Purchase USJ Studio and Express Pass Online Guide!

Here is a step by step guide for all those out there wanting to purchase USJ Studio Pass and Express Pass Online. If you only wish to Purchase Express Pass online, please see my other guide here.

STEP 1:

For Studio Passes, click the first box – this should be automatically highlighted when you enter the page. It would have the words “スタジオパス” on it. This means “Studio Pass”.

Your window should look like this. Below, there is what seems like a calendar icon on a button. Clicking on that will open a new window.

---

STEP 2: 

A calendar should open like above. On the top is the year and month that you’re currently viewing (in the guide’s case, 2015 of April), along with [next month] button on the right.

Below it you will see the different dates you’re looking at. Boxes that are white with blue boxes mean that the date is still available for booking, whereas grey out boxes mean that you cannot book it online anymore (usually meaning that you have to purchase in Japan, not that it’s sold out).

A purple star represents days where the Starlight Parade is performing. However, do take note that usually the Starlight Parade performs almost nightly – but the schedule doesn’t come out until a later period. So it isn’t strange to not see a star if you’re booking 3 months in advance, only to have it appear at a later time. Also, rain and bad weather may affect the parade’s schedule, so don’t bother too much about it! The timings in the various boxes show the opening and closing time of USJ on the day that you are booking.

After you have decided what day you wish, click on the blue button to continue. Once that is selected, you will be brought back to the previous page. Click on the yellow button to continue.

---

STEP 3:

On the next page, it will give you a summary of the day you have chosen, along with the types of passes valid during that period of time. Here is an example – please note that there are more types than what is shown above.

I have translated a few, please click to view larger versions. My translations are in red. Please double check this against your selection by checking the Katakana.

Once you have decided, (in the case of this guide, I will select a 1 day studio pass), click on the yellow button with the cart on the right side.

---

STEP 4:

Now, you will have to choose the METHOD of delivery. The page will show you your previous selection, as well as the date you have chosen. Scroll down till you see this:

[5 December 2015] UPDATE: As of today, I am told that due to resellers and 3rd party auction sites, DIRECT IN (as below) is no longer an option available for STUDIO PASSES – DIRECT IN for EXPRESS PASSES seem to still be available. As such, the only options available now would be to do a park exchange.

For those who are apprehensive about the Park Exchange manner, it is strongly suggested that you simply purchase the Express Pass separately – as you can buy the Studio Passes while you are in Japan directly from USJ. Do note that I did read somewhere that on busy days they do stop selling passes momentarily, so you want to get there early – the last thing you want to happen is not being able to use your express pass because you don’t have a studio pass!

As in the image above, you will be given 3 choices. Basically:

• [ダイレクトイン]Direct In – QR codes will be issued immediately after purchase. You can print out a copy, or save it on your phone. Please print as well, in case your phone doesn’t work on the day, you still have a spare copy. Remember not to fold it along the QR lines, as that may affect the reading as well. (THIS IS CURRENTLY NO LONGER VALID – as I’m not sure if this is a temporary or permanent solution, I have chosen not to remove this content yet)
• [パーク…] Park Exchange – exchange your pass at the park. You will require your credit card (the one used to make this purchase) as well as telling the counter staff “WEB purchase”. Note – you will probably have to be there earlier as you would need to queue to exchange now. Hopefully they re-implement the Direct In method soon…
• [宅配] Home Delivery – deliver it to your home. Please note that this is not available for hotels. Shipping costs are also not included at this point (Y450)

---

STEP 5:

Now, you choose the number of studio passes you require.

• 大人［12歳以上］refers to adults 12 and above
• 子ども［4〜11歳］refers to children between 4 to 11
• シニア［65歳以上］ refers to elderly 65 and above.

Please note that for children, the Japanese school year starts on the 1^st of April. If your child is admitted into Junior High in that year (meaning he turns 12 that year), he will be considered an adult if he is entering the park on April 1^st or later. Between January 1^st to March 31^st, he will still be considered a child and is eligible for child pass.

Select the number of sheets (number of studio passes) you want per category, and click the yellow box at the bottom to add to cart.

[Stop here if you only wish to purchase Studio Pass, and proceed to the Payment Guide. Continue if you wish to purchase Express Pass with Studio Pass].

---

STEP 6:

If you wish to purchase an Express Pass, continue on. You will see something like the above image. Once again, my translations in red. Again, I must stress to double check the Katakana in the screen shot against the website, as they will add passes time to time, and I’ve only captured the basics. Click on the grey box if you wish to know more (though it’s in Japanese). Once you’ve decided, click on the yellow box with the cart next to the appropriate choice.

---

STEP 7:

Similarly, you’re given the choice of Direct In or Home Delivery. I’ll copy and paste the information in case some of you guys joined halfway and didn’t read the top.

• [ダイレクトイン] Direct In – QR codes will be issued immediately after purchase. You can print out a copy, or save it on your phone. Please print as well, in case your phone doesn’t work on the day, you still have a spare copy. Remember not to fold it along the QR lines, as that may affect the reading as well.
• [宅配] Home Delivery – deliver it to your home. Please note that this is not available for hotels. Shipping costs are also not included at this point (Y450)

As advised previously, I recommend Direct In, as it is super convenient. However, select whichever method you prefer and continue scrolling down.

---

STEP 8:

Now, you select the number of express passes you want. There is no difference between adults or kids here, so just the number you wish to purchase and continue scrolling down.

---

STEP 9:

Now, this is the tricky part. FIRST, DISCLAIMER. This is only eligible for those who have selected passes that are valid for the Harry Potter area. If you have selected other passes, you probably will not see this section. Skip if so. For those who have selected Express Passes that allow you to book your slots for Harry Potter area, this part is for you.

On the drop down menu, select the time that you wish to ENTER the AREA. This is not the time you will take the ride. The ride timing will usually be approximately 15minutes after your entrance time. It’s okay to be a little earlier, in my experience.

To see the timings, click here. (this is the same link as the one in the box below the dropdown menu)

First column (in dark blue) explains the entrance timing.

For example, 8:50 ~ 9:50 means you can enter anytime from 8:50am to 9:50am. There will be a signboard telling you what time admissions they are currently taking. But to re-enter, you will need to re-queue. Your express pass will not cover it. The 2^nd column

The 2^nd column (i.e. 8:50 ~) tells you that you can spend time inside anytime FROM that period of time, as long as you don’t exit. Meaning to say that once you enter, you’re free until you choose to exit.

The 3^rd column (i.e. 9:00~9:15) is the time that you must join the queue to ride the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Once again, there is a signboard next to it telling you what time is available for entrance. Do not join the normal queue – the express pass queue is different. Ask if you are not sure.

Once you have chosen your time, click on the cart box at the bottom to continue.

Once that is done, you have added both Studio Pass and Express Pass to cart. On the top right, you can click the cart to confirm your purchases.

Go to the Payment Guide to continue.

---

Sidenote: Please note that if you use auto-translate for your browsers, this page will have an error. You will not be able to select the time. Make sure that you’ve turned off auto translate – refresh the page if you have to by choosing a different number of sheets for the express pass and then changing it back.]

---