My household was a part of a gaggle of six households travelling collectively in Japan on a March Break journey. One of many stops we made was in Osaka, and we determined to take a look at Common Studios Japan after we have been within the space.

Having been to Common Studios in the USA earlier than, we had a fairly good thought of what to anticipate. Nonetheless, there have been many distinctive options to Common Studios Japan that drew us in, and we wound up spending the higher a part of a day having fun with the theme park collectively.

Common Studios Japan

Common Studios Japan is situated in Osaka. It’s simply accessible by public transport by way of the JR Yumesaki Line and getting off at Common Metropolis Station. From right here, it’s only a brief stroll to the park entrance.

We discovered it to be fairly simple to navigate our strategy to the theme park from the Hyatt Regency Osaka. Getting round Japan as a household is a breeze, and driving round on the metro is a part of the enjoyable, too.

Common Studios Japan options lots of the similar points of interest as the opposite Common Studios theme parks, together with rides primarily based on common motion pictures and TV exhibits like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Spider-Man. It additionally has its personal distinctive points of interest and experiences, just like the Flying Dinosaur trip, and showcases anime and popular culture icons from Japan. 

Though park employees can talk in English, most, if not all recordings on points of interest are in Japanese solely. Signage and varied exhibits will provide a mixture of Japanese and English, so chances are you’ll need to use an app like Google Lens to assist with navigation.

Shopping for Tickets for Common Studios Japan

Studio Go tickets, your primary ticket to enter the park, begin from ¥8,600 ($86 CAD) per visitor aged 12 and up, and from ¥5,600 ($56 CAD) per youngster aged 4–11. Tickets solely develop into obtainable on the market 60 days upfront.

Due to the inflow of tourists to Japan, tickets do promote out, so I’d counsel getting tickets as early as attainable. That is very true throughout common journey instances, corresponding to March Break or the summer season holidays. 

Tickets will be purchased instantly from the Common Studios Japan web site or on Klook. I personally advocate shopping for it instantly from Common Studios Japan, as this feature means that you can select the ticket you need, together with any Categorical Go choices, which aren’t obtainable on Klook.

Some folks have reported issue utilizing sure bank cards on the Common Studios Japan cost web page. Specifically, US-issued American Categorical playing cards have a tendency to not work, so that you’re higher off utilizing a unique card.

Think about using a card with no international transaction charges, such because the HSBC World Elite Mastercard, to avoid wasting a bit of cash in your buy.

Categorical Go

The Categorical Go is a paid ticket improve possibility that enables friends to skip the common strains and revel in shorter wait instances for choose points of interest at Common Studios Japan. With the move, you may take pleasure in precedence entry to common rides, corresponding to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, The Flying Dinosaur, and Mario Kart: Koopa’s Problem.

There are several types of Categorical Passes obtainable, every with various ranges of entry to points of interest. The extra points of interest included within the move, the costlier it’s. Pricing varies relying on the go to date and demand, however it will probably really value greater than double and even triple your Studio Go ticket worth.

Nonetheless, with the big crowds visiting these days, it might be definitely worth the funding, because you received’t wind up spending your entire day ready in strains.

Some points of interest on the Categorical Go have timed entry, which implies it’s important to entry the trip at a particular time. Nonetheless, with different points of interest, you may head there at your leisure. 

Categorical Passes are restricted, they usually’ll promote out up to some weeks earlier than the go to date.

For those who occur to place an Categorical Go in your procuring cart and the cost web page errors out, simply wait a few hours and the tickets you had in your cart will likely be launched again into stock. Within the interim, you won’t see any availability whenever you attempt to make the acquisition once more, however don’t fret an excessive amount of.

Arriving at Common Studios Japan

The official park opening time varies relying on the date, however is often between 8–9am. For our go to, we arrived at Common Studios Japan round 9:30am.

While you first strategy the gates, you’ll see a number of enormous strains, however these are for individuals who haven’t but purchased their tickets. 

If in case you have pre-bought your ticket, you get directed into one other line to undergo safety. When you move safety, be ready to affix a hoard of individuals.

Tremendous Nintendo World

Since its opening in 2021, Tremendous Nintendo World has been the spotlight of any go to to Common Studios Japan for a lot of guests. Accessing the realm requires a timed-entry ticket, which is free, however comes along with your common park ticket.

This may solely be chosen on the app or at designated ticket kiosks after getting into the park. They’re restricted in availability, so the sooner you get to the park, the higher.

Utilizing the app is the best possibility. Scan your Studio Go QR code to register your admission tickets on the app. For those who’re travelling in a gaggle as we have been, you may register everybody in your group with you in a single go.

Within the app, go to the Timed Entry eTickets part, and choose your most well-liked time. This gives you a QR code, which you’ll then want to indicate on the entrance to Tremendous Nintendo World at your designated time.

They’re strict with entry instances, so don’t even trouble making an attempt to go earlier.

If making it to the park early isn’t an possibility, then shopping for an Categorical Go that features entry into Tremendous Nintendo World is your subsequent finest assured means of entry.

While you enter Tremendous Nintendo World, contemplating shopping for a “Energy-Up Band” for ¥3,200 ($32 CAD). It is a wristband that makes use of Bluetooth know-how to work together with varied parts of the theme park.

With the Energy-Up Bands, you may gather digital cash, compete in video games, and unlock varied surprises as you discover the points of interest and actions all through the park. My youngsters liked it, and we felt it was price the additional value. 

Moreover, you may register the band in your Common Studios Japan app and observe your exercise, progress, and achievements inside the park.

Suggestions for Planning a Day at Common Studios Japan with Your Household

If in case you have school-aged youngsters who need to trip various points of interest, you’ll positively need to purchase an Categorical Go. In any other case, you’ll be in line for 2 or extra hours for a single trip, which takes a number of the enjoyable out of the go to.

If in case you have older youngsters, then reap the benefits of the Single Rider strains obtainable on many rides, which might additionally drastically reduce down wait instances.

For those who’re travelling with youthful youngsters who might not meet top necessities for a trip, then reap the benefits of the Youngster Change system.

Common Wonderland is an space that options points of interest and rides for youthful youngsters, together with infants and toddlers. It options Sesame Road, Snoopy, and Howdy Kitty-themed points of interest.

Right here, wait instances are much more affordable, which is nice for youthful youngsters.

Sadly, Common Studios Japan doesn’t permit bringing any outdoors meals and drinks into the park, aside from small snacks and water. You should definitely convey a refillable water bottle.

Line ups for meals will be horrendous, so that you’ll need to eat earlier than you arrive. It’s also possible to time your meals inside the park to be somewhat earlier than or after prime lunch or dinner instances. We discovered that purchasing pizza at Louie’s N.Y. Pizza Parlor was the quickest possibility. 

Though the rides have been enjoyable, one other fascinating a part of visiting Common Studios Japan was making an attempt the distinctive meals you can solely discover right here. There are tons of enjoyable meals objects that incorporate completely different Common Studios characters, like Minion buns and Harry Potter pies. Do a little analysis beforehand to see which of them could also be price lining up for.  

Lastly, For those who’re into shopping for the memento popcorn buckets, purchase them early, because the park solely sells a restricted amount per day. Anticipate all the things to be offered out by the late afternoon.

Conclusion

Regardless of being very busy, we had fun at Common Studios Japan, and located that it was a singular cultural expertise for the entire household. Though the theme park was crowded, it was orderly, clear, and well-run, which made for a greater expertise.

We loved visiting the components of the park, like Tremendous Nintendo World, which might be distinctive to Japan. It was additionally enjoyable to check out the specialty meals that you simply received’t discover anyplace else.

You’ll should determine for your self whether or not it’s price braving the crowds, however in case you plan to go, simply make sure you purchase your tickets early. Think about buying an Categorical Go, and reap the benefits of Single Rider strains to maximise your time at Common Studios Japan.