[2025 Osaka Attraction] Travel Guide for Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge (Updated May)

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is an exhilarating destination that captures the magic of cinema and entertainment. Upon entering, the vibrant atmosphere is palpable, with iconic attractions and themed areas immersing visitors in their favorite films. One of the highlights is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can explore Hogsmeade, ride the thrilling Forbidden Journey, and enjoy a Butterbeer. The attention to detail in the architecture and the enchanting ambiance make it feel like stepping right into the story. Another standout attraction is the thrilling rides based on popular franchises like Jurassic Park and Minions. The adrenaline rush from the roller coasters and 4D experiences is unforgettable. The park also offers spectacular live shows, including parades featuring beloved characters, which add to the overall excitement. Dining options are diverse, with unique themed restaurants offering everything from sushi to sweet treats. Overall, USJ combines heart-pounding rides, beloved characters, and immersive experiences, making it a must-visit for families and movie lovers alike. Whether you’re exploring the attractions or enjoying a show, the joy and excitement are contagious, ensuring a memorable day filled with fun and adventure.

Whether you’re a theme park lover, movie fan, or just looking for a day of nonstop fun, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka is pure joy from start to finish. With thrilling rides, immersive worlds, and next-level creativity, USJ is easily one of the top attractions in Japan — and for good reason!🤍🎊🌤️ ⸻ What Makes USJ So Special? From the moment you walk in, you’re swept into a world of movie magic and pop culture icons. The park is super clean, organized, and bursting with excitement. 🎬 ⸻ 1. Super Nintendo World – A Gamer’s Dream Come True Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom! 🍄 • Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge puts you inside the game in a 4D AR race! • Collect coins, punch ? blocks, and explore Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s lair. • It’s vibrant, interactive, and full of nostalgic fun! (Tip: Arrive early or use timed entry!) ⏰ ⸻ 2. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Magic in Every Detail • Wander through Hogsmeade, sip on butterbeer, and cast spells with a wand! ⚡️🧙♂️ • Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — a stunning 3D broomstick adventure through Hogwarts! • The snow-covered village and Hogwarts Castle are breathtaking at night. ✨🏰 ⸻ 3. Hollywood Dream – The Ride (Backwards Option!) • Fast, smooth, and packed with good vibes. Ride it backwards for an extra thrill! 🎶🎢 • With themed music and city views, it’s a crowd favourite.❤️ 4. Despicable Me Minion Park & Other Must-Sees • Bright, chaotic, and adorable — Minion Park is a kid-friendly favorite! 💛 • Don’t miss The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jaws, and seasonal parades for even more fun! Top Tips for a Smooth Visit: ✅ Book tickets in advance to avoid queues ✅ Get an Express Pass for popular rides ✅ Arrive early to secure entry to Nintendo or Harry Potter areas ✅ Download the USJ app for live wait times & maps ✅ Try the famous turkey leg, butterbeer, and themed snacks throughout the park! 🍗🍺#osakatrip

#FamilyTravel 🎡 Take a trip to USJ Universal Studios Japan No Express Pass version Focus on waking up early, walking fast, being tough and patient 🎢 Let me explain first. Universal Studio Japan It is considered a theme park that is suitable for all ages. It is suitable for those who have energy. Universal Studio Japan has many rides. In particular, the Super Nintendo World zone It is a newly opened ride that is not yet available in any country. This means that everyone must definitely come to play in this zone. Therefore, there is a limited number of rounds and reservations must be made via the App only. Therefore, if anyone uses the Express Pass, they will definitely have time to enter the rides in this zone. 🎠 But, but we are budget travelers (No Express Pass). How can we get in? Let's follow along. 1️⃣ First of all, you have to wake up early. No matter where you stay or which hotel you stay in, arriving at the USJ gate as early as possible is the first choice you have to make. It is recommended to arrive at the gate before 7 am only!! ❗️Note: You can only bring in a small bag. Those with large luggage must leave them in the locker and are not allowed to bring food or snacks in. You can only bring 1 bottle of drinking water per person. 2️⃣ The door that scans the ticket will open before the actual opening time. Which may open at different times each day. The day we went was a Thursday in March. It opened at around 7.14 am. After opening, scan the ticket. We walked quickly, heading to the Super Nintendo World zone. Don't be afraid of getting lost, just follow everyone. Because everyone is heading in the same direction. 3️⃣ Don't stop to take pictures yet. Go and queue for the ride first. Queue without having to reserve a time. This is the advantage of coming early in the morning. It took us less than half an hour. We were able to play Mario Kart. It was so much fun. 4️⃣ We can stay in this zone all day because there are other rides. Go and queue for Yoshi and Donkey Kong and then come out. Come and take pictures. ❗️ Note: If you come out of the Super Nintendo World zone, you can't go back in. Because you have to queue to reserve from the App only to be able to enter. So think carefully before leaving this zone. 5️⃣ When we have finished playing, we can leave the zone to play in another zone. You can continue, but every place, every zone has a long queue of 1-2 hours. It is no different. Physical strength must be really tough and patient. 🔅Because remember (we do not have an Express Pass) 6️⃣ We can stay in USJ all day and night until it closes, as long as we still have energy. But we stayed until around 4-5 pm, then went back to Osaka to find something to eat. ‼️P.S. Finally, if you have enough money, buy an Express Pass. It saves your knees and legs. In queuing, it is the best. 🥹🥹😂😂 #usj #universalstudiojapan #HolidayTravelPlan #TravelPlanShare #TravelPlan #JapanTravelPlan #TravelJapanByYourself #TravelOsaka #Osaka #osaka #japan #Japan #TravelJapan

Please book your entry ticket and express pass in advance. We bought our express pass on the day and it's triple the price 😢 reason to have an express pass is to save ur time from queue for the famous attractions such as Harry Potter and the Nintendo. It's worth it, trust me. Please also manage ur time properly to be able to ride all ur preferable rides. After all, all the money is worth it to spent cs we spent less time for queueing. Time is precious to enjoy in Japan so save ur time.

Review of entering USJ, Super Nintendo World Zone or Mario and Donkey Kong Zone. Starting from the morning, we left our accommodation in Kuromon Ichiba Market area at 6:00 AM to arrive at the park before 7:00 AM. On the way, I recommend that you stop by to buy breakfast and drinks to eat while waiting in line to enter. We arrived at around 6:50 AM. There were a lot of people in line as shown in the picture. It took about 1 hour to stand and wait until the tickets were scanned to enter the park. *** Very important for friends who did not buy express tickets, download the USJ app and add friends to the trip. When everyone has scanned the tickets at the entrance, hurry to the Mario zone. Don't stop anywhere first. We will be able to enter the zone without having to reserve a queue to enter. When we ran in, Let's hurry and line up to play the Mine Cart ride first. We arrived at around 8:30 AM. It said the wait was 170 minutes. We got to play at around 9:50 AM. The line was very long. But along the way, for those who bought Brand, there are points to collect points along the way. Let me tell you that the rides are very fun. It's worth the wait. *** While waiting for the rides, go back to the USJ app and have your friends press to reserve a queue to enter this zone again in the afternoon. So that we can come back to this zone for the 2nd round to collect details and take pictures. Now we can play all the rides in this zone without having to pay more. #usj #supernintendoworldjapan

Mario Kart ~ Bowser's Challenge ~ This is a Mario attraction in the Super Nintendo World area of ​​Universal Studios Japan 🍄 You can put on 3D goggles and enjoy the Mario Kart game while riding! It's a real Mario Kart 🏎️ As you can see in the photo, the queue is also worth seeing because of the huge amount of exhibits...! The game is quite difficult, and it takes time to get used to looking through the goggles. Just when you think you've gotten used to it, it's over 😂 But it was an exhilarating ride and I had a lot of fun 👍 #Spring0yentrip #Osaka #Osakatrip #usj #MarioKart

It was fun to be in USJ to experience the fun down there. We went on 11th April 2024. The weather was a little bit bad (as the whole day is cloudy and dark and was rain at 6pm) but we were still enjoying the theme park. For roller coaster lover, I think the flying Dinarsour is awesome. You will regret if u didn't manage to enter Super Mario World!!! Please please please march to there as your 1st itinery! #travel #couplestrip #usj

○Areas/Rides ・As long as you enter the Nintendo area, you can enter the Donkey Area. ・You are instructed to leave large luggage in a locker before the ride. There is no place to put small luggage, so you leave it under the ride. ・Basically no luggage check, and you check the safety bar yourself, so it's quick when it's your turn. ・You will get wet (no need for a raincoat) *You might need a raincoat on rainy days. ・It was drizzling, but I was driving. ・You will be asked to remove your headgear and muffler. ・Singles are lined up indoors, so it's warm. ・The time for Donkey's greeting is undecided. It may be canceled if it rains. Staff will take two photos. ・There are no toilets in the Donkey Area. ・You can get a Mario admission ticket even if you show up 30 minutes before your reservation. ○Time schedule *Only single riders board 5:24 Arrived at Universal City Station The 5th car will be the car in front of the ticket gate stairs 5:29 In front of Universal Studios Japan Security I'm in the 5th row from the front, but there are people in every row 7:00 Start 7:05 Arrived at Donkey Area (free admission) 7:07 1st session No waiting time 7:17 2nd session No waiting time 7:40 3rd session Waited about 15 minutes 8:15 4th session Waited about 30 minutes Break 8:40 Obtained numbered ticket for 13:40 area 9:30 Donkey greeting starts 14:40 5th session Waited 60 minutes #UniversalStudiosJapan #UniversalStudiosJapan #DonkeyKongCountry #Donkey #Mario #SuperNintendoWorld #NintendoArea #usj

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck Address: Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan Atmosphere/Location: The ride is located in the Super Nintendo World zone, which realistically simulates the world of Mario, surrounded by bright colors, music from the game, and details that make you feel like you've really entered the Mario game. Highlights: The Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge ride is an AR (Augmented Reality) ride combined with a semi-realistic track. Players will wear AR glasses and drive a go-kart along the racing track, while using items such as turtle shells and bananas to attack their opponents, just like in the game. The perspective and effects that appear through the AR glasses make you feel like you're actually racing on the track. Entry: You must have a Timed Entry Ticket to enter Super Nintendo World. Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Fun, exciting, and realistic, perfect for Mario fans and those who like interactive rides.

🍄 Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge 🍄 📍Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031 Japan 🏖️Environment: This is a ride in the Mario zone of Universal Studios Japan. It is a 3D VR game where people sit on a car, wear glasses, and shoot to collect points on the screen. If you enter the Mario zone, you should come to queue for this ride first because the waiting time for each round is up to 90 minutes. If you don't want to wait long, it is recommended to buy an Express ticket. 🕰️bOpening hours: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. #triptravelasia #mariokart #usj2024 #universalstudiosjapan #mariozoneusj #universalstudiosjapan #osakaamusementpark #osakatravel #japantravel