Universal Studios Japan Tickets: Studio Pass, Express Pass and What to Book First

Short answer: book your Studio Pass (the admission ticket) first, as soon as you know your date, because the price depends on the day you visit. Then decide whether you want an Express Pass for the rides you care most about. Check how entry to Super Nintendo World works for your date on the official USJ website or app. Getting there is easy: the park is right by Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line, about 15 minutes from Osaka Station.

Below I go through each ticket in the order I'd book them, then the train. Klook prices are the "from" prices shown at the time of writing. They change by date, option and currency, so check the live price before you pay.

Step 1: the Studio Pass (admission)

The Studio Pass is the basic ticket that gets you into the park. Everything else, including the Express Pass, comes on top of it. Osaka's official tourism site notes that the price may differ depending on your admission date, and points you to the official USJ site for details. So there isn't one fixed price to plan around. Pick your date first, then look at what that day costs.

• Why book early: once you know your date, there's nothing to gain by waiting, and you avoid sorting out tickets on the morning itself.
• On Klook: the Studio Pass is sold as an e-ticket with a QR code for direct entry. It's rated 4.8 from about 89,800 reviews, with more than 6 million booked, from about US$53 at the time of writing.
• Tip: make sure the date on your ticket matches the day you'll actually go, and keep the QR code somewhere you can open it without signal.

Check prices for your date on the Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass on Klook (affiliate link).

Step 2: decide on an Express Pass

An Express Pass is a separate, paid product sold on top of admission. Its job is to cut the waiting: in USJ's own wording for one of its Express Passes, it lets you experience the ride "smoothly". An Express Pass is tied to specific attractions, so the option you choose decides which rides are covered.

• Who it's for: anyone with only one day at the park, or anyone with a short list of must-ride attractions who would rather pay than queue.
• Who can skip it: if you have a flexible day, don't mind lines, or mainly want to walk around, eat and see shows, the Studio Pass alone may be enough.
• On Klook: the Express Pass is rated 4.7 from about 53,100 reviews, with more than 3 million booked, from about US$78.29 at the time of writing. Prices vary a lot by option and date.
• Before you pay: read the list of attractions in the option you pick, check its date, and check whether it includes park admission or needs a separate Studio Pass.

Compare the options on Universal Studios Japan Express Pass on Klook (affiliate link).

Step 3: Super Nintendo World entry

Super Nintendo World is the area most first-time visitors want to see. The park sets its own rules for entering this area, and I'd rather not repeat a method here that might be out of date by the time you visit. My advice is simple:

• Look up the current entry method for Super Nintendo World on the official USJ website a few days before your visit.
• Install the official USJ app before you go, and check it again on the morning of your visit.
• If you're buying an Express Pass, read its description carefully to see what it says, if anything, about Super Nintendo World.

While you're on the official site, check the opening hours for your date too.

Getting there by train

The nearest station is Universal City Station on JR West's Yumesaki Line, and the park is right next to it. According to JR West:

• From Osaka Station: take the Osaka Loop Line counterclockwise from track 1, and change at Nishikujo to a Yumesaki Line train bound for Sakurajima. Some trains run straight through from Osaka Station to Universal City Station, but only at certain times of day. Either way, the trip takes about 15 minutes.
• From Kyoto: take JR to Osaka Station, then follow the route above. Our Kyoto and Osaka getting-around guide compares the ways to get between the two cities.
• From Namba: you can go by rail with a change of trains. Check a route planner from your hotel, or take the direct bus below.

If you're planning several JR days around Kansai, see whether a regional pass makes sense in Japan Rail Passes: Which Ones Are Actually Worth It. Arriving at Kansai Airport first? See Kansai Airport to Osaka and Kyoto.

Alternatives: the Dotonbori bus and a private transfer

If you're staying around Namba and don't want to change trains, or you have small children and a lot of gear, these two are worth a look.

• Dotonbori to USJ bus: a bus between Osaka's Dotonbori area and Universal Studios Japan. Rated 4.3 from about 3,300 reviews on Klook, with more than 100,000 booked, at about US$11.60 at the time of writing. Osaka Dotonbori - Universal Studios Japan Bus on Klook (affiliate link).
• Private transfer (one way): a car between your Osaka hotel and the park. Rated 4.8 from about 630 reviews on Klook, with more than 6,000 booked, from about US$59.29 at the time of writing. For a family or group, splitting the cost can make sense, especially for the tired trip back. Osaka private transfer to or from USJ on Klook (affiliate link).

What to book: summary

Tips for the day

• Book in order: date first, then Studio Pass, then Express Pass. That way you never hold an Express Pass for a day you can't get into the park.
• Check the official site twice: once when you book, for opening hours, and again a day or two before, for Super Nintendo World entry and any changes.
• Charge your phone: your tickets and the official app all live on it. A power bank is worth carrying. See our eSIM, Wi-Fi and power bank guide.
• Watch the Nishikujo change: on the way back from Universal City, check whether your train runs through to Osaka Station before you settle in, or be ready to change at Nishikujo.
• Plan your evening: if you're heading back to Kyoto after a long day, look up your last convenient train before you leave the park.