USJ Express Pass: Which One To Buy

The USJ Express Pass is the paid skip the line ticket for Universal Studios Japan, and in 2026 it has quietly become close to essential for first timers. With the park celebrating its 25th anniversary and Donkey Kong Country pulling multi-hour queues, the Express Pass is less a luxury and more the difference between riding everything you came for and spending the day in line.

How it works

An Express Pass is bought on top of your Studio Pass, not instead of it. Each version covers a set list of rides, from Express 4 up to Express 7, and the bigger ones bundle guaranteed timed entry to Super Nintendo World so you skip the app lottery entirely. You show a QR code at each covered ride and walk the short queue. For most first visits the Express 7 is the safest pick because it covers the highest demand rides and removes the Nintendo entry gamble altogether.

Is it worth the money?

They are not cheap, and on a quiet Tuesday in February you might not need one. But on weekends, school holidays and event periods the maths is simple: standby queues for the headline rides regularly run 120 to 180 minutes each, and the Express Pass hands those hours back. If you have one day at USJ and Nintendo or Donkey Kong is non-negotiable, buy it. Express Passes are date specific and sell out weeks ahead for popular dates, often before Studio Passes do.

Tips worth knowing

• Match the pass to your must-rides. Each Express Pass version lists exactly which attractions it covers.
• Book the Express Pass and Studio Pass for the same date, and check both before locking flights around a park day.
• Some versions include timed slots for specific rides. Build your day loosely around those windows.
• Keep your park entry QR and Express QR both handy, as staff scan them separately.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Express Pass get me into the park? No, you still need a Studio Pass. The Express Pass only shortens queues and secures area entry.

Which version should I buy? If budget allows, the top tier covering Super Nintendo World entry. Otherwise pick the version whose ride list matches your priorities.

Do they sell out? Yes, faster than park tickets. Weekends and holidays can be gone a month or more ahead.

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