The 44 best sights in Osaka (2024)

I definitely recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. We came Friday/Saturday with 2 day passes. The lines to come in are long, the lines for the rides are long, the lines for food (snacks) are long. If you can definitely get the express passes they are worth the $$$. Nintendo World is cool but VERY VERY busy. Once the area is full you'll have to get a timed area ticket via their ticket section in the park or via APP. (APP is easiest.) The restaurants inside are pricey. The Mario Cafe food was cute but the food was barely warm. Everywhere in the park the staff is helpful, and very kind. The bathrooms are all over the place (if you have kids download the app to show you where they are), very clean, and big. They could really use more benches and seating areas around the park. It is a lot of walking/standing so wear comfortable shoes.

We got to the park at 7 for the 8am opening, and there was already a MASSIVE throng of people waiting to get in. We spent much of the day waiting in lines. There were extremely long lines for rides, foods, drinks, the bathroom, and even to get into stores! We rode 4 rides all day, and having paid what we did to get in- this was a huge disappointment. We were able to access all areas of the park- including Mario World- which was amazing. The park was very clean. The workers were extremely nice and helpful. The APP was not very user friendly and we had to ask for help from workers on site often. You definitely need more than 1 day here if you want to experience every ride without having to pay the outrageous express pass prices. We spent a lot of time just walking around the Harry Potter and Mario World areas, as there was a lot to look at. I will say every bit of food we ate was on point and delicious!

Lines were crazy at a few times, and it was hot and uncomfortable, however we had a great time. I wish there was more seating and more shade options especially in lines. As for Nintendo world I wish more interactive boxes were available in the queues to make waiting more enjoyable. It was definitely worth it and I also want to note it was very affordable. Unlike the states there is no captive audience fee for drinks. Small surcharge but no way the same as in the USA. Will be coming back to keep using our power up bands!!!

What an incredible experience to be part of Universal Studio Japan. Super clean, details, quality are all there. Washrooms are super clean, well maintained. Surprisingly, the entry price is slightly cheaper than the equivalent in the US after conversion.The only one complaint I would say, no retry policy. I think this needs to be looked at again. There's situation where you do want to exit and grab meds or forgot baby stuff or even rest, hopefully, this rule could be relaxed one day.It was super busy the 2 days we were there (Mon, Tue) in Aug. Oddly, there is a 1hr "early" entry before the park actual opening time. This is free for everyone. Knowing this, people do tend to come even 1hr or 1.5hr before the early entry time. What's more confusing, people who bought 15min early entry, I'm not even sure how that works.Overall good experience 👍

Very fun place for a day trip. Lots of fun rides and can be pretty quick lines if you’re lucky. Food was quite expensive but was tasty and the restaurants were visually appealing. The base ticket worked just fine for us and we got most of the things done that we wanted to do. I would suggest going early so you can get a good time for the Super Nintendo world. Nintendo world was extremely busy and the rest bands were a bit more expensive than I thought they would be. Magical place even though it was extremely hot.

Universal Studios Japan exceeded all expectations, delivering an extraordinary blend of excitement and entertainment. From heart-pounding rides that defy gravity to enchanting shows that captivate the imagination, every corner of the park is a new adventure waiting to unfold. The attention to detail in recreating beloved movie worlds is astonishing, making you feel like you've stepped into the magic of Hollywood. The friendly staff adds to the positive experience, ensuring a seamless visit. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or a fan of movie magic, Universal Studios Japan is a haven for unforgettable moments. It's a place where dreams come to life, and the memories created will last a lifetime. Highly recommended for families, friends, and anyone ready for a dose of pure fun!

I really don't understand people's enthusiasm for this place after seeing it for myself. If it wasn't for Harry Potter world and super Nintendo world it would be a complete waste of time. What value for money do you get out of it? You have to wait in line for over 2 hrs at most of the popular rides, then you get maybe 3-5 mins of fun. Then back to waiting in the insanely long lines if you want anything. I mean to even get any snack, you will be having to line up for probably half an hour. Then on-top of the costly price of admission, everything in the park costs a small fortune. We went to the three broomsticks in Harry Potter world for lunch, the drinks and desserts were actually great, but the main meals were very under whelming. There was corn which was way overcooked, bland veggies on a plate. Overall pretty disappointing after forking out around $150 just for an average lunch. Then there's just the obvious things the park could address, there's only a couple of places to buy butter beer outside of the restaurant, so naturally there are huge lines. I guess maybe Japanese people might be used to huge crowds, but to me it is unacceptable to have to wait in line for an hour for a freaking drink! Why wouldn't they just have a few more spots where you can purchase it? Overall I know I have complained a lot and there are lots of good things about the park and there is much to see if you just walk around, but if you want to participate be prepared to spend most of the day waiting in a long, long line.

An excellent theme park suitable for all ages! Purchased tickets in advance, including fast pass tickets, which are a bit pricey at 1.5 times the entrance ticket cost. Despite the cost, I strongly recommend the fast pass for quicker access to popular rides. It's essential for entering Nintendo World, which has a strict policy and requires a specific time slot for fast pass holders. Some opt to camp before opening for a chance to enter without a fast pass, but it's on a first-come, first-served basis if you register.My top picks were Nintendo World and Harry Potter World. Spending a whole day at USJ is highly recommended. While food and drinks are typical theme park prices, they remain affordable, and I enjoyed everything. I recommend this to anyone visiting Osaka, regardless of age.

It's a theme park so it's going to be expensive and lines are not really possible to avoid.That being said the park was generally really good for a couple with no kids. We felt that 1 day was enough to visit all areas, hit the big rides and have time to wander into various shops and shows. If you have little kids you might need 2 days to hit everything.The main downside for me is that an express pass is almost mandatory on top of the ticket price in order to see most of the main attractions. The queue times can very quickly go to 90 minutes or even 2 hours per ride which will seriously limit your ability to explore. Some of the other large rides like Hollywood coaster and the Jurassic park ride were out of action. The majority of the rides are not big thrill rides.The food is on the high side as expected but not terribly extortionate. The themed diner for Demon Slayer was actually quite tasty.The park is exceptionally clean. Toilets are located in multiple areas as well as drinking water stations or paid snacks/drinks.The staff are all wonderful. From open to close they are smiling, waving and helping guests to have a good time. It's a tough job to keep that up but they did it well. Performing all day in all weather is hard!

A place of fun, enjoyable and memorable moments for the family. Filled with lots of fun rides, yummy treats and a whole lot of characters that you would like to enjoy! Such loving times in Japan :)You can get tickets ahead of time to lessen the lines. The staff are all so corteous and filled with great service.There is also a Harry Potter site filled with so much color and fun.

Simply a blast to be here! Came on a Monday expecting thinner crowd but it was still full. Buy tickets in advance and don’t make the mistake we made and buy it when we arrived. Waiting in line is a common theme here but you can minimize it if you plan accordingly. Once you are inside the park, it makes sense why it’s so popular. Great presentation of different fun characters that you’ve come to love. For food, there is so many options to choose from. For rides, you need at least couple days to appreciate all of it. Everything is pricey even the food. Either way, that is all parks like this. Highly recommended and a must visit.

How can you not visit this place when you come to Osaka?The Nintendo theme park is definitely amazing and breathtaking. I could probably spent five hours in here just to look at the details of the construction.There are no words to describe how fun and exciting the ride was. I would say it’s definitely worth an hour or two to wait for the ride, although I did have a fast pass before coming into the theme park.Do not miss out on this area I would recommend to come to the park early and to go directly to the Nintendo area and come back later in the afternoon towards the evening because both as unique look and feel during the day and night

Super fun and interesting place to visit.Went to queue in the morning at 715am and there was lots of people queueing up at the entrance. Express tickets are sold out months before.Lucky enough to view the summer special for Mario theme.Transportation was convenient. Nintendo Super Mario was the first stop. Went for the single rider option, whereby the waiting time was much lower. It’s truly amazing for the Mario Kart ride. Amazed by the technology.Staff there are always smiling and encouraging people to try out all rides.The show at Sing is good and interacting.Definitely a happy place!

A lot of fun!! even if going in summer time. Shorter waiting time (1 to 1.5 hrs without express) but it was so hot and a bit hard to find the place to sit and eat over the lunch time. I think going in another season where the weather is cooler might be better. Recommend to buy the express ticket as well. Worth it!!

So, I hit up Universal Studios Japan on a scorching 40+ degree day, and boy, was it an adventure! Now, don't get me wrong, the place is jam-packed with awesome stuff, but there's a catch - crowds. 🥵If you're not a fan of waiting in lines that stretch to infinity (1.5 to 2-hour waits for rides AND food) you might want to think twice. Seriously, it's like every minion in Minion Park decided to show up at the same time!The rides we did get on were a blast, but we only managed two because of the lines. If this place was half as busy, it'd be pure magic. But, 40-degree heat plus massive crowds? Not exactly my idea of a breezy day out.So, in a nutshell, if you're up for some patience-testing fun and can handle the heat, Universal Studios Japan's got some epic rides and shows. But if you're more of an "instant gratification" type, you might wanna plan your visit wisely, possibly over a multi-day visit 🎢

Autumn 28 Nov 23 and my last visit was in Summer of 07. Park was well maintained and all staffs were very welcoming and made the experience very enjoyable!Though food options were not cheap but at least quality is not bad and the items were all delicious and visually pleasing.The Hollywood Dream ride is now upgraded with Backdrop! There's one que for the express pass entry on the left which then later splits into two. Very thrilling to be riding a roller coaster backwards and it was an amazing feeling to be on this particular ride!The only disappointment of the day was that Mario Kart was out of service when it was time for entry at about 6pm. And the place was super crowded...It's a good thing that I purchased the express pass and rode on 9 thrill rides since entry at 8.30am and left at 7pm.

What can I say but ‘wow’. I felt like a teenager again. The shows, rides and even the food were simply perfect. The easiest and fastest way from Osaka city is via taxi. Definitely spend the extra to obtain a fast track cue to rides. I went on a Monday. The crowd was manageable, and equally a sight to see as many Japanese dress in the theme for the experience. If you like extra fun hats this is the place to buy it from. This is a place you must visit that captures the modern Japanese spirit. No rushing, no pushing or people jumping cues. Everyone is polite and respectful. Most of all they added to the enjoyment. Has to be one of the best in the world for theme parks.

Without the express pass isn’t worth it, unless you’re a Japanese citizen. To much people at every attraction. To enjoy it 100% for 2 people you need at least between 450 to 550 US dollars. Still, staff is dead friendly and the attractions are really cool. Don't get your hopes up that there won't be people, there always is. Harry Potter world was my favorite one.

We came here really to check out Nintendo World, and it didn't disappoint. Attention to detail was awesome and Mario kart ride was a lot of fun along with the entire area being interactive if you have the wrist bands.Quick note, though, even with timed access limiting crowds, it was still packed. Best bet would be to try and get an early timed entry. Also, do some research beforehand if you want to try and hit all the "mini-games" and unlock everything.Also, somewhat unrelated but the Jurassic Park roller was top 5 best coasters I've been on. Definitely worth checking out.

BUY EXPRESS PASS! BUY EXPRESS PASS! MUST BUY EXPRESS PASS!It changed your whole experience with express pass when some rides need to queue for 120 min.If not able to buy express pass for all rides，go earlier before the park opens， so you can do 1 or 2 rides with less queue. Go for single rider line which might help little bit.Otherwise, there were different little shows or characters' greetings in different areas to enjoy. Even all shows were in Japanese (with English subtitles during the introduction only)，it wouldn't bother you to understand the stories.I went during weekday around Mid April. Not peak time but still quite a lot of people in the park.Lots of choices in gift shops in different price points suitable for everybody.Staffs were super nice and friendly. Just like as in Disneyland. They were well trained to make visitors feel like being in a dream world.My top 3 rides:Happy Potter and the Forbidden JourneyMinions MayhemMario's cart adventure

Easy to get there by train. Great experience when visit Osaka. Have fun with family. Recommend to buy ticket before arrival. To avoid long waiting time, express or VIP ticket is a good option. Waited for 90 mins to ride Harry Potter and Forbidden journey, but it’s worth. Must try Harry Potter’s butter beer.

It’s always a 5 stars experience going to a Universal Studios theme park!Osaka version is probably one of the best in the world, with the new addition of Nintendo World it really gives you so many options throughout the whole park!We had a great time visiting both the Harry Potter castle and Nintendo World, and I strongly recommend the food at Harry Potter cafe as it is really yummy and it makes you feel like you are transported into the books.If budget permits, do get the express passes it will free up more of your time to enjoy the other section of the parks since there tends to be longer queue at top attractions.They also do have tax refund near the entrance so you do get some of your money back if you are buying any of the merchandise.Overall an amazing experience, and I think if time is on your end. Make this a 2 day visit to really enjoy the whole park.

First time going to a universal studios and this place didn’t disappoint. Highly recommend reserving a fast pass in advance. We hardly waited in live and it guarantees a visit to Nintendo world(which was super packed). Highly recommend the flying dinosaur ride! That one was the best! Staff are so friendly. They seemed to have opened the doors earlier than what was on google. We went on a Wednesday and it was raining and it was still very packed.

Amazing experience visiting Universal Studios Japan. Highly recommend buying tickets online and at least one month in advance to secure your slot for the day. Didn't get express passes but was able to go to all the attractions we wanted because we went 1 hour before the park opened. Must see attractions are the Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World and Jurassic Park for the classic rides. Will definitely go back again.

Had a great day at universal studios. The rides are all in Japanese so I didn’t understand a lot of what was going on but still enjoyed it. Like any theme park there are queues for literally everything from the rides to the restaurants and snack vans.All the staff are extremely lovely and try to help as much as possible. If you’re hoping to visit Nintendo World don’t forget you need to buy additional tickets.I would also recommend getting express passes as this helps you go on as many rides as you can in the day!

An electrifying and lively experience if you are in Osaka, eachattraction is worth experiencing because the organization andeffects are top-notch, both in terms of the various roller coasterrides and the live shows! There really is something for everyone,young and adult alike!We didn't have any big lines thanks to the Express ticket, which Ihighly recommend to maximize the time spent having fun.For the one attraction (Jaws) we did without the Express tickethowever we only waited 30/40 minutes in the late afternoon so notthat bad.

Title: A Magical Day at Universal Studios Japan - A Must-Visit Experience!I recently visited Universal Studios Japan, and I can't emphasize enough how incredible the experience was! My first piece of advice: splurge on both the general admission pass and the express pass – it's a game-changer!The express pass is worth every penny, ensuring you enjoy all the fantastic rides without spending hours in line. Trust me, this insider tip will elevate your visit to a whole new level.The atmosphere is pure joy, with staff members consistently upbeat, waving at everyone, and even complimenting your merchandise choices. It's these little touches that make the experience truly magical.We immersed ourselves in the Mario rides, jaw-dropping roller coasters, the enchanting world of Harry Potter, the thrilling Spider-Man adventure, and the stunning Backdrop – making it one of the best days of my life. The memories created here are truly priceless.And let's not forget the food – an array of fantastic options that turn Universal Studios Japan into its own culinary province. Whether you're a local planning multiple visits or a one-time visitor, the variety of delectable choices will leave you satisfied.USJ is a must-visit destination, and investing in the express pass is a game-changer for an unforgettable experience. Don't miss out on the joy, excitement, and magic this place has to offer!

Visited in Feb 2024. Mixed experience. Whilst the overall theming of areas like Super Nintendo Land are stunning, sadly the park on the whole is feeling a little bit run down. There are now more stores than attractions following the closure of Spider-Man earlier in the year. Whilst the ticket fee is quite cheap (in comparison to the US parks!) it’s also reflects how much there is to do. Lines typically seemed to hit 90+ minutes for the most popular attractions with some peaking to 130+. Still, a worthwhile trip, but don’t plan to be there dusk until dawn.

A definitely must go to! Nintendo World is amazing same as Harry Potter. I recommend reserving and getting the express ticket for Nintendo world as it can quickly get sold out months of advance. This place definitely get super super busy. Come 1-2 hour before it open as it get CRAZY. It is extremely packed and even more packed during tourist time.

We arrived early so we didn't have to queue. We therefore entered immediately and I must say that the amusem*nt park itself is fantastically decorated. You really feel that you are entering a fantastic universe with beautiful decorations.We started by going to Harry Potter world and even though we arrived early there was over 180 minutes long queue for the coaster. We therefore chose to go and try another ride, which was Jaws. Here we waited for 180 minutes before we finally got on. The ride was fun but only lasted 5 minutes. Which does not make sense in relation to the waiting time.We later find out that you could buy access to Super Nintendo World, which costs extra, otherwise you have to win it in the lottery?? we tried to win it in the lottery, but of course we didn't win. We also went in and saw Waterworld. It was a fantastic show and was probably the only thing worth the wait.It's only worth visiting Universal Studios Osaka if you buy access to everything + fast access to the rides so you don't have to spend over 2 hours waiting each time.

Would recommend to anyone and will be coming back on our next trip. Wear one of the hats all day, it makes the experience so much fun. Get here early maybe 7am, we managed to get into supernintendo before all the timed entry. The rides were all amazing. Our highlight was in harry potters castle

12 hours in USJ!! 😭👌🏻First of all I wanna visit Nintendo Mario World so I booked a ticket for 9 am to entrance the park when I arrived I walk directly to the Nintendo zone but it is so highly demanding so I can enter to the zone on 8.30 pm!🥶 During the killing time I decided to visit Hogwarts zone and get queue for attraction and the bad joke is I waited over 3 hours for enjoying an attraction just only 15 minutes 🤣 but it’s was fun and worth it! I spent a lot of time for waiting the queue in every attraction here… besides that I enjoyed the marching show and other attractions like Snoopy Town,Jaw,Water World,My hero academy. And 8.30 finally I can enter to Nintendo zone! So tired but the zone was amazing and I love it 💗 Right now my legs already broken from this park 6555555💀

We went super early and didn’t have to wait long at all before entering the park. The entry lines are so well managed and we moved through quickly.The staff at this park are so enthusiastic about their roles and truly add to the sheer excitement and wonder of just being there!Highly recommend purchasing the timed entry into Super Nintendo World and express passes beforehand as it will leave you more time to enjoy the park and also queue up for other rides.We breezed right through some crazy lines the day we were there some of which had two hour wait times.

Wow! I was very impressed with the immersion I'm each of the areas. Nintendo world knocked it out of the park!! Very impressed with the rides, and the organized chaos that comes with the busy long lines!We were able to ride every ride, and explore every timed area in one day. We got there at opening, and left by 330!We bought the passes that included both areas and got through all the major rides on our designated time frame very quickly. If you only have 1 day, the expensive tickets are worth it to get everything done.They did open the gates about 30 minutes early, but we had only gotten there about an hour early, so it took us nearly 45 min to get through the gates.My only complaint/reccomendation, would be to have the lines better organized prior to park opening. They kind of blended together the closer you got to the entrance and took forever to zipper in with each limlne.

Been waiting very long to go to USJ, and the place did not disappoint. however, the queues are ridiculously long, so I would recommend that you get the express pass if you really want to try out most of the rides there, especially to enter some limited areas like Super Nintendo World.I did not manage to get into the area as they require a balloting system for you to enter the place and you only get 1 chance per day so if you lost the ballot then and there you will be unable to enter the area. But other than that, the place is great. The merchandise is diverse, and the atmosphere is amazing.Will definitely go again with express pass this time.