Universal Studios Theme Park of Japan – A Must for Children

Nestled in Osaka, the Universal Studios Japan since 2001 receives millions of visitors each year for its awesome rides and attractions. Much of the rides resemble the rides of the Universal Orlando Resort. This Universal Studios theme park was the first of its kind to be made outside U.S when it was opened nine years back. The park offers nine themed areas fully packed with rides, shows, shops, and restaurants. The best part is that several highlights are located indoors to allow the guests to enjoy on the days when the weather is bad.

Main Rides

These are split into nine themed areas. Believe me; each ride is worth trying provided you are brave enough for certain ones.

• New York:
  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
  • Terminator 2:3D as an indoor ride
• Hollywood:
  • Shrek's 4D Adventure as an indoor ride
  • Sesame Street 4D Movie Magic as an indoor ride
  • Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show as an indoor ride
  • Animation Celebration as an indoor ride
  • Hollywood Dream as a coaster drive for 3 minutes
  • Space Fantasy: The Ride for 10 minutes
  • Magical Starlight Parade
  • Fantastic World
• San Francisco
  • Back to the Future - The Ride
  
  • Backdraft as an indoor ride
• Jurassic Park
  • Jurassic Park: The Ride for getting wet at its culminating point
• Snoopy Studios
  • Snoopy Studios Entrance
  • Snoopy's Sound Stage Adventure with the indoor coaster called Snoopy’s Great Race
  • Snoopy's Playland with a water slide outdoors
• Lagoon
  • Peter Pan's Neverland as an evening program
• Water World
  • Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular
• Amity Village
  • o Jaws as a boat ride with the chance of getting wet
• Land of Oz
  • Wicked as a show
  • Toto & Friends as a show
  • Magical Oz-Go-Round

Restaurants

Try out some delicious cuisines in any of the following restaurants.

• Saido – the only restaurant in this universal studios theme park offering Japanese cuisine
• Discovery Restaurant for rice and noodles
• The Dragon’s Pearl for Chinese food
• Louie’s N.Y. Pizza Parlor for Italian food
• Beverly Hills Boulangerie for breads and pastries

• Cart
• Boardwalk Snacks
• Snoopy’s Backlot Café
• Mel’s Drive in
• Amity Ice Cream
• Fossil Fuels
• Pink Cafe

Shops

Consider shopping some souvenirs from any of the following venues.

• Studio Gift East
• Studio Gift West
• Universal Studios Store
• California Confectionary
• Beverly Hills Gift

Accommodations

Listed below are the hotels in Osaka.

• Hotel Keihan Universal City
• Hotel Seagull Tenpozan
• Hyatt Regency Osaka
• Hotel Kintetsu Universal City
• Hotel Keihan Universal Tower

Tickets

A 1-day Studio Pass costing 6,100 yen for an adult (12 and above), 4,100 yen for a child (4 – 11), and 5,400 yen for seniors allows access to all attractions. If you are planning to explore this universal studios theme park in two days, then 2-day Studio Pass is a perfect choice costing 10,000 yen for an adult and 6,900 for a child.

A Twilight & Day Pass is for 1.5 days using which you can enter the park on the first day after 3 in the afternoon. The cost for an adult pass is 8,100 yen and a kid pass is 5,600 yen. If you do not want to spend time in waiting in the queues at the rides and shows, check out for a Universal Express Pass Booklet. You can purchase the tickets online or at the JR offices, travel agencies, and in some hotels too.

• Verdict: The Universal Studios Theme Park of Japan is must for kids between 6 and 11.