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A common question in my Japan planning group when people ask about visiting the Tokyo Disney parks or USJ is ‘Why would you waste a day in Japan going to an ‘American import.’ My answer is – you’re not ‘wasting’ a day! And here’s why…
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
1. Seeing a Different Side to the Japanese
This is the main reason why I don’t think a day at the Japanese parks is wasted. The Japanese have a reputation for being quite straight-laced and serious, but at the parks this goes completely out of the window (okay, not quite as much as at the Poop Museum in Odaiba, but it’s a start).
While the US Parks are full of enthusiasm (coming from a highly reserved British person), the Japanese parks are full of joy and glee – people are genuinely amazed by things they see there, and you’ll hear cries of ‘sugoi,’ which means amazing on many rides. I love seeing this side of the Japanese people.
2. Exposure to Japanese Pop Culture
The people who tend to criticise those for going to Disney instead of experiencing ‘Japanese culture’ seem to forget that Japan didn’t stop evolving in the Edo Period.
There is more to it than temples, shrines and old buildings.
There’s a multi-billion-dollar anime culture that is explored heavily by the local ride overlays at USJ (not to mention the dining and merchandise), and don’t forget that Nintendo is a Japanese company, so, by visiting Super Nintendo World, you’re not visiting a ‘US import’ at all, but a Japanese brand on home turf!
Disney does tend to stick to the characters you know and love; but the emphasis is different in Japan. Duffy and friends rule the roost – while he’s more under the radar in the US parks.
The characters wandering the park can also be different. This does have a downside, though – Eyeore is far too underrepresented in the Tokyo Parks (IMHO).
3. Proximity
Many of the people criticising others for going to the Japanese theme parks live with the US parks on their doorstep. If you live in Australia or New Zealand, Japan is a lot closer and cheaper than Los Angeles is – and a darn sight closer than Florida, why shouldn’t you visit it?
4. It’s a Mental Refresh
If you haven’t guessed, I love Japan – the old bits and the new bits, but I have to admit that after a couple of weeks, many of the shrines, temples and streets lined with old wooden buildings can start to look the same.
I look back at some of my pictures from trips a few years ago and have to check the date to see which city I took them in, as it can all blur into one – and this doesn’t just happen years afterwards. If all you’re seeing is shrines, temples and cute streets, you can easily get templed out and forget to start paying attention to what you’re seeing.
Visiting Tokyo Disney or USJ in the middle of your trip can create a mental reset, allowing you to return to seeing the traditional side of Japan with fresh, enthusiastic eyes.
Don’t kid yourself that it’s a physical reset as well, though, you’ll easily do 20,000 steps a day in the parks – if not more.
5. The Magic
As I’m based in Australia, I haven’t been to the US parks for a long time (see the note re proximity), but I’ve heard people say that the Tokyo parks are like going back in time with regards to staff friendliness (I’m sure they must do arm training to spend so long waving), park cleanliness and other issues that add magic.
But, for me, it’s the other guests that make it really special.
The Japanese parks are visited mostly by local guests, and I love some of the special touches they bring to the park – like the matching outfits (and the fantastic shoes).
When I was here at Halloween, I was blown away by the quality of the costuming at the Disney parks. The three ladies below aren’t cast members – they’re just three ladies (in their 60s at a guess) having a fun day in the park (sadly, I have to blur their faces).
Even on a normal day, I can’t help but love the regular visitors who know all the dances for the shows and parades, or who queue up for parades surrounded by an army of plushies.
Once, I was standing in the queue to Splash Mountain in Tokyo behind a group of teenage boys. I admit my main thought was ‘oh no’ – but not only were they unfailingly polite (and all wearing matching fluffy hats) when the steam train went past, they all waved.
And it’s little touches like that that make visiting the Japanese parks magical to me.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
6. The Totally Different Rides
Okay, the above are all general reasons for visiting the parks, so now let’s get down to park-specific reasons why you’re not wasting your time visiting Disney or USJ on your Japan trip.
Even if you live a 10-minute drive from Orlando or Anaheim, you’ll have a different experience at the Tokyo Disney Parks because there are rides there you won’t find anywhere else; The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Baymax, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Monster’s Inc at Disneyland. Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventures, Raging Spirits, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull and Journey to the Center of the Earth at DisneySea are unique to the Japanese parks.
USJ has more crossover with rides than the US, especially now that Epic Universe is open, but they do add a local spin with VR overlays featuring popular anime franchises.
Don’t Forget to Buy Your Studio Pass
Everyone who visits USJ needs to buy a Studio Pass. You can buy a simple one that lets you into the park, or, if you buy them early, you might find the Klook special that also includes Super Nintendo World. Tickets are now released two months before the date you want to enter the park, so, check if they’re available now for your dates.
7. The Old Favourites
Right now at Tokyo Disney, they still have the old versions of Splash Mountain and the less PC version of Pirates of the Caribbean (for better or worse), which will inject a sense of nostalgia into your day.
At USJ, you can still ride JAWS, which is always fun.
8. The Prices
‘I’ve gone nuts in the gift shop, everything is so cheap,’ said the message from my friend Helen, who spends a lot of time at Disney and Universal parks around the world (see her on Instagram), on her recent trip to DisneySea.
Disney park tickets are cheaper than in the US, according to Helen, merchandise is cheaper than in the US, and I just booked a room for Toy Story Hotel for next April, which cost me AU$400 a night (US$256) – Art of Animation for the same night is a whopping AU$1108 (US$736).
Admittedly, USJ does not run quite so budget-friendly, especially if you’re buying Express Passes! I think my last visit was the most expensive day out I’ve ever had, as we had two sets of Express Passes!
Related Read: How much does it cost to visit USJ, and how much does it cost to visit the Tokyo Disney Parks
Don’t Forget to Buy Your Disney Tickets
If you’re within two months of your trip, why not order them now so it’s done? Unlike the Disney site, Klook takes all foreign credit cards. Plus, if you’re buying other tours or tickets, add the code JAPLANEASEKLOOK at checkout and you could save up to 10 per cent.
T&Cs apply; Tokyo Disney tickets and USJ tickets are not available for discounts.
9. You Do You!
And this is the most important tip of all. We don’t all like the same things in this life. Your trip to Japan is no less important if you don’t set foot in a temple and spend all your time embracing the Japanese Disney parks. It’s your vacation. Spend it how you like.
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, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.
