[USJ] Universal Studios Japan latest news – Temporary attractions and Express Passes – Updated: November 2018

In addition to the Express Passes listed in our guide to buy USJ tickets, here you will find Universal Studios Japan news and updated information related to temporary attractions and its Express Passes.

Universal Cool Japan 2019

The fifth edition of Universal Cool Japan will take place from January 18 to August 25. On this occasion, USJ has divided this event in two terms:

• Spring term (from Jaunuary 18 to June 23): Detective Conan, Lupin III
• Summer term (from May 31 to August 25): Attack on Titan, Evangelion vs Godzilla, Sailor Moon.

So, it seems that the ideal time to travel to the park would be at the beginning of June, with almost all the attractions active, as we will comment next.

Picture: usj.co.jp

Lupin III makes his debut in Universal Cool Japan with a theme restaurant (Lupin III Ristorante Amore, open until May 26) and an XR Ride –Lupin II Char Chase XR Ride– which will take place in the Space Fantasy area using virtual reality glasses synchronized with your movement.

In its third consecutive appearance in Cool Japan, Detective Conan will be present in an escape room (only recommended for those who are fluent in Japanese), a gymkhana throughout the park to solve a mystery (we imagine it will also require a good Japanese level) and a thematic restaurant where we can also investigate a crime. Both the gymkhana and the restaurant will close on May 26.

Godzilla will also make his debut in Cool Japan in the 2019 edition, and will be accompanied by Evangelion, in a unique and unprecedented attraction, in which we will enjoy an original story that will face them in a 4D projection. It will take place in the cinema where we can usually find the attractions Shrek 4D and Sesame Street 4D.

To conclude with the list of attractions of Unviersal Cool Japan, the attraction of Sailor Moon will also consist of a 4D projection with which we can interact with our magic wand, while Attack the Titans will offer us a live show
on the park’s stage

Source: USJ

Universal Cool Japan 2019 Express Passes (from January 18 to June 24)

• The Express Passes for Universal Cool Japan 2019 won’t be sold until mid december.

Universal Countdown Party 2019

USJ celebrates the New Year’s entrance in style!Can you imagine spending the New Year’s Eve in the park? Tickets are already on sale, they are called Party Pass and they allow you to access the park from 19:00 on December 31 until 21:00 on January 1. Up to 26 hours enjoying Universal Studios Japan!

These tickets can be combined with special express passes that allow you to shorten the waiting time for certain attractions, either until two in the morning (standard version), or until nine in the morning (All nighter version). Apparently, from nine in the morning you would need to buy another express pass.

Source: USJ

Express Passes for  Universal Countdown Party 2019 (December 31)

• (1) Party Pass. Ticket for USJ Countdown Party.
• (2) Party Pass + Special Express Pass 3. It includes the following attractions:
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D
  • Choose one of the following: Jaws, Sesame Street 4D Movie Magic, Terminator 2: 3D or Backdraft
• (3) Party Pass + Special Express Pass 3 * Evangelion XR Ride. It includes the following attractions:
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  • Evangelion XR Ride
  • Choose one of the following: Jaws, Sesame Street 4D Movie Magic, Terminator 2: 3D y Backdraft
• (4) Party Pass + Special Express Pass 3 * Evangelion XR Ride + Minions Ride. It includes the following attractions:
  • Evangelion XR Ride
  • Minion Mayhem Ride
  • Choose one of the following:  Hollywood Dream – The Ride y Jurassic Park – The Ride
• (5) Party Pass + Special Express Pass 3 * The Flying Dinosaur + Minions Ride. It includes the following attractions:
  • The Flying Dinosaur
  • Minion Mayhem Ride
  • Choose one of the following: Hollywood Dream – The Ride y Jurassic Park – The Ride
• (6) Party Pass + Special Express Pass 3 * Countdown Special. It includes the following attractions:
  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
  • The Flying Dinosaur
  • Minion Mayhem Ride
• The other tickets are sold out already 🙁

These tickets can be purchased from USJ Countdown Party website (where you can check what types of tickets are sold
out and which ones can still be purchased). It’s quite easy if you use the Chrome browser translator (and follow our guide) but, attention, although all these tickets can be purchased online but only the Party Pass can be purchased as an e-ticket, the rest of passes are delivered
by postal mail at Japanese addresses from the end of November to the beginning of December. It’s not so convenient for those who are traveling to Japan.

Another option would be to buy these express passes at a Lawson store, asking for help from the employees (although realistically, these tickets will run out quickly so at the end of December we do not believe there are any left :-/)

Universal Wonder Christmas 2018

Winter comes to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Studios Japan has announced exciting new features for the coming months. From 9 November, Hogsmeade will welcome visitors with a new decoration, which will draw special attention to the Christmas tree and the snow mantle that will cover its roofs and Hogwarts’, and a new nocturnal lighting, a very “christmassy”one.

If that’s not enough, in addition to the many decorations and adornments, all Harry Potter fans with a special magic wand (for sale in the Olivander Store, among other points of sale) will be able to make two spells in front of the Christmas tree: Locomotor, which will make the tree ornaments move; and Lumos, which will make illuminate it.

As night falls, Hogwarts Castle will transform before our eyes as the wizards cast spells that will change its are appearance into different Christmas and Winter scenes.

We will be able to enjoy this event until February 28, although from January 9 Christmas decorations will be removed and the video mapping projectionst will be changed.

The Voice of an Angel and the Christmas tree

In addition to Christmas at Hogsmeade, at USJ we can also enjoy The Gift of Angels III: The Voice of an Angel, an exciting musical performance in which light and color projections will play a very important role. One of the most special moments will be the participation of the London children’s choir Libera. And as an extra incentive, this Christmas will be the last occasion in which you can witness this show!

The Gift of Angels III: The Voice of an Angel it’s about 20 minutes long, and will take place from November 9 to January 6 and can be seen twice a day (17:35 or 19:25 pm) or just once (17:35) in the New York area, depending on the day (here you have the calendar planned for November, December and January)

During the first daily session of the show, the USJ Christmas tree will be lighted. This tree will be a very special one, thanks to video mapping projections it will be in constant transformation, so we never see it the same.

Yellow Christmas – A very Minion Crhistmas

Last but not least, Minions will join to the celebration with their Minion Mayhem Christmas Party, a parade that will be held once (11:00) or twice a day (here you can find the schelude for a November, December and January).

Express Passes for Universal Wonder Christmas (from November 9 to January 6)

• (1) Winter Special Express Pass
  • The Angel’s Miracle III ~ The Voice of an Angel special viewing area ticket;
  •  Minion Mayhem Ride.
  • Choose one of the following: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D y Jurassic Park – The Ride
  • Choose one of the following: Terminator 2: 3D or Backdraft.

Free Wifi at USJ

From now on, you’ll have free wifi access in the Canopy Zone, limited to 3 periods of 15 minutes each.

Source: USJ

Attractions closed for maintenance

Keep in mind the following maintenance calendar when you buy your USJ tickets and Express Passes, as some attractions are temporarily closed:

• Space Fantasy – The Ride – Unitl June 23rd 2019
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride – Backdrop – From January 11th to 22nd February
• Hollywood Dream – The Ride – From January 17th to February 25th
• Elmo’s Buble Buble – From January 21 to January 25th
• Jurassic Park – The Ride -From January  26 to February 8th
• Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard – From January 31 to February 22nd
• JAWS – From February 11 to February 24th
• The Flying Dinosaur – From February 25 to March 1st
• The Flying Snoopy – From March 4th to March 8th
• Terminator 2: 3D – From April 8th to April 17th

Universal Surprise Halloween 2018 (expired event)

From September 7 to November 4, Halloween is back to Universal Studios Japan a.

Source: USJ

Besides the zombies that roam around the park, USJ’s Halloween 2018 lineup includes the following attractions:

• Silence in the Ghost Ship (horror level 4)
• Hotel Albert(horror level ??)
• Blood Legend (horror level 3)
• The Survival – Dead Man’s Forest 2 (horror level 4)
• Cult of Chucky (horror level 5)
• Sadako – The cursed attraction (horror level 3)
• Insidius – The Last Key (horror level 5)

Source: USJ

Universal Surprise Halloween 2018 (from September 7 to November 4)

• (1) Halloween Full Set. It includes the following attractions:
  • Cult of Chucky
  • Silence in the Ghost Ship
  • The Survival – Dead Man’s Forest 2
  • Access to the VIP zone to enjoy Minion’s Halloween Parade
• (2) Adult Halloween Set – Premium. It includes the following attractions:
  • Silence in the Ghost Ship
  • Blood Legend
  • Access to the Horror Hotel lounge
• (3) Adult Halloween Set – Standard. It includes the following attractions:
  • Silence in the Ghost Ship
  • Blood Legend
• (4) Horror Screaming Halloween Set. It includes the following attractions:
  • Cult of Chucky
  • Insidius – The Last Keys
  • The Survival – Dead Man’s Forest 2
  • Sadako – La atracción maldita
• (5) Ridiculous day full set – SAIDO. It includes the following attractions:
  • Access to the VIP zone to enjoy Minion’s Halloween Parade
  • Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem Ride
  • Terminator 2: 3-D
  • Choose one of the following: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D or Jurassic Park – The Ride
  • Fast queue for the SAIDO Restaurant
• (6) Furorabu Day Fulfilling Set. It includes the following attractions:
  • Access to the VIP zone to enjoy Minion’s Halloween Parade
  • Minions The Ride
  • Terminator 2: 3-D
  • Choose one of the following: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D or Jurassic Park – The Ride
  • Fast queue for USJ restaurants (except SAIDO)

Sailor Moon – The Miracle 4D (expired event)

Express Passes that include Sailor Moon’s attraction

• (1) Sailor Moon – Special Express Pass. It includes the following attractions:
  • Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon – The Miracle 4D
  • Special Edition Photo Opportunity
  • Tuxedo Mask Greeting
  • Luna-P Ramune Case
• (2) Sailor Moon – Standard Express Pass. It includes the following attractions:
  • Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon – The Miracle 4D
  • Luna-P Ramune Case
• (3) Universal Express Pass 2 – Evangelion & Sailor Moon. It includes the following attractions::
  • Evangelion XR Ride
  • Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon – The Miracle 4D

Universal Summer Festival 2018 (expired event)

Universal Summer Festival 2018 Express Passes (Expired event)

• (1) Universal Express Pass – Summer Special.It includes the following attractions:
  • Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem Ride
  • Choose one of the following: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D or Jurassic Park – The Ride
  • Choose one of the following: Terminator 2:3-D or Backdraft
  • Access to the VIP zone for Water Surprises Parade