Before going:
- Do NOT buy express passes. Most rides offer “singles” line which usually has a 5 minute wait time instead of 45mins-2.5 hour wait. People don’t usually know about this line because there ARE NO SIGNS FOR THEM, just enter “express” lane and when they ask for your express ticket, instead say “singuru” (Japanese accent on the word ‘single’/single rider).
- Check opening times (vary each season)
- Bring a re-fillable water bottle, it is a huge day and you will get dehydrated! There are water bottles around.
- Check how long it takes to get to the park by train from wherever you will be that morning.
- Bring a SMALL bag with cash, drink bottle and phone/camera. You will get sick of a big bag but don’t fret, there are lockers as soon as you exit from the train station. When exiting look right for the machine that helps you get a locker (lockers are to your left).
- Prepare for a normal sized lunch to be 1500JPY per person. We ate at the drive in diner and got a burger, chips and drink for that price.
When you’re there:
- Cheap snacksfrom Lawson convenience store before entering (last cheap food for the day, may have long lines though).
- Enter with your tickets (Staff scout peopleentering for very creative outfits to be part of a parade later in the day).
- Go straight to the area opposite Harry Potter World RESERVEa time for entering. They will stamp your ticket with a one hour time frame in which you must enter, if you are 10 mins before/after they shouldn’t mind. Make sure you don’t miss out – it’s a highlight of the day!
- Depending on which Harry Potter World reservation you get, do the rides listed below in any order. I suggest choosing Harry Potter world entrance around sunset so you can get pictures of the castle in light and dark, then spend the rest of your evening checking out the shops and shows etc. The photos from their main ride cost around 2000 yen but come in a cool dragon frame, a great souvenir.
Best rides (as 20-somethings) are:
- Harry Potter & Harry Potter World
- Amazing Spiderman
- Hollywood Dream (forwards direction, a backwards one exists too but I’m not fond of backwards)
- Jurassic Park Ride (+ see dinosaurs roaming periodically)
- Waterworld show (happens about every 45 mins)
- Jaws & Amnity village surrounding it
- Hollywood Parade (about 3 per day, we saw it around 13:00 while we ate lunch)
Disappointing rides:
- Back to the future & backdraft
- Terminator 2
- Space Fantasy
Enjoy USJ! Please leave your feedback below!
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