Universal Studios Japan is one of the must-visit places when you visit Osaka. Located within the main city, you can get there via bus or train and be prepared to spend a whole day there.

For those travelling with kids, this is on top of your itinerary alongside the Osaka Aquarium, just a short walk and boat ride away. As I have always been a theme park lover, visiting this spectacular place in Osaka was only fitting.

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan during the Christmas period

My journey to Universal Studios Japan was complimentary as the company had arranged a special visit regarding AirAsia X’s first flight to Osaka in early December 2011.We made our way there via the Osaka subway, which took roughly 20 minutes from central Osaka Station without any problems. It was a bonus when English was widely found on ticketing machines, trains, and platforms, so getting lost was hard to achieve.

Here is a good tip for those on a budget: When you arrive at Universal City Station and exit, you will see a convenience store (Lawson), so buying your food, snacks and drinks here before heading in is best.We walked in for about five minutes before reaching the main entrance to the theme park. Here, you will find several shops and cafes along the way, and without hesitation, your eyes will be glued to the main entrance to the park, which is also one of the most popular places to take photos.

After getting our entrance tickets to Universal Studios Japan, a whole new world opened before my eyes as I walked in. Something was different – the mood, feel, and atmosphere suddenly changed to this wonderland feeling.

If you visit in the summer, this is one of the must-visit booths.

A sea of people was seen at the main walkway into the park while costumed characters in striking colours entertained guests at random places. Hearing the famous piped music along the streets brought memories of my Universal Studios USA trip back, as my last visit to the States was in 2000. It has been 11 years since I last visited a park like this.

As the group entered the park, street ushers began to clear the main streets as a special Christmas Parade was about to take place. Those who knew lined the street curbs while our Malaysian group needed to understand what was happening.Eventually, we followed suit and stood by the curb awaiting the parade. The Japanese people do a fantastic job of performing these kinds of shows. Armed with pride and smiles, the dancers were seen as happy and energetic throughout the ten-minute show, followed by a ‘Snowman’ performance.

If you have never been to Universal Studios, you should know that the format of this theme park is very American-styled. You will see replicas of American Diners, Streets and even townships throughout the park.

One of the restaurants in USJ.

Apart from these, you will find thrilling rides on roller coasters, 3D and 4D cinemas, Movie experiences and even spectacular shows from famous movies. Below is a series of random pictures I took during my visit here, so have a great time looking at them. Click on the pictures to see them in a larger size.

If you have any questions regarding USJ, please feel free to comment below. Additional information about this place is at the end of the article.

One of the rides I enjoyed and recommend for families and kids is the Jurassic Park Ride. Even though it has been over 10 years since the movie, the ride is still one of the most memorable ones to experience. As suspected, when our group arrived, the line was incredibly long, with a minimum wait of 30 minutes. But in the end, it was all worth it.

Some of the theatres show at USJ.

While I have experienced Terminator – The Ride in the USA, I just had to try my luck in Japan again. Lining up was quick, about 10 minutes in the Cyberdyne Systems waiting room.The good news is that it is entertaining for all ages, but here is the catch. The entire dialogue before the show/ride starts is in Japanese. You will likely be lost in translation if you do not speak the language.

Sesame Street Cup Noodles.

JR Line to Universal Studios Osaka, Japan.

Apart from exploring the many places around here, this is the best theme park experience I have had in a long time. The place is also worth a visit for all walks of life.

Conclusion

While visiting Osaka, there are several things to do, like shopping at Shinsaibashi and Dontonburi, visiting the many historical places, or even visiting the Osaka Aquarium, one of the top five in the world. And if you are travelling solo, I recommend visiting Universal Studios Japan in Osaka as a couple of families.