Day #2 – Our Day Trip To Universal Studios Japan
We spent the whole of our second day of our Osaka Trip at Universal Studios Japan. Get all the latest updates on Rides and Shops here.
Download this WaitingTime For USJ Android App (quite accurate and not too sure about iOS) if you want to keep track of the waiting time for most of the rides there. Bring an UV Umbrella as well to shield you from the sun while queuing up.
The Attractions & Rides We Took And Our Experiences
#1 – Monster Hunter World (2+ Hours Of Queue)
This was basically a Virtual Reality (VR) Game of which you would be given a handheld equipment upon entry and this handheld equipment would evolved to become a Long Sword, Gun or a Bow with certain arm gestures.
You would be required to stand in certain boxes in the room with a group of 6 people and photographs would be taken at certain stages. You will get to see your evolved weapons in the photo and this could be downloaded later for free or you could have it printed.
Most of the explanations were in Japanese so we did not know how or what to react. It seems like we have to fight some monsters but there were no signs of interaction between our weapons and the monsters on screen. Most of what we did was to blindly follow the crew. Do give this a miss if you do not understand Japanese.
#2 – Backdraft (1 Hour of Queue)
If you like Fire and Explosions, go for this show. It’s basically a walk through 4 different rooms where they talked (in Japanese) about Backdraft, Firefighting and Chemical Explosions.
The first two rooms were just scenes and lights. The last two rooms were a bit more impressive as they burnt up the room and you could feel the heat and smell the gas. The last room would give you a shock especially if you are standing at the left or right of the stage.
As like the Monster Hunter World, we did not understand a single thing except being herded from room to room for this. Would suggest to skip this if you do not understand Japanese.
#3 – The Amazing Adventures of Spider-man – The Ride 4K3D (1+ Hour of Queue)
Before you get to go on the ride, join the queue and you get to see the insides of Daily Bugle. As like all theme parks, they have nicely decorated the queue areas with many things to keep you entertained. The ride was another VR-type and lots of tossing and throwing around.
You get to see and experience Spiderman saving you from the hands of villains like Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Electro, Hydro-Man and Scream.
Food: Remember to try the Hot-Dog Bun here.
#4 – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (1+ Hour of Queue)
We chanced upon the Harry Potter’s Wizardy World when we saw a Forest Path leading to somewhere and many people walking out. A good place to buy yourself a Wizard Costume (as seen in his movies) and a Wand.
Food: Remember to try the Butterbear there too which tasted like Ice Cream Soda mixed with Vanilla Ice Cream.
Very messy place to be in… We wanted to go on the Castle Tour but ended up in another VR-type tour where you sit inside this bookcase, fly around the Hogwarts™ castle and explore Hogsmeade™ village. Before we got to go on the ride, we were told to go inside a big locker area to keep our belongings before we could join in a new queue. After the ride, you will have to get through the messy locker area to retrieve your items and leave the place.
#5 – Flight Of The Hippogriff (1+ Hour of Queue)
We queued along a forestry area where you can hear wolves and funny animal noises. You can also see Hagrid’s Hut while queuing. The queue time for this roller-coaster ride was not as long as the Wizardry world was in a corner of its own. This roller-coaster ride was rather low-key and not as scary as those really high and fast-moving rides.
#6 – JAWS (1+ Hour of Queue)
Go on a boat ride with a Japanese Guide in a river that the Big Jaws is in. The story was related by the Guide in Japanese and basically it was all about the Guide being a Hero who managed to kill the Jaws at the end of the ride. Be prepared to get a little wet if you are sitting at the corner.
#7 – The Flying Dinosaur (3+ Hours of Queue) — MUST TRY!
One of the longest queues you could find in USJ and be prepared to stand a lot and walk a little. Once in awhile you may see some cutting queues because “their friends” were already in the queue. Take this time to do some people-viewing.
The ride was a Roller-Coaster Ride but with your body facing down. It is quite exciting as you do not know what is ahead of you. you can only see what is below. Try not to open your mouth as your saliva may just drip out while shouting and hold on to your dear life for the next 2 minutes.
Food: Remember to try the Turkey Drumstick here which are cheaper by half from those Giant Chicken Drumsticks sold at other areas. But do take note that there are lots of those tough tendons to work through.
#8 – Hollywood Ride – The Ride – Backdrop (2+ Hours of Queue) — MUST TRY!
Another Roller-Coaster Ride but with your back facing the front. Get to listen some Western Music blasting out from the corner of your seat throughout the ride. This is another interesting ride as you will not be able to see and expect the route. However, do note that this queue moves slower than the other Hollywood Dream – The Ride (Forward facing coaster ride). Be prepared to stick your head to your seat as you may experience knocks if you are not careful.
Some Precautions:
If you are not too comfortable with VR-Rides, try not to go on too much as they could cause Motion Sickness which is a feeling of feeling unstable while standing and the strong urge to burp and vomit. One way to overcome is to find your P6 Pressure Point and press on it… which is to place a finger, three fingers sideways down from the wrist, and hold on for a few minutes. Repeat that a few times till you find the nauseous feeling subsided.