Konnichiwa!

Day 5 is Universal Studios day, yaaayy!!

It's finally the time to visit the famous theme park in Osaka, Japan.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is basically a lot bigger than the one in Singapore (obviously) and what makes it very famous is no other than the Harry Potter and the Wizarding World, which launched in 2014. So it is a MUST visit for you fellow Potterheads :)

In case you're wondering which one to visit, USJ or Disneyland when in Japan?
It depends on which movie or cartoon characters that you're most fond of or you're a fan of.
USJ is the place for fans of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minions, Snoopy, Sesame Street, and the famous cat from Japan, Hello Kitty.
While Disneyland is famous with Mickey and Minnie mouse, the fairytale princesses, Toy Story, and the latest one is Star Wars.
Me and my sister managed to visit both, so I'll also write about our visit to Disneyland Japan on next post!

Since I'm a big fan and have been grown up with Harry Potter books and movies, I prefer to spend most of the day exploring the Wizarding World in USJ without wasting much time on queuing, and luckily Universal Studios Japan provides the Express Pass for you who want to skip the queue!
Actually it's not that I'm too lazy to queue, but it's mainly because most of the blogs I've read said that the queue for Harry Potter and the Wizarding World can take up to 4 hours, even in weekdays. So it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to purchase the Express Pass in advance.

Well, worry no more fellow Potterheads, let me help you with the following simple guidance to purchase the Express Pass online.

STEP 1: Visit Universal Studios Japan website and activate the Google translate feature, on the top right of browser Chrome

STEP 2: Choose the top-right menu on the web and click on the Studio Pass.
NOTE: You must purchase the Studio Pass first, before purchasing the Express Pass


STEP 3: Click on icon Buy Now in column 1 Day Studio Pass, then choose your date of visit and tick on Direct Inward in order to receive the ticket in a form of QR Code.


STEP 4: Select how many tickets you want to buy, then click on Add to Cart


STEP 5: Choose Universal Express Pass types based on your preferences. 
Currently, there are Express Pass 7, Express Pass 4, and 15th Anniversary Special Express. All Express Pass have already included the pass to Harry Potter and the Wizarding World, except the Express 4 to Flying Dinosaur and Express 4 to Backdrop, the difference among them is only choice of rides included in the package. You can click on View Details to see the list of rides, the list may be different in certain period of times.
What we bought was the Express Pass 7 backdrop, which includes 3 rides in Harry Potter, Spiderman 4D (similar type of rides with Transformer in Singapore), Jaws or Jurassic Park – The Ride, Terminator, Hollywood Dream – The Ride or Backdraft.
NOTE: Before proceed to next step by clicking Add to Buy, you should turn off the browser translation first, in order to avoid the page become not responding when choosing the schedule of entrance.


STEP 6: Tick on the Direct Inward again to receive the QR Code Ticket

Then, choose number of tickets you'd like to purchase
NOTE: You may skip STEP 5 and STEP 6, if you don't wanna buy the Express Pass :)


STEP 7: Click on Register to proceed purchase and turn on the browser translate again.


STEP 8: Fill in the required data. Here's some tips to fill the registration.

• Phonetic name: translate your name in Google Translate to Japanese
• Postal Code, State, City, Address: fill in the address of your stay (hotel or AirBnb) while in Japan
• Bill name mansion: you can leave it blank

Tick on the confirmation, then proceed to Payment


STEP 9: Fill in the payment details using Credit Cards (only) and proceed.


STEP 10: The tickets are now yours! you can print your ticket by tick on the box and click on Display the QR code of the Direct Inward button. Then you can just bring the ticket along with you and enjoy the ride!

NOTE: If the page is not responding or you wish to print it later, here's How to login and view the same page again.

1. On USJ home page choose menu To look for and purchase a ticket and click on Purchase History


3. Logon by input your registered Email address (no. 1) and Password (no. 2)

4. Click on View details button to display the QR Code.

Hope the guidance helps you!

By using the Express Pass, me and my sister managed to ride around 8 - 9 rides in Universal Studios Japan from the morning until the evening, yet still have enough time to explore the shops.
Some tips for my fellow Potterheads, you should visit the shops that sells Harry Potter merchandise in the morning once you enter the park, since it is not crowded at all and you can try on the Sorting Hat, the student coat, and playing around with the Magic Wand and Hedwig

It's the wand that choose you, said Mr. Ollivander

And last but not least, let me present you my dear muggles, the HOGSMEADE!

Firebolt or Nimbus?

Why so Sirius?

Cheers!

By the way, have you watch the movie Fantastic Beasts and where to find them?


See you on next post!