- Tokyo to Kawaguchiko: Is the Train or Bus Better? - 23 July 2026
- How to Try Kintsugi on Your Japan Trip - 21 July 2026
- 12 Places to Stop Between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka - 19 July 2026
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days of the year to visit USJ, and one reason is their evening countdown – as they go large! And the run-up to midnight on December 31st 2024, is no exception. Here’s what you need to know about the USJ NO LIMIT! Countdown 2025…
The park claims that the special event will pack a year’s worth of entertainment into one night—and while that might be pushing it a bit, the park is open for a whopping 26 hours once the event starts! That’s right, you could stay in the park from 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve until 9 p.m. January 1st.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Admittedly, the part of our brain that remembers that sleep is actually needed for healthy human function suggests doing so might not be the best idea you’ve ever had, but the good news is that this is one time of the year when USJ says they officially offer pass-outs, so you can come and go as many times as you like during the 26 hours of the event.
When Will Tickets for the Event Go on Sale?
This is very important.
NO LIMIT! Countdown 2025 is a separately ticketed event.
A normal Studio Pass for December 31st will not cover it. In fact, the park will close to Studio Pass holders at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
To attend the countdown, you will need a separate ticket called a ‘Party Pass’—and I’ll be honest: As an international guest, I’m not sure how good our chances will be for grabbing one.
The first Party Passes will be allocated via lottery, which is only open to those residing in Japan.
Anything left from the lottery will be sold at Lawson stores in Japan between Nov 1st and 13th. Again, this can be tricky to access if you don’t live in Japan.
The good news is, since I first wrote this, Klook have announced they will sell the Party Pass on Nov 1 too. They go on sale at midday Japanese time.
The event is immensely popular. It will sell out.
There are Different Packages Available
The Basic Party Pass starts at 15,400 yen, but many packages are available. To go into all of them in detail is a book, so, check exact details on the event page, but in a nutshell.
The basic Party Pass gets you into the park, lets you ride the rides and you’ll be able to see the Countdown Event shows and fireworks.
The next upgrades get you into the park and event and access to a special stage viewing area for shows early in the evening or closer to the midnight countdown.
You can also choose Party Passes with Express Pass style entry to 3 specific rides – there are six different combinations of these.
The next most expensive ticket combines your Party Pass, Express-style ride access and a selection of different viewing areas for the Countdown and fireworks.
For a little more cash, you can also get a similar deal as the above, with various types of meals included.
The most expensive tickets are the VIP Experiences. These include a Party Pass, a special viewing area for the fireworks and countdown and a VIP tour. These are sold as a package for four people.
Not all types of tickets will be available by the time tickets go on sale to the general public, so if you do want to try to snag one, make sure you have a few options planned out.
Can You Still Go to USJ as a Normal Ticket Holder At This Time?
Yes — but as I mentioned above, if you only hold a Studio Pass, you must leave the park by 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
The park is also closed to everyone between 5-7pm, so if you were planning to go for the day on a Studio Pass, then pick up a Party Pass for the Countdown, you’ll need to find somewhere to go for those two hours.
An interesting little quirk, though, is if you have tickets for January 1st, 2025. Studio Passes on this day will be valid from 2 a.m., so you could be in the park from the early hours until 9 p.m. that day—although it will be BUSY.
Normally, you don’t need to worry too much about buying Studio Passes super early, but if you’re going on January 1st, the novelty of the long opening hours might see them selling out earlier than normal, so I’d definitely book in advance via USJ, or you can get them from Klook.
Because the crowds will be big, this is also one period I’d definitely suggest an Express Pass.
What Can You Expect at the Countdown Event?
All the regular USJ rides will be up and running, and all areas will be open. However, a disclaimer states that Super Nintendo World will close for maintenance at some point during the event (last year, it was between 2 a.m. and 6.30 a.m.).
You will still need to apply for a timed entry via the app or a relevant Express Pass to get into Super Nintendo World during the 26 hours the park is open – and only one access per person will be available during that time.
As for New Year’s Eve-specific events.
Between 7.10 pm and 12.15 pm, the Gramercy Park area will be home to a performance stage that will showcase the best entertainment in the park over the last year.
Expect snippets of the One Piece show, performances from the shows at Halloween Horror Nights and the NO LIMIT! Summer Dance Night with HYBE Japan. Plus all your favorite characters will make an appearance.
At 11.50, the Countdown Event itself begins over the Gramercy Park lagoon. This will include a fireworks display containing around 4000 fireworks, lighting effects music and more.
Once it’s over, you can continue to enjoy the park until it’s time to fall asleep.
So there you have it—the quick summary of what’s going on at Universal Studios Japan on New Year’s Eve 2024/2025.
As with so many things in Japan, getting a ticket if you’re not a local resident does feel a little ‘may the odds be ever in your favour’ but, if you can get one, it will be a fun night (and day) in the park. Do expect immense crowds though. It is the busiest day of the year for the park.
All images from the USJ Press Department.
