OSAKA TICKETS · UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
Universal Studios Japan Express Pass: which one to buy, and when it's worth it
An Express Pass is a second ticket on top of park admission. Most passes cover 4, 5, 7 or 8 named rides once each, many at a time printed on the ticket, and the ones that include Mario Kart also give you guaranteed timed entry to Super Nintendo World. On October 23, 2026 the official web store listed 26 passes, starting at ¥10,800 per person and going up to ¥99,000 for Premium Unlimited. Prices change by date. Once bought, passes can't be cancelled.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: The official USJ ticket store links on this page are not affiliate links; USJ pays me nothing. I may earn a commission if you buy a Japan eSIM through the Airalo link or book through the GetYourGuide link further down, at no extra cost to you. PracticalPivot is not affiliated with Universal Studios Japan, Universal or Nintendo. Prepared with AI assistance; USJ's Express Pass, timed-entry and Yoyakunori pages and the official web ticket store were read on October 23, 2026.
The 30-second answer
Do you need one? If you have one day, are visiting on a weekend, a Japanese holiday or in Halloween/Christmas season, and Super Nintendo World is a must: yes, a pass with Mario Kart is the surest way in. If you have two days or a quiet weekday and don't mind lines, you can skip it and use the free app tools (below).
Which one: the cheapest pass that has your must-ride list on it. For most first-timers that's a 4-ride pass with Mario Kart + Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (from ¥10,800 on Oct 23). Step up to a 7 or 8 only if you also want Mine Cart Madness, Yoshi and Flying Dinosaur with short waits.
Where: the Official Web Ticket Store linked from usj.co.jp, or a travel agency. Resold tickets are refused at the gate.
The rules that catch people out: valid only on the printed date; times printed on the ticket can't be changed; no refund if you're late; one ticket per person (children 3 and under excepted); separate park admission (Studio Pass) required.
The passes on sale for October 23, 2026, sorted by what they include
Read from the official web ticket store on October 23, 2026. "From" is the lowest price across dates; your date can cost more. "SNW" = the store says the pass includes guaranteed timed entry to Super Nintendo World.
| Pass (store name) | Rides, once each | SNW entry | From (all ages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Pass 4: Race & JAWS | Mario Kart, Harry Potter Forbidden Journey, Minion Mayhem, JAWS or Jurassic Park | Yes | ¥10,800 |
| Express Pass 4: Mine Cart & JAWS | Mario Kart, Mine Cart Madness, Harry Potter or Flying Dinosaur, Jurassic Park or JAWS | Yes | ¥10,800 |
| Express Pass 4: Backdrop & The Flying Dinosaur | Harry Potter, Hippogriff, Hollywood Dream Backdrop, Flying Dinosaur | No | ¥10,800 |
| Express Pass 5: Adventure Special | Mario Kart, Yoshi's Adventure, Flying Dinosaur, Minion Mayhem, Hollywood Dream | Yes | ¥12,200 |
| Express Pass 5: Race & Minion Special | Mario Kart, Harry Potter, Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Mayhem, JAWS or Jurassic Park | Yes | ¥14,700 |
| Express Pass 4: Race & Theater | Mario Kart, Yoshi, Harry Potter, Minion Mayhem or Detective Conan 4-D | Yes | ¥14,800 |
| Express Pass 5: Race & Minecart Special | Mario Kart, Mine Cart Madness, Harry Potter, Minion Blast, Flying Dinosaur | Yes | ¥18,900 |
| Express Pass 7: Minecart & Selection | Mario Kart, Yoshi, Mine Cart Madness, Harry Potter, Hippogriff, Flying Dinosaur or Minion Mayhem, JAWS or Jurassic Park | Yes | ¥21,800 |
| Express Pass 4+1: One More Race & The Flying Dinosaur | Mario Kart twice, Harry Potter, Hollywood Dream, Flying Dinosaur | Yes | ¥22,900 |
| Express Pass 8: Minion & MineCart Special | Mario Kart, Yoshi, Mine Cart Madness, Harry Potter, Hippogriff, Minion Blast, Flying Dinosaur or Minion Mayhem, JAWS or Jurassic Park | Yes | ¥23,900 |
| Express Pass Premium (P29 / P30) | "Experience all attractions" | Yes | ¥41,000 / ¥44,000 |
| Express Pass Premium Unlimited | "Experience all attractions" | Yes | ¥99,000 |
| Halloween and Resident Evil packages (several) | Horror attractions such as Resident Evil Requiem: The Dive, Sadako's Curse, Chainsaw Man 4-D | No | ¥11,800-¥13,800 |
The store listed 26 passes in all; this table keeps the ones most first-time visitors choose between. Ride names shortened. The horror packages are age-restricted: the store says those attractions are not available to children 14 and under. Several passes have rides with a 122 cm or 132 cm height minimum; check every rider's height on USJ's attraction requirements page before you pay.
Is an Express Pass worth it? A quick decision table
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| One day, weekend or holiday, Nintendo World is the reason you're going | Buy a 4- or 5-ride pass with Mario Kart. It also gives you guaranteed Nintendo World entry at a set time. |
| One day, weekday outside school holidays | A cheaper 4-ride pass, or none if you arrive at opening and use the app (below). |
| Two days at the park | Usually skip it. Use the free app tools and ride the big lines early or late. |
| Kids under 122 cm | Check heights first: on several passes one or more rides need 122 or 132 cm, and you can't swap a ride a child can't take. |
| Horror fan in Halloween season | A Halloween package (age 15+ only) can cost less than the Nintendo passes, but it does not include Nintendo World entry. |
What to do: a buying checklist
- Write your must-ride list first, then find the cheapest pass that has every one of them. Ride count matters less than which rides.
- Check heights for every child on USJ's ride and height requirements page.
- Buy park admission too. The Express Pass doesn't get you in; a 1-Day Studio Pass started at ¥8,400 for adults on October 23, 2026, and the price changes by date.
- Buy everyone's pass in one order. The store says separate purchases can give you different ride times.
- Use the official store. Start from the "Official Web Ticket Store" link on USJ's Express Pass page, which goes to usjticketing.com (the store says it's run by JTRWeb Ltd, an authorised USJ reseller). USJ says resold tickets bought on auction or ticket-agency sites are voided.
- Save the whole ticket screen, not just the QR code: USJ says crew check the printed attraction times, and an altered or cropped ticket can be refused.
- Plan the day around the printed times. Miss a time and USJ says there's no refund or change. Rides without a printed time can be used any time they're running.
- Have mobile data. Nintendo World timed-entry tickets and Yoyakunori come through the official app, and USJ says the app needs an internet connection.
Free alternatives (no Express Pass)
- Nintendo World Area Timed Entry Ticket in the app. After you enter the park, the official app hands out timed entry to the area, and Standby Entry Tickets once those run out. USJ says distribution can end early on busy days, and that some days no ticket is needed at all.
- Yoyakunori (Reserve & Ride). In the app, inside the park, you can reserve a ride time on participating attractions and do other things until then. You can hold one reservation at a time, and every person's Studio Pass must be registered in the app.
- Single-day timing. Arrive before opening and ride the biggest lines first. Check the park's posted hours for your date (on October 23, 2026 they were 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
Book the rest of your Japan trip
The app-based tools above need reliable data inside the park. A prepaid eSIM is usually cheaper than a US carrier day pass; the Japan eSIM guide compares plan lengths, and the free option is park Wi-Fi where you can find it.
Compare USJ tickets and Osaka tours on GetYourGuide
Affiliate link to GetYourGuide search results. Third-party listings can bundle different things; check that a listing is an official e-ticket, which pass it is, and its cancellation terms before you book.
FAQ
Does the USJ Express Pass include park entry?
No. USJ says a separate Studio Pass or Annual Pass is required to enter the park.
Which Express Pass gets you into Super Nintendo World?
On October 23, 2026, the official store marked every pass with Mario Kart, Yoshi's Adventure or Mine Cart Madness as including guaranteed timed entry to Super Nintendo World. Passes like "Backdrop & The Flying Dinosaur" and the Halloween packages did not include it.
Can I cancel or change a USJ Express Pass?
USJ says that once purchased, Express Passes can't be cancelled, and if you miss a printed time you can't change it or get a refund.
How much is a USJ Express Pass?
On October 23, 2026 the official store listed passes from ¥10,800 (4 rides) to ¥99,000 (Premium Unlimited) per person. Prices vary by date.
Can I share an Express Pass with someone?
No. USJ says each pass is valid only for the purchaser and each guest needs their own, except children 3 and under.