🎢 Japan Days 16 & 17: Universal Studios Japan

📍 Location: Osaka

🌟 Day 16 – First Day at the Park

Universal Studios Japan was massive, honestly, I've never seen a theme park this big, and it had so many different movie-themed areas: Hollywood, Jurassic Park, Minions, Spider-Man, Harry Potter, and more. It was so cool! I started by walking around and taking it all in before deciding on my first ride.

Before getting in line, I had to check a test seat to see if I was too big to ride. Luckily, I fit, better to check than stand in line for ages only to be turned away.

I explored Jurassic Park, Minion World, the Spider-Man ride, and Harry Potter World. Not every experience was worth the wait, one Harry Potter attraction turned out to be a short, two-minute wand show after a 20-minute wait, and you had to pay for the wand. Definitely not worth it for me, but the world itself had so much else to see.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Use the single-rider line if you're alone, it's much faster.

• Check test seats before queuing if you're unsure about fit.

• Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle, shade is limited.

☀️ Heat, Water Rides & Crowds

It was insanely hot today. Thankfully, there were misting fans, "cooling zones," and indoor areas with air conditioning. Some rides even sprayed water on you, which felt amazing, you'd get soaked but dry quickly in the heat.

I went solo, but I didn't feel lonely. Most people used the single-rider line anyway, so I often got on rides faster than groups. The park was packed, but even with long lines, it was absolutely worth it.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Expect crowds, arrive early for the most popular rides.

• Bring a cooling towel or small fan if you're sensitive to heat.

• Don't be afraid to go solo, theme parks in Japan make it easy and fun.

🎡 Day 17 – More Rides & Souvenirs

I headed straight for Jurassic Park again and rode several attractions. I had spareribs for lunch, super tasty and perfectly themed.

I also spent time in Minion World, picking out souvenirs for family and friends. There were so many fun things: keychains, cooling towels, pens with silly designs, plushies, and even lemon-flavored Minion drinks (sadly, I couldn't try them due to my lemon allergy).

Later, I joined a crowd heading into a show without knowing what it was, turns out, it was Beetlejuice. I didn't understand much since it was in Japanese (apart from a few English songs), but the performers were amazing singers. At one point, everyone stood up and did a wave, and I just sat there, confused but laughing.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Souvenir shops fill up later in the day, shop earlier to avoid crowds.

• Don't worry if you don't know Japanese, many rides and shows are still entertaining.

• Follow the crowd sometimes, you might stumble onto a fun show or event.

🍔 Evening & Relaxation

After the park, I grabbed some food from a grocery store and headed back to my hotel. I relaxed, watched a movie, and worked on my blog, it was nice to wind down after such a busy day.

🌟 Summary

Days 16 and 17 were fantastic, full of thrilling rides, hilarious moments, good food, and vibrant movie worlds. Universal Studios Japan is absolutely worth visiting, even if you're going alone. The combination of exciting attractions, well-themed areas, and little surprises like shows made these two days unforgettable. Ending the evenings quietly back at the hotel made the experience even better.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Reserve your tickets online in advance, popular days sell out quickly.

• Pack a small backpack for water, snacks, and a change of clothes if you plan to ride water attractions.

• Don't skip the smaller shows or street performances, they're often unexpectedly great.

• Take breaks and find shady spots, the park is huge, and it's easy to get overwhelmed.