Really looking forward to this day to finally be able to visit the very popular Harry Potter zone of Universal Studios, and try the butterbeer, and take nice photos of the Hogwarts Castle! Another part that I'm really looking forward to too is trying all the cute themed food!
But before that, quick convenience store breakfast of egg mayo sandwich and chilled coffee. Gosh, I LOVE their sandwiches, the bread is soooo soft and the fillings are always amazing! (Can't get this quality in SG and at just $2.20)
Universal Studios Japan ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン
0900-2000hrs (varies slightly everyday, check website for timings)
Admission: 1-day ¥7,800, 2-day ¥15,400
There is really a lot of things to go through for USJ. Alright, so first of all, to get to USJ from wherever you are staying, take a JR train to Universal-City Station. USJ is not linked to the station, but there are lots of helpful signage guiding to the place since it’s a popular attraction. The park was EXTREMELY packed, especially at the Harry Potter zone! It was autumn when I visited, so the cooling weather makes waiting time a lot bearable. Prior to visit, I made a list of all the attractions and shops, and try my best to take as many photos as possible!
So here’s the list! (All info found from the website)
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: indoor ride through the castle
Hogwarts Castle Walk: walk through the castle without taking the ride
Flight of the Hippogriff: outdoor kid-friendly roller coaster ride
Triwizard Spirit Rally: a splendid ribbon dance and dynamic acting acrobatics
Three Broomsticks: traditional British dishes like Fish and Chips, and Shepherd's Pie, Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice
Hog's Head: pub
Zonko's Joke Shop: a replica from the movie, a shop with funny items frequented by the Weasley twins, George and Fred
Honeydukes: a replica from the movie, a candy shop loved by the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with popular sweets like Bertie Bottas Every-Flavour Beans, and Chocolate Frogs
Ollivanders: a wand shop
Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment: wide variety of wizarding equipment like binoculars, magnifying glasses and compasses
Owl Post and Owlery: stationery and writing implements, stamps, owl-related toys and gifts. You can even send a postcard home from here!
Dervish and Banges: magical supplies and wizarding equipment like Hogwarts uniforms
Gladrags Wizardwear: fashion items and clothing, accessories and jewellery
Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods: discover items from caretaker Argus Filch's collection of treasures confiscated from students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like Hogwarts-themed clothing and stationery themed on each of the four houses
Hogwarts Express: the iconic Hogwarts Express steam engine train that carries the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Hogsmeade Station
Hollywood
Hollywood Dream -The Ride: outdoor roller coaster ride
Hollywood Dream -The Ride -Backdrop-: outdoor reverse roller coaster ride
Space Fantasy -The Ride: indoor roller coaster ride
Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic: 4D movie
Shrek's 4-D Adventure: 4D movie
SING on Tour: indoor performance
Playing with Curious George: indoor performance
Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show: an indoor funky and crazy monster show by Beetlejuice and his friends, Dracula, Werewolf, Frankenstein and his bride
Universal Spectacle Night Parade: experience the spectacular lighted floats and watch out for Optimus Prime who transforms right in front of you!
Beverly Hills Boulangerie: French-style cafe, sandwiches, confectionery
Pink Cafe: a landmark appearance based on an actual shop in Hollywood, ice cream, whoopie pies
Mel's Drive-In: burger shop filled with 'American Graffiti'
Studio Stars Restaurant: cafeteria set in a movie studio
New York
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man -The Ride: indoor ride with animated screen
Terminator 2: 3-D: indoor ride with animated screen
Sesame Street Bollywood: outdoor Bollywood dance performance
East Meets West Quartet: outdoor violin performance
Finnegan's Bar and Grill: Western-style cuisine in an Irish pub
Louie's N.Y. Pizza Parlor: casual Italian restaurant, pasta, pizza
SAIDO: stylish Japanese restaurant
Park Side Grille: grilled dishes like steak
Azzurra di Capri: stone oven pizzas
Minion Park
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: indoor ride with animated screen
Freeze Ray Sliders: outdoor spinning ride (like teacup ride)
Delicious Me! The Cookie Kitchen: Minion ice cream sandwich cookies
Pop-A-Nana: chocolate-banana flavoured popcorn
San Francisco
Backdraft: indoor fire show
The Dragon's Pearl: Chinese restaurant
Happiness Cafe: Minion themed dishes restaurant in a remodeled San Francisco warehouse
Jurassic Park
The Flying Dinosaur: outdoor flight ride
Jurassic Park -The Ride: outdoor boat ride
My Friend Dinosaur: meet the walking dinosaurs!
Fossil Fuels: snack stand
Lost World Restaurant: South America cuisine
Discovery Restaurant: a replica of the movie's visitor centre, jungle-themed dishes
WaterWorld
WaterWorld: sheltered water stunt show
Amity Village
JAWS: outdoor boat ride
Amity Landing Restaurant: replica of the shipyard of Amity Village in "JAWS", fried chicken
Boardwalk Snacks: snack stand
Amity Ice Cream: replica of JAWS's Ellen Brody's ice cream shop
Snoopy Studios
The Flying Snoopy: outdoor round-and-round flight ride
Snoopy's Great Race: indoor kid-friendly roller coaster ride
Snoopy Sound Stage Adventure: indoor playground
Snoopy's Backlot Cafe: burger place with Snoopy themed dishes
Hello Kitty Fashion Avenue
Hello Kitty's Ribbon Collection: check out Hello Kitty's boutique collection
Hello Kitty's Cupcake Dream: outdoor spinning ride (like teacup ride)
Hello Kitty's Corner Cafe: Hello Kitty themed snacks
Sesame Street Fun World
Big Bird's Big Top Circus: carousel
Elmo's Little Drive: car driving for small kids (3-6yrs old)
Sesame's Big Drive: car driving for big kids (6-12yrs old)
Elmo's Go-Go Skateboard: outdoor back-and-forth ride (like pirate ship)
Moppy's Balloon Trip: outdoor round-and-round flight ride
Elmo's Bubble Bubble: indoor ride on a bubble-filled stream
Moppy's Lucky Dance Party: indoor performance
Abby's Magical Tree: outdoor playground
Cookie Monster Slide: outdoor slide
Ernie's Rubber Duckie Race: play in the water with Ernie's favourite rubber ducky!
Grover's Construction Company: indoor building blocks play area
Big Bird's Big Nest: indoor climbing activity
There is a lot more photos, but I only managed to edit these. Will probably continue to edit more and add them here next time whenever there's free time! Overall, it was a great day spent at the park and this is a lot bigger than SG's! Don't forget to stay all the way till night falls to enjoy the light show at the Hogwarts Castle!
Headed back to Osaka city and had Ichiran for dinner!
Exchange Rate = SG$1 : ¥79.30
Day 5 Expenses JR Train: ¥180
USJ:
- Turkey Leg ¥900
- Santa Minion Steamed Bun (cream of mushroom filling) ¥550
- Minion Cookie with Strawberries, Cream, Custard ¥600
- Hello Kitty Steamed Bun (cheese and pork filling) ¥500
- Butterbeer (cold) ¥650
- Harry Potter Postcard (posted back to SG) ¥750
JR Train: ¥160
7-11:
- Crabstick Salad ¥198 x2
- Mentaiko Potato Salad ¥138
- Chicken Meatballs ¥98
Ichiran Ramen: ¥890
TOTAL: ¥5,812 = SG$73.30 Previous Expenses: SG$2,084.75
Current Total Expenses: SG$2,158.05