How to Get to Universal Studios Japan from Tokyo

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A common question for visitors to Japan is how to get to Universal Studios Japan from Tokyo. This article will assist you in better understanding the options to travel from Tokyo to USJ.

How to Purchase Universal Studios Japan Tickets and Express Passes

We have a detailed article to help you plan your visit to USJ, including how to purchase your tickets and skip the queue Express Passes.

Click Here to check out our detailed article to help you plan your visit to USJ

How to Get to Universal Studios Japan from Tokyo

I have put together a step by step guide on how to catch the train from Tokyo to Universal Studios Japan.

Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station

In Tokyo, the bullet train departure points are from Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station or Shin-Yokohama Station to Shin-Osaka Station. If you have a Japan Rail Pass you can either pre-reserve your seats on the shinkansen or plan to travel in the non-reserved carriages. The included trains are the Hikari, Kodama and Sakura services, note that the Nozumi is not included. The included trains will take approximately 3 hrs, the Nozumi will take 2:45 hrs. The main difference in timing is the number of stops along the way. If you are not using a JR Pass you can book your train on arrival at your departure station.

Make sure you allow extra time to visit the food hall at Tokyo Station to purchase some delicious ekiben snacks to eat on the train.

I suggest you try to get a seat allocation on the right hand side so that you can have the chance to see Mt Fuji as you pass.

Shin-Osaka Station to Universal City Station

After you arrive at Shin-Osaka Station, you will now need to transfer to the local trains to get to Universal City Station, the dedicated station for Universal Studios Japan. There are two different local line options you can choose. If you are using a JR Pass, this route is also included with your JR Pass.

Depart from Shin-Osaka Station and follow the signs to the Tokaido-Sanyo Line, and catch this train to Osaka Station, a journey of 4 minutes. The walk to the Osaka Loop Line and catch this train to Nishikujo Station, a journey of 5 minutes. Then do a final transfer to the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station, a journey of 5 minutes. Sometimes the final two trains are the same train and you will not need to change trains at Nishikujo Station.

Yes, you have to catch three separate trains to get there, but they are all short rides with quick transfers. There is good signage for Universal Studios Japan to help you walk in the right direction.

From Universal City station you will then walk 200m to get to the entrance to USJ – passing by the many hotels, eateries and shops which are located outside the entrance.

Make sure that you plan your USJ visit by reading our detailed article on how to visit USJ. Also plan to purchase your USJ Entry Pass and skip the queue Express Passes in advance.

The Entrance to the Hotel Keihan Universal Towers Hotel on the right hand side
The walk from Universal City Station to the USJ entrance

Bus from Tokyo to Universal Studios Japan

An alternative cheaper option to get from Tokyo to Universal Studios Japan is to catch the bus. There are both day and overnight buses which will drop you off to various locations in Osaka, and you can then catch the train to USJ. Trip time is approximately 8.5 – 10.5 hours, with departures from Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo City.

The easiest option to find and book your bus trip is through 12go.asia – they show all of the options to help you find the best option for your visit. Note that you must book ahead to ensure you will get a seat.

Click Here to check out overnight and day bus options through 12go.asia

You may also like to check out the following articles:

Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group or Discord Server

You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and our Japan Travel Planning Discord Server – they are great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!

Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Anne Sutherland-Smith is the founder of the Pretraveller and Japan Travel Planning blogs which focuses on travel planning. Anne has made multiple visits to destinations like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, the USA and Europe and has also extensively explored her home country of Australia. As a result she writes from personal experience to help others plan their trips to Japan.

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