latest figures, approximately 16 million guests pass through the gates every year, which means that Universal is performing even stronger than the hugely popular parks at Tokyo Disney Resort, located 250 miles further. That’s fantastic news for the management of Universal Studios Japan, but there’s a logical consequence for you and me: the park is flooded by tens of thousands of visitors nearly every day of the year. Have you ever experienced an extremely busy day at your local amusement park? Well, those crowds are business as usual here at Universal Studios Japan.

The crowds at Universal Studios Japan may be a bit more intense than in Hollywood, Orlando or Beijing, but the park still looks and feels like the other Universal resorts. Film soundtracks playing throughout the park? Check. A giant rotating globe with the Universal logo? Check. A Hollywood-themed main street? Once again… check. Universal Studios Japan makes a great first impression thanks its sheer scale. The main street consists of a series of beautiful facades and there’s a glass canopy protecting us from the elements on particularly rainy or hot days. Along the edges of that elegant roof, we see a B&M coaster train passing by every 60 seconds or so. And that certainly catches our attention.

ROLLER COASTERS

Hollywood Dream – The Ride is a rather unique ride. This miniature B&M mega coaster was constructed next to the park’s main street, delivering some awesome kinetics to the Hollywood area of the park. It was the Japanese predecessor of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (may his soul rest in peace), but Hollywood Dream actually stood the test of time better than its American sibling. The coaster isn’t overly intense, but it provides so much fun, especially because of the great on-ride music system. Passengers are able to choose their favourite song by using the buttons that were built into the restraints, so that’s pretty awesome. The most disorienting ride is delivered by the red train, which runs backwards. This experience is called Backdrop and it was introduced in 2013. This was originally planned as a short-term thing, but Backdrop has been operational ever since. By the way… There’s only one backward-facing train, so lines for Backdrop get rather long.

Indoor coasters with a space theme aren’t unique to say the least, but Space Fantasy – The Ride‘s approach is so refreshing and cute that I absolutely adore this attraction. This is a Mack spinning coaster that’s characterised by clever lighting effects, colourful planets and a spectacular finale that could be described as the big bang. It’s become quite hard to ride the original version of Space Fantasy, though. The attraction is frequently used for temporary overlays these days. We couldn’t hide our disappointment about a pitch-black Halloween version in 2023, but our rides in 2026 were a lot more enjoyable. This time, we discovered the attraction as Space Fantasy – Club Zedd Remix. This version featured all the theming and effects of the original Space Fantasy, and we got to enjoy it all while listening to catchy pop songs chosen by Russian-German DJ Zedd.

Fans of Vekoma’s Junior Coasters are in for a treat, as the Dutch manufacturer built some of its most popular models at Universal Studios Japan. The ‘large’ 335-metre version (similar to Energus at Energylandia) ended up in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s known as Flight of the Hippogriff and it offers an enjoyable, yet rather tame experience. The smaller 207-metre version (which can also be found at Disneyland Anaheim) actually has more to offer when it comes to theming. Snoopy’s Flying Ace Adventure is part of Snoopy Studios, an indoor play area entirely dedicated to the Peanuts. This attraction simulates a flight past world-famous landmarks and it includes a few well-executed near-misses. Great ride for those rookie coaster enthusiasts.

One coaster that is definitely not suitable for rookies is The Flying Dinosaur. With its custom layout and unconventional inversions, this B&M Flying Coaster looks nothing short of sensational. And the ride certainly doesn’t disappoint. After a wait of around 20 minutes, we experienced one of the most intense roller coasters on the planet. Especially the second and third inversions (a pretzel loop) deliver incredibly intense G-forces, which feels all the more intense because there’s virtually no time to breathe between these two elements. I’m therefore convinced that this ride really isn’t for everyone. Personally, I quite like it, but bear in mind that The Flying Dinosaur packs a lot more of a punch than similar rides like F.L.Y. and Galactica. Those with a weak stomach should be looking for gentler entertainment.

In recent years, Universal has been investing heavily in its theme park division and Super Nintendo World is one of the latest showpieces. This colourful zone is a crowd-pleaser in California and Florida, but Universal Studios Japan boasted the world premiere in 2021. Guests enter the area through Princess Peach’s castle and are then treated to an phenomenal panorama. The centrepiece is Mount Beanpole, which features an extraordinary amount of details to discover. Anyone who has ever played Super Mario games will immediately recognise those green pipes, spinning gold coins and red, carnivorous plants. Everything’s moving and jingles can be heard throughout the area, so be prepared for an extremely busy, chaotic and loud land. I find Super Nintendo World fascinating, but I can’t deny that there’s a serious sensory overload here.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the attractions at Super Nintendo World are incredibly popular. When we checked the wait times on the app, Mine Cart Madness was almost always right at the top of the list. The display at the entrance already showed a 230-minute wait, just 45 minutes after park opening. Fortunately, we had just finished our ride at that point, after a much more comfortable wait. And I should admit that the ride is fun. Thanks to its unique transportation system the mine carts seem to be derailing several times, after which they safely land back on the tracks. This Japanese version also allowed us to witness all the special effects as they’re intended, something that unfortunately wasn’t possible during our visit to Epic Universe. I’d like to give Mine Cart Madness an extra thumbs up for the theming, as the jungle scenery and the golden temple look absolutely stunning. Still, this attraction isn’t entirely perfect. Drawback number one is the limited capacity, resulting in long and slow-moving queues. Downside number two is the ride’s roughness, as the coaster turns out to be a bit bumpier than you might expect.

DARK RIDES

Let’s stay in Super Nintendo World for a little while, as the area also has two (semi-)dark rides on offer. The supporting act is Yoshi’s Adventure, a slow-moving tour with a short indoor section. I’m charmed by the adorable vehicles and the equally cute animatronics along the route, but the ride turns out to be laughably short. Even the interactive element (some sort of scavenger hunt) failed to entertain us, as it’s clearly aimed at 5-year-olds. The childish simplicity of Yoshi’s Adventure stands in stark contrast to the high-tech experience of Mario Kart – Koopa’s Challenge. This ride’s unique selling point is the use of augmented reality glasses. These glasses add virtual components to the real-life dark ride scenes, and they’re used to give riders racing instructions. Does this all sound kind of overwhelming and complicated? Well… it does, and that’s exactly my biggest complaint about Koopa’s Challenge. This attraction actually feels more stressful than the busiest shift I’ve ever worked. Don’t get me wrong: the dark ride scenes themselves are quite impressive, and the legendary Rainbow Road has been brought to life in a stunning way. But unfortunately, it’s difficult to appreciate all the splendour when the interactive gameplay is constantly demanding your full attention.

When the entrance to Hogsmeade comes into view, nearly every visitor snaps a photo for their social media. I’m happy to join them, but I can’t help noticing that it all looks very familiar. A steam locomotive on the right, an incredibly busy sweet shop on the left, a Butterbeer stand in the centre and an imposing castle at the end of the alley. Unsurprisingly, Hogwarts is home to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a ride that is relatively predictable for Universal fans. Swinging robotic arms and projections on dome-shaped screens make Forbidden Journey feel far more intense than you’d usually expect from a dark ride. Unfortunately, amidst all that intensity, I also spot a few unappealing details. Scene transitions are somewhat clumsy and passengers sometimes get a glimpse of the mechanics behind the ride. These are flaws that you’d rather not see in such a highly acclaimed ride. That’s why The Forbidden Journey doesn’t quite match the perfection of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man or that of Disney’s signature dark rides.

Disney was once the undisputed leader in the world of animated films, but those days are over. After all, Universal has also created two success stories with DreamWorks and Illumination. These two studios are responsible for Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Despicable Me. The general public mainly knows Despicable Me because of the Minions. The popularity of these little yellow creatures is immense, so it makes sense that they’re heavily featured in the Universal parks. Here in Osaka, Minion fans can head to Minion Park, a cheerful street full of shops, eateries and photo opportunities. Alongside an originally decorated flat ride, the main attraction is Despicable Me – Minion Mayhem. The seating arrangement differs from the American versions of the attraction (it’s actually similar to The Simpsons Ride), but the film and accompanying effects are the same. I won’t describe it as a must do, but it’s a fine family attraction nevertheless. It’s certainly more enjoyable than Villain-Con Minion Blast, an exact copy of that chaotic stand-up shooting attraction also found at Universal Studios Florida.

WATER RIDES

It’s not just the Minions that are inextricably linked to Universal; Jurassic Park and Jurassic World also count as two of the company’s strongest IPs. Consequently, this fictional dinosaur theme park has been given a place in every Universal resort. Here in Osaka the area is characterised by a jungle-like setting, live roaming dinosaurs and John Williams’ masterful soundtrack. Thrills are provided by The Flying Dinosaur and Jurassic Park – The Ride. This experience begins as a peaceful boat trip past harmless dinosaurs, but the atmosphere changes dramatically after a while. Riders suddenly encounter notably more dangerous creatures, and the ride’s climax is a 85-feet (26 metres) descent. Jurassic Park – The Ride is an attraction that shines thanks to its no-nonsense approach. Passenger don’t have to think about the storyline, but they can simply admire the scenery and endure the (surprisingly soaking) splash. Simplicity is key, even in the world of theme parks.

OTHER EXPERIENCES

When it comes to old attractions, Universal is less conservative than Disney. Classics regularly disappear to make way for more modern rides. The few remaining attractions from the early days of Universal Studios Japan are the aforementioned Jurassic Park shoot the chute and Jaws. This counts as a love it or hate it ride. It’s not exactly groundbreaking to sail past rubber shark heads and exploding water bombs. However, there’s a certain feel-good vibe surrounding the attraction, and a boat full of ecstatically screaming Japanese visitors certainly adds to the unique atmosphere. When we take into account the wonderful setting in the harbour town of Amity, I can’t help but love Jaws. Still, I don’t believe that this boat ride will be here for eternity. The attraction takes up a considerable plot of land and it’s surrounded by the hugely popular Nintendo and Harry Potter areas. Sooner or later, Mario or Harry will likely want to use this location for an expansion…

There’s also a good amount of kiddie and family rides in an area called Universal Wonderland. This may be considered as the Japanese alternative to Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure. Theming is based on franchises like Snoopy, Hello Kitty and Sesame Street. Many Universal parks seem to be lacking a true children’s area, so I’m very positive about Universal Wonderland.

ENTERTAINMENT

It makes sense that Universal’s most popular blockbusters are prominently featured in the parks. However, I still don’t understand why four out of the five resorts have a stunt show dedicated to a 1995 box office flop. WaterWorld has been a staple of the parks in Hollywood, Osaka, Singapore and Beijing, which is remarkable to say the least. Hasn’t Universal produced other films that could serve as inspiration for a stunt show over the last 30 years? Don’t get me wrong… WaterWorld is quite an entertaining show, but I just don’t see why Universal keeps holding on to an IP that doesn’t appeal to 95 percent of today’s visitors.

There’s more to discover for fans of live entertainment at Universal Studios Japan. We’re treated to some surprisingly strong vocals at the Universal Monsters Rock and Roll Show and we also catch a colourful afternoon parade. The best entertainment, however, is to be found at the Illumination Theatre, where Sing On Tour is playing. It features impressive sets, convincing animatronics and a few live actors. By the way… the hidden stars of the show are the theatre staff, who keep dancing along with every song throughout the entire performance. This show genuinely makes me want to watch Sing again.

BEAT THE CROWDS

Universal Studios Japan currently counts as the third most visited theme park on Earth. As a result, the park is often packed. However, I’d definitely recommend a visit, even if you hate big crowds. Ride capacity at Universal Studios Japan is very high. Besides, the park has Universal Express, which allows you to pay for shorter queues. Be sure to buy your Express passes well in advance, as they sell out quite frequently. Also, single rider lines can definitely help you to avoid the longest waits. Most major attractions offer single rider options and the park even provides an estimated wait time for these single rider lines. In our experience, actual wait times were almost always shorter than the displayed wait.

WORTH A VISIT?

Universal Studios Japan deserves to be on every theme park enthusiast’s bucket list. There are good theme parks and there are exceptional theme parks, and Universal Studios Japan undoubtedly belongs in the second category. The park features several world-class attractions, the level of theming is exceptionally high, and the staff are (in true Japanese style) fantastic. I therefore fully understand Universal Studios Japan’s popularity, and I can live with the fact that we were faced with large crowds even on weekdays. It doesn’t look as though Universal’s attendance will decrease any time soon. Super Nintendo World continues to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Osaka, and the former Spider-Man attraction will undoubtedly be replaced by another crowd-pleaser. If there’s one thing that’s kind of disappointing, it’s the lack of a nighttime spectacular. The central lake offers a perfect location for something like CineSational in Florida, so it’s a shame that there’s no real highlight to conclude the day at Universal Studios Japan.

It was a pleasure to visit Universal Studios Japan again. We went on a mine cart ride, we experienced pure nostalgia in Amity Village, and we rode Hollywood Dream while listening to a Japanese pop song. Our day was filled with top-notch adventures, so I definitely count Universal Studios Japan among the world’s best theme parks. But what do you think? What’s your favourite roller coaster in this park? Am I being too harsh on Koopa’s Challenge? And is Jaws an unmissable attraction, or do you think it’s just old-fashioned rubbish? I’d love to read your thoughts, so please leave a message in the comments section below.

This article reflects my personal experience at Universal Studios Japan during a visit in April 2026.