Universal Studios Japan

Last day, best day! It’s so hard to believe that this is our final day in Japan. We have pretty much planned to someday visit from the time that they announced opening Super Nintendo World 5 years ago, and we booked fast passes for the main 7 rides that we wanted to ride a few months ago. We had timed entry to the Nintendo world and the park was a quick 2 trains (15 ish minutes) from our apartment. It was scheduled to rain all day, but we have done Disney several times in the rain and it’s not so bad. We were here for the opening and headed to Hollywood Dream first, which was a great but big coaster. Hudson and Tige not prepared for the big drops and speed, but both loved it in the end! Next we headed to the Nintendo world and it did not disappoint- you literally felt like you were in the games. The whole park was incredible this way, but we are definitely a Nintendo family (also evident by the purchases made previously). Unfortunately the new Mine Cart DK ride was closed because of the rain. We played Mario cart, yoshi’s adventure, and had a surprisingly good lunch in the restaurant there. The food was super fun too! I got to meet Yoshi (which the boys still call me after Halloween from 5 years ago). The kids had wristbands and could go around punching coins and blocks, which we barely scratched the surface of. Just as we finished the opened the Mine Cart in the Donkey Kong area, but it closed again after the rain started.

We decided to head to Jurassic Park World and rode the main ride (just like splash mountain at the end), very fun but got soaked! Just as we finished they opened Mine Cart again so we rushed over. The lines were long and we ended up waiting about an hour because the suspended it just as we approached the front. We were glad that we waited, as it finally opened, was incredible (!!) and then was permanently closed for the day about 2 minutes after we made it through.

Our passes were a bit out of sync for Harry Potter, so Gid and I went and rode the Hippogriff and the came back for the biggest ride in the park (The Flying Dinosaur). You are strapped in lying on your stomach and then there are straight drops head first and the flip you around at high speeds. All we could hear all day was screaming and though we were both scared, we clearly had to ride it. It was absolutely insane, but super fun. We rode it twice while the rest of the fam was getting super sick over at the Minions ride.

We all met up at HP and did a very cool ride that was a combo of flying, screens and animatronics. So neat, but H and I so sick afterwards. Elliot was still struggling too. We rode the jaws boat ride- very neat especially since the kids just saw it recently. Jurassic Park one more time and shopping and the park was closed at 7.

We headed home, but stopped at Hack for some delicious gyoza, rice and ramen before final showers, packing and a quick sleep once more in Osaka.

None of us are ready to leave (though we have no more room or money for souvenirs lol). So many great memories made. Japan has been absolute magic and we will 100% be back.Read more