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This is one of the things that confuses people most about visiting Universal Studios Japan so, we decided to make a very simple guide to the five different ways you can get into Super Nintendo World at USJ.
Quick Summary
Even if you buy a main entry ticket to Universal Studios Japan (called the Studio Pass), this doesn’t allow you to enter the newest area, Super Nintendo World.
Because this is so popular USJ limits the amount of people who can enter in one go via a system called Timed Entry. To get in, you either need to get to SNW before timed entry starts – or, book a timed entry slot. You can do this once you’re in the park, or buy tickets or passes that include it.
The post that follows explains the 5 ways you can do all of the above. It explains exactly how each method works including how likely you are to get into SNW using them.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Free Ways to Get into SNW
There are two completely free ways to get into Super Nintendo World (once you’ve bought your Studio Pass of course!). They are the most risky and you can’t guarantee they will work.
1. Arrive VERY Early
If you are one of the first few people through the gates at USJ, you can head straight to the Super Nintendo World to try and get in before they start timed entry for the day.
Exactly what time this begins varies by how busy the park is so, once in, do not deviate from your mission.
The thing that makes this even more risky is that you don’t know exactly what time USJ is going to open on a given day. They might say 9 am but the gates can open anything from about 8 am onwards, meaning you need to be in the queue by about 7 am to try and get this to work.
It’s risky, but, you can be lucky.
2. Use the App
If you’re not at the front of the queue, or a bit less agile, the other free option is to get there early – and try and get a timed entry on the app.
You do this by scanning your ticket into the app as soon as you enter the park, then selecting ‘SNW timed entry.’ How fast the entry slots disappear depends on how busy the park is, some days they might all be gone in an hour, and on other days there might be no issues with getting one later.
On my last trip, I walked in at 3 pm on a rainy Sunday afternoon and got a slot for 6 pm so, don’t assume it’s not going to happen.
If you’re not that bothered about getting into see Mario, simply try this whenever you arrive – but, if you’re going to USJ specifically for Super Nintendo World, and want to use this method I’d arrive before the park gates officially open to maximize your chances. Fingers crossed.
Cheap and Less Risky
Buy a Ticket With Early Entry
The success of the first two methods increases if you are among the first guests through the gates – and, to maximize your chance of this there is a ticket you can buy that lets you into the park 15 minutes earlier than other guests.
It’s called the Early Entry + 1-Day Studio Pass and you can buy it on Klook. It costs just AU$28 more than a normal studio pass.
It does sell out, so, if you want to try and get one, make sure you start looking on the day tickets go on sale which is 2 months before the day you want to go to the park.
As with normal entry, Early Entry does mean being in the queue well before the official opening time, but even if they open the gates to everyone early you will still be the first ones let in which maximizes your chances of getting to SNW before timed entry starts, or, getting an entry on the app.
Cheap But Guaranteed
Buy a Studio Pass with SNW Entry
If you’re going to the park solely for Super Nintendo World this is the cheapest way to make sure you don’t miss out.
It’s a ticket called Super Nintendo World + 1 Day Pass, which you’ll find on Klook. This gets you a Studio Pass to enter the park but also gives you a guaranteed timed entry to Super Nintendo World. It costs around A$30 more than a simple Studio Pass.
The tickets aren’t always available, USJ decides when they are going to issue them, and they get bought fast so, if you see them on Klook for your date, snap it up.
If they are available, they will be on this page. You’ll definitely want to try for these exactly 2 months to the day you want to visit.
One important thing to note is that you can’t choose the time for your SNW entry with this ticket so, make sure you can be at the park all day just in case you get a late slot.
Guaranteed – but More Expensive
Buy an Express Pass
The way most people guarantee their entry to Super Nintendo World is to buy an Express Pass. These are passes that get you to the front of the queue for some of USJ’s most popular rides – and, if you pick one that includes at least one of the two rides in Super Nintendo World – Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge or Yoshi’s Adventure, then you also get a timed entry to Super Nintendo World.
You can buy Express Passes from Klook, or directly from the USJ app – each option has its pros and cons, but in a nutshell – USJ doesn’t always accept foreign credit cards but lets you choose the time you go on the rides. Klook takes all the foreign credit cards (which is why we use Klook links here), but, ride times and SNW Timed Entry are allocated for you – so make sure you can stay in the park all day as you won’t find out your time until after you’ve booked.
We go over these Pros and Cons in more detail in our post on the options for buying USJ Tickets.
Express Passes can make a big difference to how much you enjoy your day at USJ, especially if you want to go on all the thrill rides as the big crowds at USJ mean some of them regularly have queues of 90-120 minutes. I don’t think I waited more than 20 minutes for any ride all day using my Express Passes.
If you’re not sure if you really want one (or need one), or which one to buy have a look at our guide to who might need an Express Pass which breaks it down by type of traveler.
If you already think it’s the right choice, then, you can buy Express Pass 4’s – which let you jump the queue on four rides. Select one that clearly states it has entry to Super Nintendo World.
Or, if you want access to more rides, you need an Express Pass 7 – these let you ride seven popular rides with less queuing. Again, make sure a Super Nintendo World timed entry is included in whichever one you buy.
Lastly, don’t forget you can’t get into Universal Studios Japan just with an Express Pass. It’s an add-on to the main entry ticket so, make sure to also buy your Studio Pass. I’ve seen a few people caught out by this one.
So, that’s the quick and easy guide to getting into Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. If you do have more questions then head over to our Facebook Group and I, or one of the other 8k+ members, will help.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan five times before- solo and with my partner – and I’ve just returned from trip six in June 2023. So, everything here is pretty up to date.
