This is the Day 6 of our 7D6N vacation to the Kansai Region. We dedicated this one whole day explore the famous theme park- Universal Studio Japan (USJ).
As travelers as we are, we always make sure to maximize our time by getting up and going out early in the morning and going back to our accommodation late at night. Before going on this 7-day trip, everything was planned (although there were changes on the actual itinerary) which we will share in a separate article.
Universal Studio Japan location
USJ Park is located at “2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan” which is 30 minutes away from our Airbnb apartment in Osaka. We visited USJ during Golden Week (one of Japan’s long holidays) as expected there was a large crowd visiting the Park. If you are free to select the time of your visit, it is recommended to avoid these dates and all other Holidays.
What really excites me most about visiting USJ is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I am not really into Hollywood movies but I’ve watched The Harry Potter series three times already and have read some of its books. I am excited to explore Hogsmeade and visit Hogwarts. I studied the map and planned ahead what to do first on this visit.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
I read some blogs that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has a monstrous crowd during weekends and holidays. In order to control the crowd, Timed-entry Ticket was used. It means that you cannot directly enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you need to secure a Timed-entry ticket first (note that the booth for this ticket is not situated at the entrance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) and wait for the time reflected in your ticket to access the park. Find out some tips below on how we managed to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter twice, explored the park and rides in the morning and witness the Magical Night Show in the Castle.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is my top priority on this visit. So as we arrived in the park, I ran as fast as I can (you can see this in the video. lol) to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And luckily we were able to access the park without using the Timed-entry ticket. If you really wanted to indulge most of your time in this attraction and access the park twice, as we did, you need to arrive early (before the park opens) as the park allows visitors to enter without the Timed-entry ticket in the early morning as it is not that crowded.
Make sure also to buy your ticket ahead, to save yourself from long lines in the ticket booth. We bought our tickets in the convenience store’s kiosk, three weeks before our 7-day trip. It is also helpful to study the park’s map to familiarize and plan where to go and what to do first.
Hogsmeade
We followed the path to Hogsmeade, we were welcomed by the Weasley family’s flying car that Harry and Ron used to get inside Hogwarts. In the movie, this car crashed in the Whomping Willow and broke down.
I was really overwhelmed and got goosebumps as I enter Hogsmeade. I couldn’t imagine how lucky I am to be able to see this village before my very eyes, the setting, ambience and its view is the same on what I imagined as I read its book before and watched in the movie (3 times I guess, and planning to watch this again). Thank you so much Lord!
Hogwarts Express
Do you remember platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station in London? That’s right, it’s the platform for Hogwarts Express, the train that brings students to Hogsmeade Station, the closest station to Hogwarts. You will see this Hogwarts Express train on your right as soon as you enter this Hogsmeade entrance gate.
You will find in Hogsmeade the same array of shops/restaurants I saw in the movie frequented by the professors and students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry such as Honey Dukes, The three Broomsticks and The Hog’s Head (where you can buy the famous Butter Beer).
After taking few photos, in the array of shops in Hogsmeade. We ran through the winged boar gates and enter the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As we took the line to the famous Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, we walked through the Hogwarts Castle and saw the magical world of Harry Potter including the moving portraits and corridors while Harry and his friends are talking about the upcoming Quidditch.
We were able to see different classrooms we saw in the movie such as the Potion classroom and the Dark Arts classroom. In the Headmaster office was Professor Dumbledore extending his warm to welcome all the muggles.
At the end of the walk was the most awaited ride. We were able to experience a flight around the Hogwarts Castle, the Whomping Willow encounter, saw the group of Dementors and participated in the Quidditch match. I enjoyed flying and chasing the Quidditch, never in my wildest dream that I imagined this would happen. My Harry Potter heart was so full with this ride.
As we exit the Castle, we decided to explore other attractions. Of course, we made sure that we will be able to come back in the evening to witness the Magical night show in the castle. We checked the location of the time-entry ticket booth (as far as I know this can only be used once), we did not used timed-entry ticket when entering the attraction this morning. We secured a ticket which will allow us to enter the attraction again at 5:00pm as the night show will start at 6:00pm.
Walk around
We got lost along the bunch of crowd in New York, San Francisco and Hollywood.
We just enjoyed walking around exploring every corners of the park.
Despicable Me
Tried our luck in Despicable Me but waited for almost 2 hours to enter this attraction and was able see and ride with all the cute minions.
Jurassic Park
Meet some cute little dinosaurs and the big ones. Screamed and got wet in the Jurassic Park ride.
Took this photo after getting wet at the Jurassic Park Ride, that boat in our back.
Lupin the Third
We just said Hi to Lupin the Third. I felt dizzy with the large crowd.
USJ Magical Night Show
At 5 pm we head back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with our timed-entry ticket. We bought a butter bear before securing a place in front of the castle to have a nice view of the Magical Night Show. You can watch the night show here.
It was indeed a magical evening. A story unfold with a projection mapping on the façade of the Hogwarts Castle. As the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff was introduced, projected lights also changes showcasing each houses.
Night Parade
After the magical night show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we headed to the alley and secured a place to watch the Universal Spectacle Night Parade- Best of Hollywood. It was a parade of floats with lights and music of different Hollywood movies.
Before the parade ends, we headed to New York(char!) to experience The Amazing Adventure of Spider –Man 4K3D-The Ride. Take note that during a parade or even before it ends, is the best time to go to attractions/rides with long lines as everybody else is still enjoying the parade.
We stayed behind until the last minute before the Park closes. An hour before the park closes is the best time to capture photos. All photos below were taken using camera stand and camera-control using our phone (sariling sikap photos LOL).
Photoshoot right before we leave USJ
We were able to sit in the middle of the street watching everyone rushing to the Park’s exit.
A photo with New York’s famous Yellow Cab Taxi.
Experience New York’s night view with Spiderman as our audience of our romantic pose. LOL
