USJ Express Pass Guide 2026: Ride Comparison Tables and Tips for Families
- Written by: Wemmy Chau
Planning a Universal Studios Japan (USJ) visit in 2026? Between SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the wildly popular Mine Cart Madness™, and a bewildering range of Express Pass options, knowing what to buy can make a big difference to your day and your budget.
This guide breaks down admission tickets and the Express Pass 4, 5, 7, 8, and Premium ranges, with ride comparison tables that explain those all-important “choose one” restrictions. Whether you’re chasing roller coasters, coming for Mario, or visiting with children and older family members, you’ll find practical advice to help choose the right tickets. We also explain Child Switch, Reserve & Ride, and accessibility services to make your park day easier.
*Main image credit: LIVE JAPAN Editorial Team / Wemmy
*This article contains sponsored content.
Studio Pass explained: How many days do you need?

First, you’ll need a Studio Pass, USJ’s basic park admission ticket. Prices vary by date and demand, including busy periods such as Halloween, Christmas, and Japan’s Golden Week. Choose from the following options to suit your schedule and pace.
- Best for
- Most visitors, especially those with a busy itinerary who can spare only one day for USJ.
- How to use it
- The standard ticket lets you stay from opening to closing. With clear priorities, a suitable Express Pass, or an early start to queue before opening, one day can be enough to cover your must-do attractions.
- Best for
- Travelers arriving in Osaka in the afternoon, visitors on a tighter budget who want the evening atmosphere and nighttime entertainment, and fans coming mainly to shop for exclusive merchandise.
- How to use it
- Enter from 3 PM and stay until closing for considerably less than a 1-Day Studio Pass. It’s a good option for seeing Hogwarts Castle after dark, catching evening entertainment, or enjoying attractions as some queues ease later in the day.
- Important
- By 3 PM, free Area Timed Entry Tickets for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD may already be gone, and even standby lottery tickets can run out. A Twilight Pass is therefore a risky choice if Nintendo is your main goal. If entry is essential, buy an Express Pass that includes guaranteed area entry and has an entry time after 3 PM.
- Best for
- Visitors arriving in Kansai on an afternoon flight, traveling to Osaka from another city that day, or hoping to avoid squeezing everything into one tiring day.
- How to use it
- Enter from 3 PM on the first day, then return for a full second day. Use the first afternoon to get your bearings, buy accessories such as a Super Star popcorn bucket or Harry Potter robes, enjoy evening entertainment, and try attractions with shorter queues. Save the busiest areas for the next morning.
- Best for
- Dedicated Universal fans and families who want a particularly relaxed pace when visiting with children or older relatives.
- How to use it
- Visit on two consecutive days. Spreading queues, free Area Timed Entry Tickets, popular attractions, and street shows across two days makes it easier to fit in your priorities, even without an Express Pass. It’s a comfortable choice for families who need regular seated breaks.
First visit? Know these ticket rules before you go
Whether you have a 1-day, Twilight, 1.5-day, or 2-day pass, these are all standard studio passes. While Super Nintendo World occasionally allows walk-in entry depending on daily crowd levels, guaranteed access requires either purchasing an Express Pass with guaranteed area entry in advance or arriving early to secure a free Timed Entry eTicket via the official app.
Additionally, standard USJ tickets do not permit re-entry (annual passes excluded)—once you exit through the gates, you cannot return, so be sure to plan your lunch and dinner inside the park!
- Universal Express Pass
- A paid add-on that substantially reduces waiting time at selected popular attractions. Common versions include four attractions (Express Pass 4) or seven (Express Pass 7). Importantly, many passes featuring Nintendo or Harry Potter attractions also include a guaranteed entry time for the relevant themed area.
- eTickets in the official app
- The official USJ app includes free ticketing and reservation functions. After entering the park, you can obtain digital tickets for selected attractions or experiences, such as certain seasonal events or restaurants, and return at the assigned time instead of waiting in place.
- Area Timed Entry Tickets and standby lottery tickets
- These free tickets control access to busy themed areas, primarily SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter may also use them when crowded.
・Area Timed Entry Ticket: Available first come, first served in the app after the park opens. A ticket gives you access during its designated time slot.
・Standby lottery ticket: Once timed-entry tickets run out, access may switch to a lottery. You can enter only if selected.
USJ’s three ticket systems, explained

The different types of USJ tickets can be confusing. A Studio Pass simply gets you through the park gates. To plan the rest of your day, it helps to understand these three ticket systems.
Which Universal Express Pass suits your trip?

Universal Express Pass combinations vary widely and change with seasonal events. Instead of starting with every individual option, first decide what you most want to do, then look for a pass that matches.
- Your priorities
- You want to see Mario and ride Mine Cart Madness or Mario Kart without relying on a same-day lottery.
- Suggested options
- Express Pass 4: Minecart & JAWS, or Express Pass 5: Race & Minecart Special.
- How to use it
- These combinations include guaranteed entry to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and popular attractions inside it. You can choose an available entry time when buying, avoiding the need to arrive early specifically to compete for a free area ticket. It’s the more dependable option.
- Your priorities
- You’re chasing speed and big thrills on The Flying Dinosaur and Hollywood Dream - The Ride, including Backdrop.
- Suggested options
- Express Pass 4: Thrills MAX, or Express Pass 4: Backdrop & Flying Dinosaur.
- How to use it
- These combinations focus on roller coasters and other thrill rides. They generally exclude guaranteed SUPER NINTENDO WORLD entry, so can cost a little less than Nintendo-inclusive options and give you more flexibility without a designated entry time for that area.
- Your priorities
- You have a generous budget and want to fit the headline attractions into a single visit.
- Suggested options
- Look at the Express Pass 7 or Express Pass 8 ranges. If budget is no obstacle, consider Premium or Premium Unlimited.
- How to use it
- The higher-tier options can combine guaranteed entry to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with reduced waits at seven or eight headline attractions, such as Mario Kart, Mine Cart Madness, and The Flying Dinosaur. The trade-offs are the higher price and, for timed passes, the need to follow the schedule printed on your ticket.
- Your priorities
- You want to buy only basic admission, but would still like to visit SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
- Suggested options
- Skip the Express Pass and make full use of the official app.
- How to use it
- Aim to join the entrance queue 1–1.5 hours before the published opening time, as USJ sometimes opens early. Once your admission ticket has been scanned, open the official app, register every member of your group’s tickets, and immediately try for a free SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Area Timed Entry Ticket. An early start gives you a better chance of securing a morning slot.
2026 USJ Express Pass ride comparison tables
Once you’ve identified the type of visit you want, use the tables below to check the attractions included in each pass and the restrictions on rides marked “choose one.”
| Attractions and guaranteed area entry | Express Pass 7 Minecart & Selection | Express Pass 8 Minecart & Flying Dinosaur | Express Pass 8 Minion & Minecart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ entry | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Yoshi’s Adventure™ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mine Cart Madness™ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flight of the Hippogriff™ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| The Flying Dinosaur | ★1 Choose one | ★3 Choose one | ★5 Choose one |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride | ✕ | ★3 Choose one | ✕ |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | ★1 Choose one | ★3 Choose one | ★5 Choose one |
| JAWS | ★2 Choose one | ★4 Choose one | ★6 Choose one |
| Jurassic Park - The Ride | ★2 Choose one | ★4 Choose one | ★6 Choose one |
| Attractions and guaranteed area entry | Express Pass 4 Minecart & JAWS | Express Pass 4+1 One More Race & Flying Dinosaur | Express Pass 4 Theater & Flying Dinosaur | Express Pass 4 Backdrop & Flying Dinosaur | Express Pass 4 Thrills MAX | Express Pass 5 Adventure Special | Express Pass 5 Race & Minecart Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ entry | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™ | ✔ | ✔ (twice) | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mine Cart Madness™ | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ |
| Yoshi’s Adventure™ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✕ |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ | ★1 Choose one | ✔ | ★3 Choose one | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ |
| Flight of the Hippogriff™ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| The Flying Dinosaur | ★1 Choose one | ✔ | ★3 Choose one | ✔ | ✔ & ★4 Choose one | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride | ✕ | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ & ★4 Choose one | ✔ | ✕ |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride: Backdrop | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| JAWS | ★2 Choose one | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Jurassic Park - The Ride | ★2 Choose one | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ★4 Choose one | ✕ | ✕ |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✕ |
| Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ |
| Detective Conan 4-D Live Show | ✕ | ✕ | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Premium access without designated entry times.
| Included attractions and guaranteed area entry | Express Pass - Premium (Each once) | Express Pass - Premium Unlimited (Unlimited rides) |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ entry | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge™ | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Yoshi’s Adventure™ | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Mine Cart Madness™ | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Flight of the Hippogriff™ | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| The Flying Dinosaur | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride: Backdrop | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| JAWS | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Jurassic Park - The Ride | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Sadako’s Curse: Dark Horror Ride | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Detective Conan 4-D Live Show | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
| SING ON TOUR | ✔ Once | ♾️ Unlimited |
Four ways to spend less time in line

An Express Pass isn’t the only way to save time. USJ’s special queues and free reservation systems can also help you spend less of your day waiting.
- Single Rider
- If your group doesn’t mind riding separately, consider the Single Rider queue. Staff use it to fill empty seats in other parties: for example, one person can join a row of four occupied by a group of three. Single Rider queues can still be long, but may move considerably faster than the standby line. Check the app’s live wait times before deciding. It’s especially useful if you want another go on the big roller coasters.
- Child Switch
- If a child is too short for an attraction or doesn’t want to ride, adults can take turns without joining the full queue twice. Go to the entrance together and ask a crew member about Child Switch. One adult rides while the other stays with the child in a designated waiting area. They then swap, allowing the second adult to use a separate route without starting the queue again.
- Reserve & Ride
- This free virtual queuing service applies to selected family attractions. Rather than controlling entry to a whole themed area, it lets you reserve a ride time, a little like a free, limited Express Pass. Request an available slot in the official app after entering the park. Attractions listed here include The Flying Snoopy and Snoopy’s Flying Ace Adventure in Universal Wonderland, plus Freeze Ray Sliders in Minion Park. Once you have a slot, take the children for a meal or photos, then return to the designated entrance at your reserved time.
- Check the app and target quieter times
- Wait times can change dramatically throughout the day, so keep checking the official app. Queues for major attractions may ease during the lunch rush, around noon–1:30 PM, and in the final 1–1.5 hours before closing. These can be useful opportunities to fit in rides you’ve missed.
Visiting with children or older relatives: Useful services at USJ
Once you’ve sorted out admission and Express Passes, get familiar with the park’s practical services. Whether you’re arriving with a suitcase or visiting with young children and older relatives, these four services can make your day much easier.
1. Large lockers: Where to leave your suitcase

Coin-operated lockers are available both inside and outside USJ. If you have a large suitcase, perhaps because you’ve just arrived in Japan or are heading to the airport later, use the extra-large lockers outside the main gates.
- Extra-large lockers outside the park
- Located outside the main entrance, these can accommodate large suitcases around 71 cm (28 inches) and above, at approximately 1,500 yen. Store your luggage before entering to avoid complications at security.
- Lockers inside the park
- Only small and medium lockers are available inside, suitable for backpacks, coats, and shopping bags. Some attractions, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and The Flying Dinosaur, also have free, time-limited lockers for belongings while you ride.
2. Wheelchair and stroller rentals

USJ offers rentals if an older family member has limited mobility, or if you’d rather avoid bringing a bulky stroller on the train.
- Where to rent
- Visit the rental counter on the right after entering the main gates.
- Things to know
- Wheelchairs and strollers are limited and rented first come, first served; advance reservations are not available. Strollers are generally for children age 3 and under. Arrive near opening if your family needs one.
3. Accessibility and guest assistance

USJ offers accessibility services to help guests with additional needs enjoy the park. Visit Guest Services after entering to ask which support options suit your group.
- Guest Support Pass
- Guests whose disability prevents them from waiting in line for long periods can apply at Guest Services or an attraction entrance, with the required disability documentation. Once approved, they can wait somewhere more comfortable outside the queue and return at the assigned time.
- Assistance tools and equipment
- Free support options include Support Stickers to help crew members recognize guests who may need assistance, captioning glasses for guests with hearing impairments at selected 4D theaters, and shoe-mounted vibration navigation devices for guests with visual impairments, introduced in May 2026.
4. Tax-free shopping: Leave time for the paperwork

After shopping for USJ souvenirs, remember to allow time for the tax-free procedure.
- Where to apply
- Studio Gifts, near the main park entrance.
- Purchase requirements
- Purchases at participating tax-free shops inside the park must total at least 5,000 yen before tax on the same day, in either consumables such as snacks and cosmetics or general goods such as clothing and merchandise.
- Things to know
- Bring the original receipts, the purchased goods, and the shopper’s original passport. The final hour before park closing is usually the busiest period at the tax-free counter, so go earlier to avoid delaying your journey back.

A little preparation goes a long way at Universal Studios Japan. Choose an Express Pass around the attractions you actually want to experience, then make use of the official app and the park’s guest services to reduce unnecessary waiting and fatigue. That applies whether you’re here for high-speed thrills or a family day out with children and older relatives.
Admission tickets for popular dates and sought-after Express Pass combinations can sell out in advance, so book online once your plans are firm. Then get ready to make your own memories in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and the park’s other themed areas!
LIVE JAPAN
Originally from Hong Kong, she graduated from university with a degree in English and Japanese before moving to Chiba, Japan, in 2015. With her 10 years of experience living in Japan, she excels at discovering unique, off-the-beaten-path information that you won't find in typical travel guides. Specializing in art, seasonal scenery, and theme parks, she provides the latest and most useful travel information. She has experience writing for major travel media outlets and regional tourism websites and has also obtained JLPT Level 1 certification. She hopes to offer reliable travel information from a unique Hong Kong perspective.
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