Spend your holiday at Universal Studios Japan

If you like Hollywood movies, Mario, or Marvel comics, have I got the place for you—Universal Studios Japan!
Let’s take a brief look at the park, some of the attractions, and seasonal events.

■The Park

Colloquially known as USJ, the park was first opened in March 2001 and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. A favorite destination for families, couples, and school field trips, the park has an impressive 20+ rides and a variety other attractions and shows that will entertain your socks off!

There’s something for everyone, from the Wonderland area full of little kids’ favorites like Sesame Street, Hello Kitty, and Snoopy to the park’s biggest roller coaster—Hollywood Dream, the ride.
Jaws, Spider-Man, Jurassic Park, Minions, Mario!!! The list goes on…

▲Super Nintendo World

There is shopping and wonderful theme stores that sell souvenirs and confections that you’ve only seen in movies. Actually, as you walk around the park, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set, or been whisked away into a far-off country.

▲Hogwarts Castle, in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

▲Zonkos, toy store in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

▲Exploding Bonbons, for sale at Honeydukes

■The Shows

Indoor performances can be seen at all of the park’s many indoor theaters. Some are long-running favorites like the Monster, and some are newer and potentially limited-time attractions. So come see them while they’re on stage.

Gorgeous lighting, lively sound, and fun special effects make these performances a blast! And on the off chance that the weather isn’t great when you visit, these theaters will ensure you have a great day at USJ.

▲SING on tour

There’s nothing like seeing performers sing and act live, right before your eyes! I’m still not sure how they levitated this feather, or how they pulled off the other tricks in this show, but it definitely looked like magic!

And, it was clever how actors delivered lines in both English and Japanese. What with being in Japan and all, many of the performances at USJ are done in Japanese, but the Wand Studies show did a smart job of having actors deliver lines in English and their counterparts respond and summarize at the same time.

▲Wand Studies, in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area

In pre-covid times you could count on seeing a fabulous parade at the end of a day. Depending on the season, it may have a particular theme—Christmas, carnival, water party. It’s a fun way to see tons of characters and enjoy a whole range of music and it’s always a huge draw. For now, let’s suffice to say that the next parade is scheduled for spring 2022.


▲Minions steal center stage in the 2017 summer parade

■ Seasonal attractions & food

Universal Studios is fun any time of year. But there is just something so special about visiting the park around Christmas. Every year, the park features slightly new decorations, different shows, and a new spin on holiday fun.

▲Universal Studios Tree 2021

▲Universal Studios Tree with projection mapping background

▲Tree 2017

And the park characters dress up for special occasions too. You can still take your pictures with the characters and they do manage to communicate with guests through expressive gestures, even while maintaining social distancing.

▲Snoopy, Lucy, & Charlie Brown dressed up for Christmas

Christmas isn’t the only time you can see characters in special outfits. Of course they dress up in costume for Halloween too!

▲Minions in costume

▲Peanuts characters in costume

And there are always special shows and fun seasonal events going on in the park. Halloween is especially popular with the horror-themed escape rooms, terrifying haunted houses, and zombie zones.


▲Zombies come out at night in designated zones

Even with all the frightening entertainment, the park is still a friendly place for kids. Staff carry bags of candy, so when you spot one, run over and trick-or-treat (I believe this is limited to children park guests, but I guess it never hurts to try). Snack stands sell Chucky-themed doughnuts, and the churros come in fun Halloween colors. There are even entire plates of Halloween-themed food at the park’s many restaurants.

▲Halloween specials

■Staying overnight

And finally I’d like to propose making your visit last a little longer. Although it is possible to cover a lot of ground in one day, if you do USJ in one day, you’ll probably leave with a few things left undone. But, if you plan a night in one of the nearby hotels, you can make your USJ last a little bit longer.

▲Entrance to The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
We stayed over in The Park Front Hotel. Opened in 2015, it is the absolute closest hotel to the park, with an entrance that is literally steps away from the park gates.

▲The Park Front Hotel room
The lobby was beautiful and bright, and the rooms were surprisingly spacious. Comfy beds and restaurants located on the first floor and really all around Universal City Walk will make your stay oh-so-convenient. There’s even a Tully’s Coffee & Eggs ’N Things right in the same building!

▲The Park Front Hotel lobby

There are tons more amazing hotels near the park too. And many of them, including The Park Front offer deals on day passes, express passes, and sometimes even discounts for annual pass holders.

Have a wonderful time exploring the park and its many wonders!

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