I’d heard that summer is one of the busiest times to visit Universal Studios Japan, and honestly, I’m not sure why. Sure, school’s out—but with how hot and humid Japanese summers are, I personally think it’s the worst time to go. So is it still worth visiting in summer? This isn’t a general review of USJ—it’s about what it’s like to visit in the middle of summer. Because for me, the weather completely shaped my experience of the park. Before I walk you through how our day actually went, here’s a quick rundown of what you should know if you’re planning to visit USJ in the summer. Spoiler: it’s crowded.
How crowded is USJ in summer? And How long are the wait times?
Very. We went the day after a national holiday, in the middle of summer, and during the Osaka World Expo—which definitely didn’t help. Most of the major thrill rides had 40–60 minute waits, like The Flying Dinosaur. Super Nintendo World was on another level though—Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness had a posted wait time of 240 minutes when we got in line. But it actually only took us 90 minutes, which makes me wonder if the wait times are sometimes exaggerated (or if we just got lucky). As someone who’s frequents Disney parks, the lines at USJ (besides Nintendo World) really weren’t that bad. As long as there are some rides under an hour wait, I’m happy—and there were always at least a few.
What are the most popular rides and areas?
Without a doubt, Super Nintendo World is the most in-demand part of the park. It includes a timed-entry system once capacity is reached, and re-entry requires a reservation via the app. The area itself is impressive, but the extreme crowds and lack of food options made it hard to stay long.
Tip: If you want to eat at the Nintendo sit-down restaurant, reserve early. We showed up around lunchtime and the earliest available slot was after 5 p.m.
Other popular areas include Minion Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We didn’t have time to explore these fully, but the theming looked excellent.
For thrill seekers, the Jurassic Park section has two standout rides. The Flying Dinosaur—a coaster where you hang face-down—was intense enough to make me nauseous, though my husband rode it twice. The second is Jurassic Park: The Ride—your classic water ride with animatronic dinosaurs, a gentle cruise that turns into a big splash at the end.
What should I wear in summer?
Light, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton are best. Japanese summer humidity means you will sweat—a lot. I’d also recommend those cooling wipes they sell at convenience stores in Japan. They’re great for freshening up after hours in the heat—especially helpful before getting on a packed train back to your hotel.
Comfortable footwear is a must, and after years of city living, I’ve learned that shoes with thick, cushioned soles make a huge difference when you’re standing on hard pavement all day. Also, a practical detail you’ll notice in Japan: many people carry small umbrellas for sun protection. I’ve started doing it too. When you’re stuck standing in line under the sun, having your own shade really helps.
Are things air-conditioned?
Thankfully, yes. Most lines were shaded, had fans, or even full AC. That actually influenced our decision to queue for the 90-minute Donkey Kong ride—it was mostly indoors. Shops and restaurants are air-conditioned as well, but finding an indoor seat can be a challenge.
During lunch, we spent 30 minutes hunting for a table. I had to stalk a table and grab it as soon as the people left. It was kind of cutthroat—another guest literally sat in my husband’s seat the second he stood up to go to the bathroom. It wasn’t the best moment, but that’s how competitive it gets when it’s hot and crowded.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here’s how our day at USJ went down—we didn’t use express passes, and we learned a lot along the way.
Our Visit to Universal Studios Japan
So here’s how our day went. We booked a package that flew us from Tokyo to Osaka early morning, spent day one at the Expo, and stayed overnight before hitting Universal the next day. No express passes for us—we figured getting there early would be enough.
We showed up at 6:45 a.m., passed security at 7:15, but had to wait nearly an hour before the gates opened around 8 (officially 8:30). We rushed to Nintendo World because once it’s full, you need a timed entry ticket from the app.
First ride: Mario Kart: Supercharged. Super fun, kind of like one of those shooting games where you aim and score. Wait was only 30 minutes—which was awesome. I won, by the way. Gotta brag a little as the youngest sibling.
Yoshi’s Adventure was next. Cute and definitely made for little kids, but the line and theming were charming.
Donkey Kong was already packed, so we grabbed a timed re-entry and went to Jurassic Park area. The Flying Dinosaur coaster was intense—unfortunately I got motion sick after one go. Then the water ride soaked us—perfect for the blazing 95-degree heat with 80% humidity.
We caught the WaterWorld show, and even without understanding much Japanese, it was pretty entertaining. But I thought it was surprisingly action-packed for a family park.
Back in Nintendo World for Donkey Kong: Mine-craft Madness, the wait was posted as 240 minutes. We braced ourselves but only waited about 90 minutes, which was a relief. Nearby, we found this amazing frozen mango snack—I ate two.
The Nintendo restaurant was fully booked until 5 p.m., so instead we got lunch in the Snoopy area. Finding a table was a struggle. This was where one guest stared us down to pressure us into leaving.
By late afternoon, the heat had totally worn us out. The guys went off to do more coasters while I chilled at a café with a friend. We spent an hour exploring the shops but everything was way too neon and loud for my taste.
We finished the day on the Jaws ride—slow, cheesy, but kinda nostalgic. Left around 6:30, to catch our flight back to Tokyo. At the airport, we grabbed the best pork buns and shumai, from the famous Osaka chain 551 Horai. A little under an hour flight later, we returned to Tokyo and absolutely crashed at home.
I’m glad we finally made it out to Osaka and I can’t wait to comeback— but definitely never again in summer!
To read more about our adventures in and out of Japan check out these other articles:
Is the World Expo in Osaka Worth it?