Is Express Pass Worth It at Universal Studios Japan? (We Timed Every Ride)
Book your tickets and Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan EASY with Klook 👉🏼 https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=334&aff_adid=626910&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com
Is the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass worth it? I tested the ¥34,800 ($225) Express Pass 7 at USJ in Osaka, Japan, timing every major attraction with and without the line-skipping pass over two full days.
My Universal Studios Japan travel guide compares standby lines, single-rider lines, and Express Pass options to help you decide which approach saves the most time and money for YOUR trip in 2025!
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📘 Universal Studios Japan Guidebook: https://tdrexplorer.com/books
🎟 Universal Studios Japan Tickets & Express Pass: https://tdrexplorer.com/universal-studios-japan-tickets/
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🛌 USJ Hotels: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=334&aff_adid=644375&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-CA%2Fhotels%2Fsearchresult%2F%3Fts%3D1672539726488%26room_num%3D1%26adult_num%3D2%26child_num%3D0%26age%3D%26stype%3Dgoogle_poi%26sval
❓FAQ:
• Is Express Pass worth it at USJ? – Watch to 40:11 for my verdict
• How much time does Express Pass save? See my results at 39:58
• Can you do USJ without Express Pass? – Yes! See my Day 1 strategy at 42:52
• Which Express Pass should I buy? – Recommendations at 41:27
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
01:38 Day 1: No Express Pass (Standby Line & Single Rider Lines)
19:41 Day 2: Express Pass 7
39:13 How much time did the Express Pass save?
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ABOUT TDR EXPLORER
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Hi, 👋🏽 My name is Chris, aka TDRExplorer, and I started sharing my theme park adventures. Over the years, TDRExplorer has become a resource for passionate theme park fans looking to make the best of their trips to Asia. Including Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan!
33 Comments
Book your tickets and Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan EASY with Klook 👉🏼 https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=334&aff_adid=626910&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com
Hi. I was checking on the klook website but did not found, and I did not saw any way to contact them…
In USJ , I could get discount as I got disability certification. Does it also ally for express pass, either on USJ directly or Klook?
Thx!
This is not really an apples-to apples comparison. There is a different amount of people each day and the wait times change throughout the day. A better comparison would be to have 2 people waiting for the same ride at the same time. One person in the standby line and one person using the express pass. Then you can directly compare.
gonna do christmas in tdr next? 😮
May I please ask, if you book for an express pass for the Mario Kart ride, can you use it once or multiple times during the said timing? Thanks for your help!
I went on the last day in November of 2024 and bought an express pass and planned my day around it. Was able to get on Flying Dinosaur twice as I went there as soon park opened and it was 5 minutes wait time and then with my express pass. The only problem I had I went into Hollywood dream ride, did the whole queue for express pass only to be taken down the ride because the bar didn’t closed. Felt a little sad but staff was so kind and didn’t made me feel embarrassed. Gave me a free express pass which I used to ride jaws once again since we dint have it in any other US parks. Overall I say express pass it’s worth it specially if coming during the holidays as wait time were crazy and park was full capacity. Your videos and guide book made it easy to navigate and plan my trip to Japan .
Also congrats on 12 years of living in Japan.
на один день без него смысла нет ехать. но Дисни все равно лучше. во всем буквально
So do you think as a 6'4 guy I'd have problems with being too tall for certain rides?
I too would rather listen to Hami Kuma than hear Cranky Kong repeat himself over and over. 😂Very cool experiment overall.
Thanks for the information, Chris! I think I’m sold on the express pass so I don’t have feel like I must rope drop…Too early and too many people😅Do you know if Mine Cart did close due to weather, would you instantly get an express pass as compensation, or would you get the option to come back later and still join the express line if the ride re-opens?
hi Chris conrants on the 12 years of your career of been a youtuber I think express pass is the better option 🐞
I can tell you from experience Universal Hollywood gives you nothing but a swift kick on your way if you don’t fit on a ride.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge for theme parks!! I remember meeting you on my first ever Disneyland trip and it was the best day of my life and your videos really helped!! Heading to Jong Kong Disneyland next in Jan and looking forward to the magic again!! ❤
what camera do you use?
Nooo I missed you at the park, I was there on the 5th too! Dang it
Congratulations on celebrating 12 years in Japan. A family trip to Japan is on my bucket list and I really enjoy watching your videos! Thank you😆
Loving the channel.
I went to USJ in may and recorded all my times for solo too.
• Hollywood Dream (10min)
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (10min)
• Yoshi's Adventure (50min)
• Mine Cart Madness (90min)
• WaterWorld (timed)
• Jurassic Park the ride (40min)
• Detective Conan 4D (timed)
• Space Fantasy (15min)
• Doraemon 4D (timed)
My wife and I were in USJ on October 3 (still sad Chris was not in the park that day) and the Express 8 from Klook was what we needed for a succesfull day. We wanted all Super Nintendo games and this pass was the only one that had them. It made our day super manageable as we were also watching the One Piece Premier show. Also thanks to the pass we had the new Minions ride we didnt even knew existed before.
Hope to visit USJ (and Tokyo Disney) again in the future (and meet Chris)
Wonderful video
You answered all the questions we have for an upcoming trip. Great information about being able to use our express pass 7 to get into Nintendo land at our allocated time, plus, getting another timed entry if they are available!
Happy 12th Japanese birthday!
Quick question : do you get priority access when you stay in USJ hotels liké in Orlando? Cheers
Congratulations on 12 years in Japan and thanks for the informative video! We'll be heading down in Dec with a 3 hour VIP tour, can't wait! 😄
I hate to say it universal is not my jam 😢 but I did very much enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I can’t do most of the rides due to back issues & motion sickness! But I had my first Disney Park day & loved it 😅 ps. I refuse to buy whatever version the paid pass is, that’s just me ☺️
Loved this ❤ – next time we do the Disney Asia parks we will add this to our trip 🥰
Great vlog ❤
Chris I miss the podcast I’m listening to old episodes
This is very helpful ❤
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter brings so many memories. / You can bring your Nintendo switch?
9:12 "The reason is… I wanted it"
Based. That's why I love you Chris. Never change
Really good informations thanks!
Do you have to take of your glasses for the rides?
Have you tried @Pinster 3 ingredients meals this is a good & easy meal prep ❤😊
Today I did almost every game without any express pass
Visited Japan for the first time two months ago. Went straight to VIP because ain't no way I can wait over an hour per ride 😩 (especially for DK Mine Cart)
What is your opinion on bringing children 4 to 7 years old? And how difficult is it if you arrive a bit late, like 8 to 9AM?