Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka is the most famous theme park in the Kansai region and one of four Universal Studios theme parks worldwide. It was the first Universal Studios-branded theme park to be built in Asia. Opened in March 2001, it is, after Tokyo Disney Resort, the most visited amusement park in Japan.
Universal Studios Japan has ten zones: Hollywood, New York City, San Francisco, Minion Park, Jurassic Park, WaterWorld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and—new in 2021—Super Nintendo World. There is plenty for visitors to experience: from kid-friendly carousels to thrilling roller coasters and simulations based on popular films like Spiderman, Back to the Future, Terminator 2, and Jurassic Park.
In addition, you have many opportunities to take photos with the mascots of popular characters such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty and the Muppets. There are also daily shows and parades that make a big impression, especially at night with beautiful lighting.
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Grab your wands and brooms! It's time to hop aboard the Hogwarts Express and explore the shops of Diagon Alley. Wander through Hogwarts and enjoy the heart-racing rides in this corner of USJ at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Timed tickets are required for entry.
Enjoy the live-action show exploring the story and characters of Waterworld! Watch from the edge of your seats as pirates splash across the arena and pryotechnics awe you.
Hit the scenic village of Amity and find yourself on quiet docks and quaint piers. But beware the depths . . . This ride will bring you face to teeth with the terror of Jaws.
Adventurers watch out for some of the most ferocious beasts since time began! Dinosaurs abound here at Jurassic Park. You can fly along with pterodactyls or escape down a watery slide. But remember, keep running.
Get groovy with your favorite banana-loving creatures. The minions are out in full force at Minion Park.
Aged down for the smaller explorers, Universal Wonderland has all your favorite mascots and rides for the kids!
Super Nintendo World is the first Mario theme park of its kind and invites guests into Mario's 3D world. Adventure with Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, and the red plumber himself!
In Osaka, there is a place where you can relive your childhood and be transported to a fantasy world. That place is none other than Universal Studio Japan, also known as USJ. This place brings fun and joy for both kids and adults. There is an illuminated parade in the evening and the newly opened Harry Potter Park is very popular.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or How to feel like a child again! In summer 2014, Universal Studios Japan opened a Harry Potter area in their Osaka theme park. So live your childhood dreams and go take a walk in Hogsmeade, visit Hogwarts and ride a broom in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Despicable Me! fans can rejoice as Universal Studio Japan unveils yet another wonderful theme-park, Minions Mayhem, as one of their latest additions. This yellow extravaganza includes a 3-D ride, minion-themed food bazaar and a merchandise marketplace.
Already been to Universal Studios Japan? First timer? Here are some collaboration events you probably didn't know about.
Universal Studios Japan sets record high in number of visitors. Magic was the theme of 2014, when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter stormed in over the summer.
Cool Japan at Universal Studios, four new featured attractions at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
When my friend suggested I go to Universal Studios with her in Osaka, I jumped at the chance. Universal Studios Japan is a masterpiece in entertainment and atmosphere.
I am not a hardcore Harry Potter fan. Really. I mean, I would like to thank JK Rowling for creating this series of books that aspired a whole generation and I watched every movie in the franchise but I wasn't all that excited when I first learned that I'll visit the theme park designed after it. But everything changed when I was actually standing in front of the gates of Hogsmeade.
The world’s longest roller coaster at 1124 metres, the world’s greatest height drop at 37.8 metres, combining Universal Studios Japan’s creativity and cutting-edge technology, Jurassic Park: The Flying Dinosaur will open this Spring, to mark the park’s 15th anniversary. Construction began last year, featuring text on the walls saying "The Greatest DINOSAUR RIDE IN THE WORLD! Coming in 2016...". This newest installment of Jurassic Park has a theme and story behind it. Pteranodons were secretly living within Jurassic Park and a research team had been working on getting them to carry an empty train for a "stable flight" experience. But these are wild animals, prone to suddenly break off and "runaway in flight". Riders will turn 360 degrees in the air, fly through the sky like a bird at great speeds, and be suspended face-down in midair, over the enchanting world of Jurassic Park.
Roller coaster enthusiast or not, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka may just be the perfect getaway for you, your family, or sweetheart during the holiday season. From November 15th to January 6th, the park transforms to Universal Wonder where you can experience an overwhelming glow of illuminations throughout the park.
Universal Cool Japan is back for 2016, revamped and better than ever, with five globally recognised entertainment brands helping relaunch this year's instalment that runs from January 15th until June 26th.
USJ's annual Universal Cool Japan celebration is back for 2019 with its 5th anniversary, showcasing some of Japan's top pop-culture brands.
Already jam-packed with adventurous rides, USJ looks to take the theme park industry up a notch this year with its new limited-time iconic rides as part of their Universal Cool Japan campaign.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has announced plans to introduce a new section in its popular theme park dedicated to the beloved Nintendo character, Donkey Kong.
From July 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025, USJ will open two new Demon Slayer-themed rides.
Super Nintendo World opened in spring 2021 inside of Universal Studios Japan. This is another of the special are...
Looking for a midrange hotel in Osaka City? Why not try APA Hotel Osaka Higobashi Ekimae
This clean simple budget hotel has everything you need to base your stay including free internet breakfast and coin operated laundry
HOTEL MYSTAYS Shinsaibashi makes for an excellent accomodation for tourists visiting Osaka. Combining chic, comfort and convenience, you should definitely consider this hotel on your next trip to this amazing city.
Osaka is famous for many things, one being delicious foods. Takoyaki, or fried octopus dumplings, are a tasty treat first popularized in Osaka.
On Saturdays and Sundays from December 4th until December 26th, the Hyatt Regency Osaka will host a Festive European Voyage Afternoon Tea. The event will include a variety of sweet and savory dishes from different European countries.
Once-in-a-lifetime dining at Kura Sushi Osaka-Kansai Expo will break records, unify the world and amaze you with top-notch technology, sustainable menus, diverse sushi, and international cuisine from all over the world. Osaka, the location of Kura Sushi’s headquarters (HQ), is the perfect host. Samurai called the prefecture Japan’s Kitchen, and Meiji revolutionaries called it the City of Water. In 1958, the first kaiten-zushi (conveyor-belt sushi or sushi train) opened in Osaka, and the 1970 World Expo in Osaka popularised the concept. Let yourself be tempted. Will you enjoy unheard-of sushi during your exploration of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka/Kansai, or will you enjoy the world-class event simply because you’re a foodie? Kura Sushi Osaka-Kansai Expo is Uniting the World Reflecting the theme of Expo 2025 “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, Kura Sushi will open a high-tech sustainable restaurant with novel fusion menus fostering a sense of potential, hope, and friendly neighbourhood, as well as multicultural awareness and an appreciation of the world’s diversity. This next-generation model will break records, innovate, and celebrate more than just Japanese food culture under a “One World” concept. [photo id='239886'] Longest ever for a sushi store, Kura Sushi’s conveyor belt will be longer than the distance from the home plate to the batter's eye screen of the Dodger Stadium. Where a typical belt stretches only to 90 metres, this one will connect worldwide sushi lovers and curious gourmets over a staggering 135 metres. Within the 800㎡ space, the conveyor belt will reach private box seats with tatami that can accommodate groups of up to six people, including wheelchair-accessible tables. Kura Sushi will offer representative cuisines from around the world, tasted and validated by each embassy to complement its classic favourites. This internationalisation will let you enjoy a truly unique dining experience only possible at Expo 2025. Bookmark this article for exciting updates in January! [photo id='239893'] [photo id='239895'] [photo id='239894'] The sushi store’s advanced, big data, artificial intelligence and user-friendly technologies developed by Kura Sushi over decades will boost already first-rate efficiency, quality control, and hygiene. [photo id='239884'] Mirroring Japan’s fishing tradition and membership of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, Kura Sushi demonstrates an unwavering commitment to taste and the health of the oceans: Kura Sushi developed a “sushitainable” (sustainable sushi) menu with fishermen featuring responsibly-sourced and lesser-known fish. Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.4 about sustainable fishing, it reduces pressure on popular species to avoid overfishing and conserve marine resources. Through its Wild Fish Project launched in 2010, Kura Sushi directly buys fish—including whole-boat catches—from 120 fishing ports and fisheries cooperatives, spearheading sustainable fishing practices and stabilising the income of fishermen. In the end, the lack of intermediaries lowers prices for travellers like you. Kura Sushi also breeds fish. For instance, it nurtures fish too small for immediate consumption and raises species that smell/taste bad until fed in specific ways (e.g. cabbage instead of seaweed). In the frame of the Fish 100% Project, unsellable pieces of fish are turned into powdered feed for other fish, which is sometimes mixed with citrus oil or peel for a final fruity taste. More modestly, the natural plaster of the Kura Sushi Osaka-Kansai Expo restaurant’s exterior walls adds a touch of sustainability and a connection to the oceans through the use of seaweed-based glue and 336,000 recycled seashells. Inside, the wooden tables and pillars resonate with the two km Grand Ring of the Expo venue. [photo id='239892'] Curious? Excited? Buy your Expo 2025 tickets without hesitation, and quickly book your hotel. An Outstanding Conveyor-Belt Sushi Chain From a humble takeout sushi store in 1977 to a revolving sushi chain across Japan and beyond, Kura Sushi Corporation prioritises food safety through its longstanding “additive-free” policy. Other hallmarks include pioneering automation, fun ambiances, and varied menus with casual and luxurious touches. Of course, deliciousness, purposeful textures and fine looks remain critical to its astounding success. Kura Sushi’s food safety was founded on the avoidance of artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, chemical seasonings, and synthetic colouring agents. Since 1997, its system discards sushi on the conveyor belt beyond a set duration. And nine years before the COVID-19 pandemic, all Kura Sushi stores were already covering their sushi to protect eaters from airborne viruses, spit and dust. [photo id='239891'] 50 patents for Kura Sushi smart restaurants let customers do everything, from reception to payment, without staff intervention. Its touch-panel ordering spread in 1999, mobile phone queueing/booking in 2000, and remote operational support from HQ in 2011. The slots in which eaters insert finished plates count for a “Bikkurapon!” lottery (hopefully winning a capsule toy every five plates), count for later payment, and lead the plates to the washing area. You can thus enjoy uninterrupted lively discussions with friends and get great service. [photo id='239889'] [photo id='239890'] Kura Sushi Osaka-Kansai Expo restaurant will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but its 543 stores nationwide share a core design and menu, with special elements at global flagship stores. Seafood sushi dishes are complemented by specialty-store quality ramen and tempting desserts. With animated fireworks, the Ginza store features festive Japanese foods such as dango, and premium sets. The Kura Sushi Asakusa ROX store won the international “Best of the Best” Red Dot Design Award for architectural design, and the Harajuku store features crepes and rainbowy decorations. [instagram-embedded url='https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Krc37S87A/'] At Ginza global flagship store As its multilingual tablets, continuous adaptation and success abroad demonstrate, Kura Sushi knows how to satisfy international diners. Launched in 2008 in Los Angeles, Kura Sushi USA now operates 61 stores. Launched in 2014 in Taipei, Kura Sushi Asia (except Japan) now operates 56 stores in Taiwan. When you enter Kura Sushi in a new country, look for dishes you have never tasted! [photo id='239887'] Planning Your Memorable Sushi Expo Adventure The Kura Sushi Osaka-Kansai Expo restaurant will open its doors from 13 April to 13 October 2025. To create symbolic memories or avoid peak crowds, remember: 08 June – World Oceans Day, recognized by the United Nations. 18 June – International Sushi Day. 21 July – Marine Day, Japanese public holiday. Most Kura Sushi restaurants in Japan have wheelchair accessible tables. Please search in English on the official website for more details. Secure your Expo 2025 tickets and accommodation in Osaka as soon as possible. Feel free to contact our travel agents in English, French, German or Italian to craft your customised Expo trip from landing to takeoff, including sushi-centric adventures like charming fishing villages, bustling fish markets, world-class knives, cooking lessons, fake food making workshops, and more! [photo id='239885'] Access Fly directly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) if you can. Expo 2025, Osaka prefecture and nearby Kansai destinations can entertain you for weeks, but if you plan to visit other major cities too, you can ride a shinkansen bullet train to Shin-Osaka station from Tokyo (Haneda Airport), Nagoya (Chubu Centrair Airport) or Hakata (Fukuoka Airport) in 1–2½ hours for 7,000–17,000 yen. Locally, eco-friendly transportation to the venue on Yumeshima “Island of Dreams” will include hydrogen-powered ships, electric buses, and bicycle rentals. See the Expo 2025 official website for up-to-date details. The Kura Sushi Osaka-Kansai Expo restaurant awaits you in the Future Life Zone, near the performance stage.
The Kaiyukan in Osaka is the largest aquarium in Japan and at the same time one of the largest in the world. It is located in the Minato district near the port area of Osaka. Opened in 1990, it is one of the largest indoor aquariums with a total water volume of more than 11,000 tons is home to around 620 animal and plant species. The main theme of the aquarium is the "Ring of Life" or the "Ring of Fire" and is represented by the arrangement of the more than 15 different pools. Each of the pools represents a specific region on the Pacific Ring of Fire and visitors can experience themed worlds on a tour from the Japanese forests to the Antarctic to the heart of the aquarium, the Pacific Ocean. In the latter, for example, there is a whale shark, the largest fish on earth. In addition to these permanent exhibitions, the Kaiyukan also offers some interactive highlights, where you can get close to different animal species and sometimes stroke and even feed them. The aquarium has a souvenir shop and is located directly at Tempozan Harbor Village, a shopping and entertainment complex with many restaurants and shops.
Namba Yasaka Shrine is a unique and standout destination among Osaka’s sacred spots. Located in the Namba District, Namba Yasaka is famous for its impressive lion head-shaped building called Ema-Den, which measures 12-meters high by 11-meters wide! Ema-Den and the surrounding temple structures are all post-war reconstructions of the original buildings that were destroyed in air raids and fires in 1945. Once you enter the relatively small shrine complex, you will come face-to-face with the fierce Ema-Den. The lion’s eyes, slightly tilted down, seem to stare right at you and its wide mouth reveals pointed teeth. Although the Ema-Den’s appearance is intimidating, its open jaw is meant to swallow evil spirits and leave you with good fortune. Ema-Den becomes even more menacing when the sun goes down and its eyes glow against the night. Why not visit this enormous lion head and let it gobble up your worries? Aside from the lion head, Namba Yasaka Shrine is also a pleasant springtime spot thanks to its numerous cherry blossoms. On the third Sunday of January, Namba Yasaka Shrine becomes home to the Tug-of-War ritual, which is an intangible folk cultural property of Osaka City. The Shinto event is a celebration of the Japanese myth of Susanoo-no-Mikoto who killed the serpent god Yamata-no-orochi and freed people from hardship.
Dotonbori, located along the canal of the same name, is a street in the Namba district of Osaka’s Chuo ward that epitomizes the city’s nightlife. The colorful area is an explosion of neon lights, mouth watering street food, retro vibes, clubs, stores, and bars. A popular saying associated with the street is kuidaore, which roughly means to go bankrupt after spending an enormous amount of money on food. To experience the essence kuidaore (responsibly, of course) be sure to check out this renowned partying spot and lose yourself in the contagious energy! Roots in the 1600s The historic street started in the 1620s as a theater district with kabuki and bunraku (puppet) establishments along the canal. Over the years, many theaters closed as people lost interest in the traditional arts, and unfortunately, most of the remaining theaters were destroyed in bombing raids during WWII. Today, Shochiku-za Theater stands as the only reminder of the street’s theater roots. Today Today, Dotonbori is one of Osaka’s top tourist destinations. When the sun goes down, flashy neon advertisements light up along the canal and streets. The rainbow of colors illuminates the night air, creating an exciting atmosphere that matches Dotonbori’s offerings. Walk along the bustling street and lose yourself in the tantalizing food smells, energetic chatter, and hypnotizing sights. Embrace Kuidaore Food Culture With a phrase like kuidaore associated with the street, there is no doubt that Dotonbori takes its food culture seriously. The street is one of the best places to experience Osaka cuisine, and the area’s flamboyant restaurants themselves are a feast for the eyes. You will need multiple nights to enjoy all of the street’s wonders! For a personalized and unforgettable experience, book a food tour with a local who can guide you through the best spots. Discover Dotonbori's top restaurants. See the Sights! After, while, or before you eat, explore the vibrant area. Seemingly every spot of the street is filled with dazzling lights, historic vibes, and unique charm. Listed below are some of Dotonbori’s staple destinations. Though be sure to explore off of the beaten path and discover the street’s many wonders yourself!
