World by City

Theme parks

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン) is a theme park located in Osaka, Japan. Opened on March 31, 2001, it is one of six Universal Studios theme parks worldwide and was the first to open outside the United States. The park is owned and operated by USJ LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast NBCUniversal. The park is similar in layout to Universal Studios Florida and contains selected attractions from both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, in addition to a small number of unique attractions.

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan is a Hollywood-style movie and entertainment theme park in Osaka, built around rides, shows, and themed lands tied to major film and animation franchises. Visitors go for the roller coasters and simulator rides, the detailed set-piece environments (such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World), and character-based shows and parades. It draws both families and enthusiasts of the specific franchises represented in the park.

Getting there

From central Osaka, the park is reached via the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station, usually changing from the JR Osaka Loop Line at Nishikujo. From Osaka Station, the journey takes roughly 20-30 minutes including the transfer. Universal City Station sits directly in front of the park entrance.

Time to allow

A full day is typical for covering the main rides and a show or two. Visitors wanting to experience popular areas like Super Nintendo World without long waits, or who plan to enter a second themed area requiring a separate timed entry, sometimes spread the visit across parts of two days.

When to go

The park gets busy on weekends, Japanese school holidays, and around New Year and Golden Week (late April to early May), with waits for headline attractions stretching long at those times. Arriving near opening and heading straight to the most popular rides helps reduce time spent in queues. Weekday visits outside peak holiday periods tend to be calmer.

Combining with nearby sights

The Kyū-Yodo River and Mount Tenpō are both about 0.7km away and can be reached on foot, making them easy to pair with a park visit. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of Japan's larger aquariums, is about 1.2km away and works well as a half-day add-on before or after the park. The main Yodo River is a bit further at 2.4km.

Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Open in Maps Read more on Wikipedia

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

Search on GetYourGuide Search on Klook Official site

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Universal Studios Japan

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Lines are straight connections, not actual routes.

Universal Studios Japan Nearby stays

Locations and names come from OpenStreetMap. Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Osaka 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Osaka covering Abeno Harukas, Shitennō-ji Temple, Universal Studios Japan, Yodo River and other highlights, grouped so each day stays within a short travel distance.

3 nights, 4 days

Osaka 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Osaka covering Abeno Harukas, Shitennō-ji Temple, Universal Studios Japan, Yodo River and other highlights, grouped so each day stays within a short travel distance.

Good to visit alongside

Kyū-Yodo River

Nature

Kyū-Yodo River

The Kyū-Yodo River was the main stream of the Yodo River before 1907, when the current (new) Yodo River was constructed by a normalisation project. Now called the Kyū-Yodo River, it is a major waterway in central Osaka and the main drainage of Neyagawa river.

0.7 km away
Mount Tenpō

Nature

Mount Tenpō

Mount Tenpō , located in Minato-ku, Osaka, is Japan's second lowest mountain. The mountain's peak is 4.53 metres (14.9 ft) above sea level, and bears more resemblance to a hill than a mountain. A small port is located nearby, and much of the mountain's surface has been converted into a park.

0.7 km away
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Zoos & aquariums

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is an aquarium located in the ward of Minato in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, near Osaka Bay. When it opened in 1990, it was the largest public aquarium in the world.

1.2 km away
Yodo River

Nature

Yodo River

The Yodo River , also called the Seta River and the Uji River at portions of its route, is the principal river in Osaka Prefecture on Honshu, Japan. The source of the Class A river is Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture to the north.

2.4 km away
Osaka Bay Tower

Views & landmarks

Osaka Bay Tower

The Osaka Bay Tower (大阪ベイタワー), also known as ORC 1, is a mixed-use, mainly hotel and office, skyscraper in the Osaka Resort City 200 building complex located in the Minato-ku ward of Osaka, Japan. Completed in March 1993, it stands at 200 m (656 ft) tall, with the top floor located at 188.7 m (619 ft). It is the 5th tallest building in Osaka Prefecture and the 36th tallest building in Japan.

2.6 km away
Amagasaki Castle

Castles & palaces

Amagasaki Castle

Amagasaki Castle was a flatland type Japanese castle located in the city of Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The castle was the headquarters of Amagasaki Domain, which ruled this portion of northern Settsu Province under the Tokugawa shogunate of Edo Period Japan. The castle was destroyed in the early Meiji period, but a portion was reconstructed in 2018.

5.6 km away