Universal Studios Japan Tickets: Studio Pass, Express Pass and Super Nintendo World Entry
How USJ tickets work: date-specific Studio Passes with prices that change by day, what the Express Pass adds, the Super Nintendo World entry rules, and which ticket mistakes to avoid. Based on USJ's official pages.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka is one of Japan's busiest theme parks. Tickets are not a single flat price, and some areas need their own entry. Here is how the system works, based on USJ's official English pages.
The short answer
- Buy a date-specific Studio Pass in advance. The price depends on the day.
- An Express Pass is an add-on. You still need a Studio Pass.
- Super Nintendo World may need an extra entry ticket, depending on the day's conditions.
- Avoid resale tickets. USJ says resold tickets are not accepted.
Studio Pass (park entry ticket)
The Studio Pass gets you into the park and lets you use all the attractions. A few official rules to know:
- You must choose a date of visit when you buy.
- Prices differ by date. USJ says to check the price calendar on its website. We do not quote a price here, because it depends on the day.
- No re-entry: admission tickets (except Annual Studio Passes) do not allow you back in after you leave the park.
- Child or adult by age: guests aged 4 to 11 on the day of entry buy child tickets and guests aged 12 or over buy adult tickets. There is a school-year exception: guests who will start junior high school in April can buy child tickets until March 31, and must buy adult tickets from April 1.
- You can change your date after buying. USJ has an official page for changing your admission date.
If you buy in advance, you do not need to exchange your ticket for a Studio Pass, and you can go straight into the park.
Tickets can sell out
USJ says that sales of admission tickets on the official web ticket store end as soon as the ticket quota for the day is reached, even if the page still shows availability. If you have a firm date, buy early.
Where to buy
- The official Web Ticket Store (USJ's own ticketing site).
- Travel agencies. USJ's page lists travel agencies as a way to buy, and notes that the tickets available vary depending on where you purchase them.
- Partner hotels. If you stay at a partner hotel, you may be able to buy tickets on the day of check-in and the following day.
Do not buy resold tickets
USJ states that resale of tickets is strictly prohibited and that resold tickets are not accepted in the park. It also says QR codes on tickets bought from resellers, such as through ticket agency sites or online auction sites, will be nullified. Buy only through the official store or an official travel agency.
Universal Express Pass
The Universal Express Pass gives you quick access to attractions through shorter lanes. USJ notes that separate theme park admission is required, so you still need a Studio Pass.
- Some Express Passes include guaranteed admission to popular areas such as Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Some attractions on the pass are time-designated: you must go at the time printed on the ticket.
- Each guest needs their own ticket, and you present the whole ticket screen, not just the QR code. Tickets can only be used during the printed time.
- Ride and height requirements apply, and some attractions may stop operating.
The price of each Express Pass depends on the type and the date, so check the official page.
Super Nintendo World entry
USJ says that to enter Super Nintendo World, an "Area Timed Entry Ticket: Advance Booking" or an Area Timed Entry Ticket / Standby Entry Ticket may be required, depending on the conditions on the day.
- Buy the advance booking tickets before you go.
- Timed Entry Tickets or Standby Entry Tickets are issued through the official app on the day of your visit.
- Download the official app before your visit.
Current events
USJ's page lists seasonal events running now and soon. A few examples from the English site:
| Event | Period |
|---|---|
| Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! | November 13, 2026 – January 17, 2027 |
| Super Nintendo World 5th anniversary | March 18, 2026 – January 11, 2027 |
| 25th Anniversary "Discover U!!!" | March 4, 2026 – March 30, 2027 |
Events change often, so check USJ's site for your dates. Opening hours also vary by day.
Tips
- Pick your date first, then check the price calendar and compare days.
- Plan Super Nintendo World before you go. Whether you need an entry ticket depends on the day.
- Check the day's hours and events on the official site and in the app.
- Compare the official store and an official travel agency for the same date and ticket type.
For another big theme-park-style day out in Osaka, see our guide to the Osaka Amazing Pass. Note that USJ is not included in that pass.
Sources
Prices change
Prices, exchange rates and rules in this article were checked on the date shown above. They can change at any time, so please confirm on the official website before you book or buy.
