Have you missed out on Express Tickets or just want to know more about Universal Studios Japan Studio VIP Passes? Here’s an easy beginner’s guide!
What are Universal Studios Japan VIP Tours or Passes?
A Universal Studios Japan (USJ) VIP Pass is the next step up from the USJ Express Pass in both expense and features. It gives you the opportunity to have a very special experience at Universal Studios Japan! Led by a dedicated USJ Tour guide, your group get to enjoy special VIP privileges such as a separate VIP entry and lounge, access to restricted areas, special character meet-and-greets plus being led straight to the front of popular rides!
Where should I buy USJ VIP Passes?
Recommended: Buy your Universal Studios Japan VIP tickets through official sellers designed for international purchasers like Klook, KKDay and Trip . These are the best websites to find English Speaking VIP Tour Passes. Always check for the tour guide language stated – Chinese and Japanese speaking Tours are also available.
What happens on a USJ VIP Tour?
As a VIP Tour member you can enter Universal Studios Japan via the special VIP entrance and have access to a special VIP Lounge thirty minutes prior to the start time of your VIP Tour. You may enjoy cool drinks in the lounge, meet your Tour Guide and even take bottles of water from the lounge with you on your VIP Tour.
During your VIP Tour you will skip a certain number of ride queues – even faster than the Express Pass priority queue ticket holders – and see behind-the-scenes short cut passageways. You may also take part in games and special character meet-and-greets. Depending upon the price and length of the tour a meal may be included, sometimes inside Kinopios inside Super Nintendo World, sometimes inside a VIP restaurant. Others may include restaurant discount vouchers.
Does the VIP Tour Guide only speak Japanese?
No, there are options. A Chinese, Japanese or English speaking tour guide is pre-assigned to each tour. Take special note of the language listed on the VIP Tour you are buying.
You are usually able to make language requests on the KKDay bookings pre-form, and often even Japanese speaking guides can speak limited English. You can join a Japanese VIP Tour, regardless – even if you don’t speak Japanese. (Japanese VIP Tours are available on USJ Japan website for residents within Japan)
What is the difference between Private and Group VIP Tours?
There are two main types of Universal Studios Japan VIP tours –
Private USJ VIP tours – where you buy it out for a private party (minimum of four, or you pay for four places even if you are only two). The most expensive USJ Private VIP Tour can be found on KKDay here.
Group USJ VIP Tours – where groups of around 10-12 mixed people or families (unknown to each other) do the tour together.
How long are USJ VIP Tours?
VIP Tours include 3, 5 and 8 hour tours, and are often limited in availability. Tours can start in the morning or afternoon.
What happens during a 3 hour USJ VIP Tour?
The basic format of a 3 hour USJ VIP Tour itinerary is that you do four rides once with your tour guide during the tour. You are also given three or four ride Express Passes to use before or after the tour. Express Passes are good for one ride use. They give you access to the priority lane of a USJ ride which allows you to skip most of the queue.
A Super Nintendo World 3 hour VIP Tour may typically include one ride on:
- Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness
- Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
- Yoshi’s Adventure
- Jaws
You can see a Super Nintendo World 3 hour VIP Tour on KKDay here.
What else do you get with a 5 or 8 hour VIP Tour?
With the 5 or 8 hour VIP Tour you get rides during the tour plus an unlimited ride pass for use before and/or after your VIP Tour. Meal/s will also be included.
What do I get on a Private VIP Tour?
Your own private guide will help you design a fully customised and tailored Universal Studios Japan tour including priority access to the rides of your choice, special character meet-and-greets plus exclusive dining opportunities at the Luminant VIP Private Lounge and Dining restaurant. 8 hour private tours include both lunch and dinner.
You can see the most expensive USJ VIP Tour on KKDay here.
When can I buy my USJ VIP tickets?
USJ VIP ticket releases can happen at the same time as the standard ticket release times, but their release time can vary. They are often released late or early. All you can do is keep a close watch on the websites in the weeks leading up to and after the date you want to buy your VIP Pass. Be warned that once they become available, some (particularly Klook VIP 3 hour tours) are often snapped up very quickly.
When do Universal Japan Tickets become available?
Currently, tickets release one day at a time, two months prior to the ticket date (one day before) at midnight Japan time. So, for example, if you wanted tickets for the 2nd of November, you would look at 12:01am Japan time on September the 1st, which is 2 months prior. Any updates to this process are always announced promptly in our Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here.
Where should I buy my USJ VIP Tour Passes?
Recommended: Buy your Universal Studios Japan VIP tickets through official sellers designed for international purchasers like Klook, KKDay and Trip . These are the best websites to find English Speaking VIP Tour Passes. Always check for the tour guide language stated – Chinese and Japanese speaking Tours are also available.
Buying Tips:
- Klook 3 hour VIP Passes sell very quickly and usually confirm promptly. They may offer 3 Express ride passes instead of 4 Express ride passes
- KKDay require a couple of hours to confirm your VIP Pass booking. As well as shorter VIP Tours they offer the most expensive VIP Tour – the 8 hour private USJ VIP Tour. They sometimes offer a VIP Tour which includes transportation to the theme park.
Note that KKDay also refer to a pre-tour information form during your VIP Tour application which actually only appears after your application is purchased, or upon request from the website support chat. - Trip dot com VIP Passes are usually more expensive than Klook and KKDay but often have more availability.
Universal Studios Japan VIP Pass FAQs
Do I need a Studio Pass if I have a VIP Pass?
Yes, you still need to buy a Studio Pass entrance ticket even if you have bought a VIP Pass.
Which USJ Ticket should I buy first?
As you may have difficulty buying the exact USJ VIP Pass date you want, it may be wise to buy your Studio Passes after you have secured your VIP Passes.
Where should I buy my Studio Passes?
You can buy your Universal Studios Japan Studio Passes easily from USJ, or the following websites designed for international purchasers – Klook, KKDay and Trip.
What is the difference between Express Passes and VIP Tour Passes?
Express Passes are one-use only ride passes sold in groups of 4 to 8 rides which you use independently around the theme park according to their stated time slots. You access rides via a priority laneway which bypasses most of the queue, but you still wait a short period.
VIP Tour Passes are actual guided tours which give you lots of extra benefits, plus priority access which takes you right to the front of the ride queue, bypassing even the Express Pass holders.
Can I arrive at USJ before my VIP Tour?
Yes, you can access USJ earlier than your VIP Tour and use the bonus passes you get as part of your VIP Tour Package providing it is during normal opening hours.
Are children allowed on a VIP tour?
Yes, children are allowed. Children cost the same price as adults. Children under the age of four are free. As per usual, children can only ride according to individual ride height or age ride restrictions.
Do you get unlimited rides on a VIP Tour?
You do get an unlimited ride pass for use all day after or before your 5 or 8 hour USJ VIP Tour, however you don’t get an unlimited ride pass with 3 hour VIP Tours – you are given individual one-use Express Passes.
Does a VIP Pass give you early entry to Universal Studios Japan?
No, a USJ VIP Pass does not give you early entry to Universal Studios Japan, but you do get to enter the theme park through a special VIP entry instead of waiting in the general queue.
Can I use parent ride swap during a USJ VIP Tour?
Not usually during a group VIP Tour as it takes more time, but it can be used on Private VIP Tours as the extra time needed doesn’t affect anyone other than your own group.
Check USJ VIP Tour availability here…
Universal Studios Japan Planning Facebook Group
Love all things Universal Studios Japan, or just have more questions? Join our 70k+ member Universal Studios Japan Holiday Planning Facebook Group here!
Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own USJ planning experiences!
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