If you’re planning to visit Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in July 2025, this guide will help you avoid long lines and make the most of your visit. July marks the beginning of summer vacation for students in Japan. With new attractions, seasonal collaborations, weekend holidays, and local discount campaigns, Universal Studios Japan is expected to be quite crowded throughout the month.
Crowd Forecast: What to Expect in July 2025
Here’s what’s influencing the crowd levels this month:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎉 New Summer Events | SPY×FAMILY, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, ONE PIECE, HYBE Summer Dance Night (all start from July 1) |
| 🎡 Minion Park Expansion | New Minions-themed area opens on July 11 (includes new attraction and shop) |
| 🇯🇵 National Holiday | Marine Day on July 21 creates a 3-day weekend (July 19–21) |
| 🏫 School Breaks | Japanese school summer vacation starts around July 19 |
| 🎫 Ticket Prices | Weekday tickets are ¥8,900 early in the month, rising to ¥9,900–¥10,900 during summer break and holidays |
| ⏰ Opening Hours | Longest hours on peak days: July 7, 25, 28, 31 (open until 22:00) |
| 🚫 Annual Pass Blockouts | July 19–21 and 26–27 (annual pass holders cannot enter) |
July 2025 Calendar Overview
Here is the July 2025 crowd forecast calendar for USJ, including ticket prices and park hours.
Week-by-Week Breakdown
July 1–7 (Moderate to Busy)
Starting July 1, 2025, a series of summer events and collaboration events will kick off at USJ:
SPY×FAMILY collaboration
The Apothecary Diaries collaboration
ONE PIECE Premier Summer 2025
NO LIMIT! Summer Splash Parade
NO LIMIT! Summer Dance Night with HYBE JAPAN
Best days to visit: July 2-3. The event’s opening day and the first weekend are likely to be very crowded.
July 8–14 (Still Manageable)
The expansion of Minion Park is scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025. While the opening day of Minion Park on July 11 is expected to be crowded, overall it should still be relatively calm since it’s before the summer vacation period.
Best days to visit: July 8 to 10. The opening day of Minion Park and the first weekend are likely to be very crowded.
July 15–21 (High Crowds – 3-Day Weekend)
The three-day weekend (July 19–21) attracts large crowds. From July 19 to 21, it is one of the busiest periods of the month, and ticket prices surge to ¥10,900.
July 22–31 (Summer Vacation Peak)
Most schools in Japan start their summer vacation during this period. The park gets crowded every day, and wait times tend to be longer. Temperatures also rise around this time. Since Japanese summers are hot and humid, be sure to take proper precautions.
Popular attractions like Donkey Kong can have wait times of 180 minutes or more.
Ticket Price Trends
| Date Range | Price (JPY) | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2–3, 8–10, 16 | ¥8,900 | Light to Moderate |
| Jul 4–14, 22–31 | ¥9,900 | Crowded |
| Jul 19–21 | ¥10,900 | Very Crowded (3-day holiday) |
In general, higher ticket prices tend to indicate busier days. However, the opposite can also occur — lower-priced days may attract more guests and end up being crowded. For example, July 16 is currently forecasted as “Very Quiet,” but it still has the potential to be crowded.
Best Days to Visit in July 2025
| ✅ Recommended Dates | Reason |
|---|---|
| July 2–3 | Low ticket prices, no events yet |
| July 8–10 | Before Minion Park opens, less crowd |
| July 16 | Weekday before 3-day weekend |
Days to Avoid
| ⚠️ Crowded Dates | Why |
|---|---|
| July 1, 5–6 | Start of new events |
| July 11 | Minion Park expansion opens |
| July 19–21 | 3-day national holiday |
| July 28–31 | Likely passholder surge before blockout period |
If you plan to visit USJ on a crowded day, purchasing an Express Pass is highly recommended.
Final Tips
Express Passes often sell out, so be sure to purchase yours early.
USJ typically opens earlier than the official time, so plan to arrive 60 to 90 minutes before the posted opening hour.
Bring a hat, water, and sunscreen — Osaka is extremely hot in July!
If you want to avoid the crowds, weekdays before July 18 are your best bet.
Comments