Step through the gates and you are swept up in upbeat music and the cheers of the crowd. This is Universal Studios Japan, a large theme park on the bay in Konohana Ward, Osaka. It opened in March 2001, and inside, themed areas recreate the worlds of movies and games. In its first year it reached 10 million annual visitors faster than any park in the world at the time, and it remains one of the leading destinations in the Kansai region.
The park is divided into a number of themed areas. In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you walk the cobblestones of Hogsmeade village toward Hogwarts Castle rising through the mist. There is Super Nintendo World, where you dive into Nintendo's games, and Minion Park, overflowing with mischievous Minions. Every area makes you feel as if you have stepped right into the world of the work.
A flying coaster throws you face-down into the air and skims over the forest of Jurassic Park. This is The Flying Dinosaur. From thrill rides to family-friendly attractions, the lineup is wide-ranging. Many rides are based on films, and indoor and outdoor shows run several times a day. Halloween in autumn, Christmas in winter, seasonal events color the park as well.
The park has kept changing since it opened. The Harry Potter area was added in 2014 and Super Nintendo World in 2021, each drawing major attention. Visit after a few years away and you may find new areas you have never seen. The chance to encounter something new is one of the reasons people want to come back.
Popular attractions tend to have long waits, and some visitors buy paid express passes to skip the lines. The nearest station is Universal City on the JR Yumesaki Line, and the moment you leave the ticket gates the park entrance is right in front of you. It is about 20 minutes from Osaka Station, and you can also get there from Kansai Airport by transferring trains. Official hotels cluster nearby, so you can also spend two days touring at a relaxed pace.
〒554-0031 2-chōme-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka
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Open grounds with no fixed opening hours.
Hours verified June 2026
Hours may have changed. Please confirm before visiting.
The anime, manga, and games that feature Universal Studios Japan in real life.
A travel guide to the real-world locations of Yamato, the western-Japan nation in the manga and anime Nippon Sangoku. It tours the actual spots in Ehime, Osaka, Fukui, and Aichi that became settings in the story, with the scenes they inspired, what to see on site, and how to reach them from abroad.
The official site, with ticket prices, the price calendar, and opening hours.
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