Universal Studios Japan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the Japanese theme park. For the Universal Pictures's Japanese branch, see NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan.

Quick facts for kids
Universal Studios Japan
Attractions

Universal Studios Japan entrance in 2006
Location	Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
Coordinates	34°39′53″N 135°25′59″E / 34.66472°N 135.43306°E / 34.66472; 135.43306
Status	Operating
Opened	31 March 2001; 24 years ago (2001-03-31)
Owner	USJ LLC (Universal Destinations & Experiences) (wholly owned by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast)
Operated by	USJ LLC Universal Destinations & Experiences
Theme	Show business and Universal entertainment
Attendance	14.9 million (2017)
Area	54 ha (108 acres)
Roller coasters	5

Universal Studios Japan (ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン) is a super fun theme park located in Osaka, Japan. It opened its doors on March 31, 2001. This park is one of six Universal Studios theme parks around the world, and it was the very first one to open outside the United States.

The park is owned and run by USJ LLC, which is part of NBCUniversal. Universal Studios Japan looks a lot like Universal Studios Florida. It has many popular rides and shows from both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, plus some special attractions you can only find there!

In its first year, over 11 million people visited the park. This made it the fastest theme park ever to reach 10 million visitors at that time. In 2022, Universal Studios Japan welcomed 12.3 million guests. This made it the third most visited theme park globally, right after Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. It was also the most visited theme park in Asia!

Park History

Universal Studios Japan started planning way back in December 1992. A company called Osaka Universal Planning Inc. was set up to research and plan a huge theme park in Japan. In February 1996, they made a big agreement with an American company, MCA Inc., to plan, build, and run the park. Osaka Universal Planning Inc. then changed its name to USJ Co., Ltd.

More agreements were made in 1998 with the Universal Group, and construction of the park officially began that same year. Finally, the park opened its gates on March 31, 2001, ready for visitors!

Lands and Exciting Attractions

The park is huge, covering about 54 hectares (that's like 108 football fields!). It has ten different themed areas, each with its own unique rides and shows.

The ninth area, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opened on July 15, 2014. Its most famous ride is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This magical area and its attractions are similar to the ones at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

The tenth area, Super Nintendo World, opened on March 18, 2021, after a few delays. It's a super cool place for fans of Nintendo games!

Hollywood

This area is designed to look like the famous neighborhood of Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Cinema 4-D Theater: Opened in 2003, this theater shows 4D movies like Shrek's 4-D Adventure or Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic.
Sing on Tour: This musical show, which started in 2019, is based on the movie Sing from Illumination. The building looks like the "Illumination Theater."
Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show: Since 2001, this live musical show features the classic Universal Monsters.
Playing with Curious George: A fun show attraction based on the beloved character Curious George, opened in 2018.
Hollywood Dream – The Ride: This steel roller coaster, opened in 2007, lets you choose your own music to listen to while you ride!
Space Fantasy – The Ride: Opened in 2010, this indoor spinning roller coaster takes you on a space adventure with lots of cool special effects.
Mario Cafe & Store: This store, opened in 2020, offers special Mario themed food and unique merchandise.

Cinema 4-D Theater

The former E.T. Adventure

New York City

This area is designed to feel like New York City, New York.

Detective Conan 4-D Live Show ~Jewel Under The Starry Sky~: This show, new in 2024, combines 3D effects with live action and is based on the popular Case Closed series.

San Francisco

This area is inspired by the city of San Francisco, California.

Minion Park

This fun area is all about the Despicable Me movies from Illumination! It opened in March 2017.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: Opened in 2017, this computer-animated simulator ride lets you join the crazy characters from the Despicable Me movies.
Freeze Ray Sliders: This spinning ride, opened in 2018, features the Minions trying to cool off the Minion Park Fountain with Gru's freeze ray.

Jurassic Park

This area is inspired by Steven Spielberg's amazing Jurassic Park movie series.

Jurassic Park: The Ride: Since 2001, this exciting water ride takes you through scenes from the 1993 Jurassic Park film.
The Flying Dinosaur: Opened in 2016, this flying roller coaster is known for being one of the most expensive roller coasters ever built by B&M!

Amity Village

This area is inspired by Steven Spielberg's Jaws movies.

Jaws: Since 2001, this boat ride takes you on a tour with special effects and animatronics of the famous shark. Watch out!

Universal Wonderland

Universal Wonderland is a special section designed for younger children and families. It opened in March 2012 and has three fun sub-zones: Snoopy Studios, Hello Kitty's Fashion Avenue, and Sesame Street Fun Zone.

Snoopy Studios

This area is based on the classic Peanuts comic strip.

The Flying Snoopy: Opened in 2012, this aerial carousel ride lets you fly in Snoopy-themed cars.
Snoopy's Sound Stage Adventure: Since 2001, this indoor playground is themed like a film set.

Hello Kitty's Fashion Avenue

This area is all about Sanrio's famous character, Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty's Cupcake Dream: Opened in 2012, this Balloon Race ride has cars shaped like different cupcakes.
Hello Kitty's Ribbon Collection: Since 2012, this is a fun indoor place to meet and greet Hello Kitty herself!

Sesame Street Fun Zone

This zone is based on the popular children's TV show Sesame Street. It has three parts: "Sesame Street Plaza," "Sesame Central Park," and "Elmo's Imagination Playland."

Abby's Magical Party: An indoor play area filled with large colorful spheres and stars, opened in 2012.
Abby's Magical Tree: An indoor rope-climbing attraction shaped like a tree, opened in 2012.
Bert and Ernie's Wonder: The Sea: An indoor ball pit themed like Bert and Ernie's bathroom, opened in 2012.
Big Bird's Big Top Circus: A carousel ride with Sesame Street characters and animals, opened in 2012.
Big Bird's Big Nest: A large climbing rope attraction, opened in 2012.
Cookie Monster Slide: A slide where you slide down Cookie Monster's tongue, opened in 2012.
Elmo's Bubble Bubble: A small log flume-like ride for children, opened in 2012.
Elmo's Go Go Skateboard: A Rockin' Tug ride that looks like Elmo's skateboard, opened in 2015.
Elmo's Little Drive: A driving school attraction with Elmo-themed cars for young children, opened in 2012.
Ernie's Rubber Duckie Race: Guests race rubber duckies down a small river, opened in 2012.
Grover's Construction Company: An indoor play area themed like water pipes, opened in 2012.
Moppy's Balloon Trip: A high tower ride that gives you a great view of the area, opened in 2015.
Moppy's Lucky Dance Party: A live interactive show featuring Universal Studios Japan's special "Moppy" Sesame Street character, opened in 2012.
Sesame's Big Drive: A driving school attraction with Sesame Street-themed cars, opened in 2012.
Water Garden: A fun water fountain play area, opened in 2012.

WaterWorld

This area is based on Universal Pictures' 1995 movie Waterworld.

Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular: This live water stunt show, updated in 2018, features amazing special effects and stunts.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This magical area is based on the Warner Bros Discovery's Wizarding World movies and books.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: Opened in 2014, this motion-based dark ride takes you through exciting scenes from the Harry Potter books and films.
Flight of the Hippogriff: Also opened in 2014, this junior roller coaster is based on the creature from the books.

Super Nintendo World

This amazing new area is based on many Nintendo games, especially Super Mario and Yoshi. A new area based on the Donkey Kong Country games is also being built!

Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge: Opened in 2021, this augmented reality dark ride is based on the Mario Kart games.
Yoshi's Adventure: Also opened in 2021, this ride lets guests board a Yoshi and ride around Super Nintendo World.
Power-Up Band Key Challenges: These interactive mini-games, opened in 2021, let you interact with Mario enemies and Bowser Jr.. You'll need a special Power-Up Band to play!
Kinopio's Cafe: A restaurant themed like the inside of a Toad House, opened in 2021.
Yoshi's Snack Island: A quick-service spot for Yoshi-themed drinks and snacks, opened in 2021.
Pit Stop Popcorn: A quick-service spot for flavored popcorn and themed popcorn containers, opened in 2021.
1-Up Factory: A merchandise store designed like the inside of a factory, opened in 2021.
Mine-Cart Madness: A roller coaster themed to the Donkey Kong games, expected to open in 2024.

Seasonal Fun

Universal Studios Japan loves to celebrate different seasons with special attractions and shows! Some of these include Halloween Horror Nights, Christmas, Easter, Summer, and "Cool Japan."

The "Cool Japan" events feature popular Japanese anime and video game series. These have included Sailor Moon, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Attack on Titan, One Piece, Detective Conan, Lupin III, Monster Hunter, and Final Fantasy.

Former Attractions

Over the years, some attractions have closed to make way for new and exciting experiences.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - The Ride: This popular 3D dark ride, based on Marvel's Spider-Man, closed on January 22, 2024, after many years of thrilling guests.
Back to the Future – The Ride: This simulator ride, based on the famous movies, closed in 2016 to make room for Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
E.T. Adventure: This indoor dark ride, based on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, closed in 2009 and was replaced by Space Fantasy – The Ride.

Exciting Parades

Universal's "Festa de Parade" 2018 Halloween parade

The park has hosted many fun seasonal parades over the years, like Festa de Parade and Minion Hacha-Mecha Christmas Party Parade.

Currently, Universal Studios Japan has a nighttime parade called Universal Spectacle Night Parade. It started on May 17, 2018, and features amazing floats, performers, and characters from Harry Potter, Transformers, Jurassic World, and Minions.

The park also has a daily daytime parade called No limit! Parade. This parade officially started on March 1, 2023. It includes floats, characters, and performers from Mario Kart, Pokémon, Minions, Sing, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, and Peanuts. It was the first time Mario and Pikachu appeared in a Universal Studios parade!

Fun Characters

Just like other Universal parks, Universal Studios Japan features characters from Universal movies and also from other companies. The park has special permission to use characters from Sesame Street, Peanuts, and Sanrio (like Hello Kitty), along with many others!