Next up, my Universal Studios Japan adventure! This is my second Universal Studios; I’d been to Singapore, and I must say, the two are very distinct places (so if you can, do check them both!) You can’t compare because these two will give you a very unique and amazing experience! Of course, I’m excited to go to USJ because I’m a huge anime and manga fan, and there are attractions here that are based on anime, so yeah, can you feel my excitement?

We decided to stay in a hotel near USJ. We stayed in Oriental Hotel Universal City, which is almost right beside the Universal City station! When we arrived, I just couldn’t help feeling giddy, the neon lights of Universal City Walk greeted us, and all I was thinking was, “I’m here; it’s true; it’s not a daydream anymore!”

Anyway, after the buffet breakfast (which I implore you to avail of; the breakfast selection is divine!) we immediately walked to USJ, and the loud, lively sound just really invites you! There were tons of people walking to it! We went there Thursday morning, but every ride still had a bit of wait time (even if my companions had express passes). Compared to Disneyland HK, the lines were quick and short when we went there in January 2020 (maybe due to the political situation there at that time)! But that didn’t hinder me/us from enjoying the place to the fullest!

I think the fam will agree with me when I say that our most looked forward to ride was Nintendo World! As big Super Mario fans, we were so excited to see it! And it didn’t disappoint! It was wonderful, fun, colorful, and just overall fantastic! So many people were waiting, and we only got to ride it late afternoon!

While we waited for the attractions (since our hotel was just nearby, we allowed ourselves to remain until closing time), we rode other rides. As a huge JJK fan, I wouldn’t miss out on Jujutsu Kaisen! The 4D cinema and me sitting in front, with Gojo super close! Again in 4D?! Fangirl moment locked in my core memory!

Since I’m not a big fan of wild rides (rollercoasters) as a queasy adult, I enjoyed my time in Wonderland (we had a 3-year-old on tow), and that Snoopy ride, gosh, so cuuute!

We had a few rides that we didn’t get to explore, especially around the Hollywood section (the Minions guys!). But like I said earlier, we stayed until closing time! So we got to experience lots of them!

I think this is my favorite amusement park to date! I’ve visited three international amusement parks so far, but staff in USJ are super duper nice; like, so ✨️ NICE ✨️ (not that the other theme parks’ staff aren’t, THEY ARE! THEY ARE ALSO REALLY NICE! But USJ staff are just saccharine nice! It’s so cute!) They wave at you; smile at you, their patience is superb (especially in Wonderland with mostly young children). My nephew and I were waiting in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter because he was not allowed yet and I don’t do rollercoasters  (even tamer ones), so we were at the entrance waiting and the young staff was entertaining my nephew! Later that night, we left my other nephew’s puffer jacket on one of the benches inside the park (we were already out of the park!); the staff immediately found it, and get this: they threw confetti on us and even gave us stickers! The staff really was the best thing there! Amazing!

This has gotten longer, but y’all, I really won’t forget this experience! One for the books! Next, Osaka City tour~ Stay tuned!