Universal Studios Japan: Nintendo World, Harry Potter and the Minions, in the right order

The hardest park in Japan to plan, because Super Nintendo World requires a timed entry ticket that runs out in minutes. The order: at the gate an hour and a half early, Nintendo first, Harry Potter at midday, and the shows in the evening.

A full day at Universal Studios Japan, in an order that saves lines. You arrive at the gate an hour and a half before opening, go into Super Nintendo World first, eat an early lunch, move on to Harry Potter in the midday hours, and finish with the Minions, Jaws and the WaterWorld show. Between the areas you walk 5 to 10 minutes, and the whole day is about 5 km on foot inside the park. The ride from Osaka Station is 12 minutes, ¥200 each way.

Verified online, September 20269 stops · 07:15 to 20:30¥16,200 · ≈ $103 per personWalking between stops: 65 minGood with kids from age 5Advance ticket requiredExpress Pass in peak season

The day on a map

9 stops, in order

Stops: 9
Walking minutes: 65

Stop number on the timelineWalkingBase map: © OpenStreetMap

Open this day in Google Maps

The same stops with the same numbers, and the way from stop to stop. On a phone it opens in the app, and that is what you navigate with in Japan. Pin names on the map are in Hebrew.

Getting there: From Osaka Station: the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station, 12 minutes, ¥200, on a direct train or with a change at Nishikujo. From Namba: the Hanshin Namba Line from Osaka-Namba Station to Nishikujo, and there the JR Yumesaki Line, about 24 minutes, ¥400. From the station it is about 5 minutes on foot through CityWalk to the gate. Leave at 06:45. The park announces 09:00 and sometimes opens at 08:00, and the hours vary by day.

07:1508:30
Stop 1ArrivalMust
The line at the gate and Universal CityWalk
You start in the line at the gate. Buy a dated ticket on the official site or through Klook: from ¥8,400 per adult, and since 1 September 2026 the price rises as tickets for that day sell, so earlier is cheaper. Arrive at 07:15, because the park almost always opens earlier than announced, and every minute in line before opening is worth 30 minutes later. Breakfast is at CityWalk, the street before the gate, where Lawson is open. Have the official app installed, with your tickets scanned in.
¥9,800 · ≈ $62Dated ticket in advance; the Express Pass sells out months ahead in peak seasonOpen in Maps About this place
Into the park
- Walk · 5 minGo through the gate, and right after the scan, step to the side and open the app.
08:3008:35
Stop 2StrategyMust
The first minute: a timed entry ticket for Super Nintendo World
The moment you are in, open the 'Area Timed Entry Ticket' for Super Nintendo World in the official app: free, with a fixed time, and since January 2026 only through the app. On weekends the tickets run out within 10 to 30 minutes. The alternatives: 'Standby Entry', a physical line when it opens, or a paid Express Pass (from ¥6,800 per person, and Premium from ¥27,600, including Nintendo and rides), which sells out months ahead. Without one of these you do not get into the area.
FreeOnly through the app, after enteringOpen in Maps
Walk to Nintendo World
- Walk · 10 minFrom the gate deep into the park, to the green pipe at the entrance to Super Nintendo World, in the northwest. About 1 km, at a brisk morning pace.
08:4511:30
Stop 3RidesMust
Super Nintendo World: Mario Kart, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and the Power-Up Band
The green pipe leads into Mario's world in three dimensions. Mario Kart, in augmented reality: a 100-minute line at midday and 30 in the morning. Yoshi's Adventure for small children, and the Donkey Kong roller coaster in the area that opened in December 2024. The Power-Up Band (¥5,600, optional) activates the coin blocks. Take the photo in front of Peach's Castle before the area fills up.
FreeOpen in Maps
Down to lunch
- Walk · 5 minKinopio's Cafe is inside the area, a few dozen meters from Mario Kart.
- or: Walk · 5 minTo the Lost World Restaurant: leave Nintendo World and turn into Jurassic Park, about 400 meters.
11:3012:20
Stop 4LunchRecommended
Lunch break in the park
Eat at 11:30, not at 12:30, before the restaurants fill up. The options:
- Kinopio's CafeAbout ¥2,000
  Inside Nintendo World: a mushroom burger and a flower cake. An hour's line, which you join in the app.
- Lost World RestaurantVegan options, not kosher
  In the Jurassic Park area, about 5 minutes from the Nintendo World exit. According to the park, since August 2024 it has plant-based dishes, with no animal ingredient at all, for the main course, the sides and the dessert.
- A Minions burger, or the New York food courtAbout ¥1,500
  Outside Nintendo World, if you do not want to wait for Kinopio's.
- Kosher or vegan? Every kosher and vegan place in this city
¥2,000 · ≈ $13Queue for Kinopio's in the appOpen in Maps
On to Hogsmeade
- Walk · 10 minLeave Nintendo World and continue to Hogsmeade village, about 750 meters. From the Lost World Restaurant it is about 500 meters.
12:3014:20
Stop 5RidesMust
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: snowy Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Journey
Hogsmeade village with snow-covered roofs, Hogwarts Castle, butterbeer (¥900) and wands that trigger spells in the windows (¥5,500). The Forbidden Journey, a simulator inside the castle, in 4D, from age 6 and for those who do not get dizzy: a line of 60 to 90 minutes, and single rider cuts it in half. The Hippogriff roller coaster is for children. On most days there is no timed entry ticket for the area. The tour inside the castle is open until 17 January 2027.
¥900 · ≈ $6Open in Maps
Across to Minion Park
- Walk · 10 minFrom Hogsmeade cross the park south, to Minion Park at the southern end. About 800 meters.
14:3016:20
Stop 6RidesRecommended
The Minions, the Jaws shark ride, and the street show
Minion Park: a 3D ride based on Despicable Me, nice for all ages, and popcorn in a Minion bucket (¥3,000 with the bucket). Jaws is a boat ride with a shark that children love. Hollywood Dream, the main roller coaster, which in the BACKDROP version you ride backwards, for those who like that. The street shows are listed in the app.
¥1,500 · ≈ $10Open in Maps
Walk to WaterWorld
- Walk · 10 minFrom Minion Park west and north, to WaterWorld on the western side of the park. About 600 meters.
16:3017:20
Stop 7ShowRecommended
WaterWorld: a water stunt show
A 20-minute stunt show, with motorboats, fire and a plane. The front rows really do get wet, and the crew warns with signs. There is no organized line, and you arrive 20 minutes early, so sitting before the show is also a rest. Free.
FreeOpen in Maps
An evening round, then CityWalk
- Walk · 10 minIf you are staying in the park for the evening, continue from there. If you are leaving, walk east through the park to the gate and CityWalk, about 1 km.
17:3019:00
Stop 8DinnerIf there is time
Dinner at CityWalk, after an evening round in the park
Before you leave, if you still have energy: from 25 November 2026 to 11 January 2027 there are winter light shows in the evening, and in other seasons check the schedule. Until 8 November 2026 Halloween Horror Nights runs in the evening, and zombies roam the streets from 18:00. The Mario Kart line drops to 40 minutes in the evening, but entering the area still requires a timed ticket, which sometimes frees up. Dinner, cheap and quick, is at CityWalk after you leave, on the way to the station. The options:
- Takopa
  On the 4th floor: six takoyaki stands of Osaka chains, among them Aizuya, Kukuru from Dotonbori, Yamachan and Kogaryu. The takoyaki are filled with octopus. 11:00 to 22:00.
- Fujin Raijin
  Ramen at CityWalk.
- 551 Horai
  Osaka's baozi stand, steamed buns filled with pork, on the 3rd floor.
- Hard Rock Cafe
  An American restaurant and bar on the 4th floor, if you want to sit down.
- Kosher or vegan? Every kosher and vegan place in this city
¥1,800 · ≈ $11Open in Maps
Walk to the station
- Walk · 5 minFrom CityWalk about 400 meters to Universal City Station.
19:3020:30
Stop 9NightRecommended
Train back: 12 minutes to Osaka, and a shower
You finish at the station. The train at closing time is full, but frequent: to Osaka Station 12 to 13 minutes, ¥200, and to Namba with a change at Nishikujo to the Hanshin Namba Line, about 24 minutes, ¥400. If you are sleeping at the hotels next to the park, and many families do, it is the pool and bed. Tomorrow is a calm day: the castle or Dotonbori, without rushing.
¥200 · ≈ $1Open in Maps

Universal Studios Japan: Nintendo World, Harry Potter and the Minions, in the right order

9 stops, in order

The line at the gate and Universal CityWalk

The first minute: a timed entry ticket for Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World: Mario Kart, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and the Power-Up Band

Lunch break in the park

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: snowy Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Journey

The Minions, the Jaws shark ride, and the street show

WaterWorld: a water stunt show

Dinner at CityWalk, after an evening round in the park

Train back: 12 minutes to Osaka, and a shower

Osaka in one day: the castle, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai and Dotonbori at night

Osaka, day two: Nakanoshima, Shinsaibashi, Umeda Sky at sunset and a rooftop bar

Kumano Kodo: the Daimon-zaka steps, Nachi shrine and Japan's tallest waterfall

Day trip to Himeji: Mount Shosha, the Koko-en gardens and the White Heron Castle

Day trip to Mount Koya: Okunoin cemetery, Kongobu-ji and the red pagoda

Kobe: the herb garden by ropeway, the foreigners' houses of Kitano, Chinatown and Kobe beef