Japan Diaries 2: Day 13

Day 13 May 29, 2018

Universal Studios Japan


Before sleeping last night, I checked if the weather forecast today would change for the better. Last I checked, it would be cloudy with a 10% chance of rain so the first thing I did when I woke up today was to check the skies for any signs of rain clouds...
 
Welcome to Universal Studios Japan! (Sorry about my wife's head)

Look who came to welcome my daughter...

You would surely love strolling at USJ

I'm very wary of today's weather because we booked a ticket for Universal Studios Japan (USJ). It was quite a gamble really as we had to choose between May 28 (yesterday), 29 (today), and 30 (tomorrow) for our USJ trip. All three are cloudy days with chances of rainfall according to the weather forecast. It only rained briefly yesterday and the day was only generally cloudy. So, we pray that the weather today would somehow be similar or better than yesterday. 

Picture taking with Jaws!

God must have heard our prayers as it remained generally cloudy throughout the day. To make the day more special, Mr. Toshi and his wife decided to join us for today's trip. 

That's right! Feed the T-rex some sugary drink!

Check out the T-rex inside the restaurant

Lunchtime with our Japanese family.

After breakfast, Mr. Toshi's daughter Ms. Sawa drove us to Universal Studios Japan. Since we already booked via Klook, it took us only a few minutes to line up and enter the theme park. Surprisingly, despite being a Tuesday, there were still a lot of local and foreign visitors in the park.

Say banana!

Unlike our first visit to the park, we didn't have the Universal Express Pass so we didn't waste time and immediately lined up for the rides on our list. We rode the following theme park rides in order:

Ready for our adventure!

Jaws

Jurassic Park The Flying Dinosaur

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

The Amazing Adventure of Spiderman: The Ride

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride

After lining up for an hour to try out the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride, we decided to have our lunch at the Jurassic Park Inspired restaurant where we experienced a "special encounter" with an escaped velociraptor. Afterward, we went to the Universal Wonderland Area where my daughter and I would have our father-daughter bonding while my wife bonded with our Japanese family. 

Heading to Universal Wonderland

Look who's enjoying the parade of Snoopy and friends.

Ella and I rode the following theme park rides in order:

Hello Kitty's Cupcake Dream

Snoopy Studio

Flying Snoopy

Elmo's Little Drive

Moppy's Balloon Trip

Elmo's Imagination Playground

T2 Terminator 2 2D

We then went to meet my wife at Snoopy's Backlot Cafe and had some snacks there. Since it was getting dark already, we lined up to experience one more spectacle -The T2 Terminator 2 2D. True enough, it was a perfect experience to end our second Universal Studios experience.

Night scene at Universal Studios Japan

Meet and greet with USJ's performers

There was supposed to be a special night spectacle parade before the park closes down for the day, however, it suddenly drizzled before it even started. Although the drizzle lasted only for less than 5 minutes, the park management canceled the parade and had a meet and greet with the performers instead. 

Look who enjoyed her day!

We left after the meet and greet and proceeded to the train station passing through Universal CityWalk. Before buying our tickets, my wife and I treated our Japanese family to coffee at Starbucks near the train station to show gratitude for accompanying us today. 

Who'd miss out on the chance to have a family picture at the famous USJ Arch


Thank you so much to our Japanese godparents for accompanying us to this wonderful place. 

Took a stroll at Universal CityWalk

After our coffee bonding, we continued on our way home. We rode the train just as we did three years back during our first visit to USJ. We reached home at around 11PM and called it a night after taking a late-night hot tub dip. 

Best souvenir ever... Mr. Toshi wrote this to the wheelchair he rented... We are family indeed!

Overall, our 13th day in Japan gave us another opportunity to bond with each other and most importantly create lasting memories.

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Comments

  1. I've never been to any of the universals but I'd really love to go with my family, seeing these photos makes me want to go even more!

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    Replies
    1. I do hope you get to visit any Universal Studios theme park Burning Moon. =)

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  2. OMG this place looks universal studios Japan looks so inviting. I wish i could go there now, Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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    Replies
    1. Please do visit Universal Studios Japan when you get the opportunity. =)

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  3. Thank you for the lovely, visual tour of the place. Harry potter and the forbidden ride was my favorite, reminding of my crazy days. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting my blog as well. =) USJ really does bring back memories.

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  4. Waoo, Japan is such a great and lovely place to be. I really enjoy the view

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting. I hope my blog enticed you to visit.

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  5. I had no clue that there was a Universal Studios in Japan. Looks like you’ve had lots a fun and these photos are great.

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  6. universal studios in Japan sounds like a very interesting place to visit with your family. After reading this I’m very encouraged to do so the next time that I visit Japan. Keshia Richmond

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Praying that you and your family would get to visit USJ in the future. =)

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  7. I live near Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, and it's crazy how everything looks exactly the same!

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    Replies
    1. Really? Whoa! I should visit Universal Studios Orlando someday.

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  8. Wow Universal studio is one of my dream to visit someday Lucky you! Love your photos!!

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  9. USJ! I am hoping to take my sister to here in the summer!

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  10. It looks like you had fun, and didn't let the rainfall chance spoil it, the rides and attractions look so amazing, it must have been a blast to be there :D

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    Replies
    1. We did have fun Matija. =) The pictures didn't give justice to the happiness we experienced that day.

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  11. Been here 2 years ago.. I really miss the place..

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  12. 'Sorry about my wife's head.' ha! Looks like the trip was fantastic!

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    Replies
    1. Yes it was. =) Gotta visit this place again someday.

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  13. Replies
    1. Please do bring your kiddos to Universal Studios Japan. They will surely love it.

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  14. It looks like such a nice trip! Universal studio is similar to the one in Singapore where I had been. It was such an unforgettable experience.

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    Replies
    1. We did have such a nice trip. I haven't been to universal Studios Singapore though. I'd love to experience it as well.

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  15. Nice article. Loves to visit Japan one day. Amazing pictures. Hope you are enjoying every moment of your life. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting. Hope you get to visit USJ someday as well.

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  16. Japan is the Best Place and It has Best People in the world. They are Humble and soft natured. Great post!

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  17. I never thought there would be a Universal studios in Japan but would love to visit there some day. Also, glad your fam had a great time there!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Yes my family sure did have a day time here.

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  18. This is one of the most interesting blog that I have read about Universals

    Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Your family seemed to really enjoy! I need to pay a visit of my own!

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    Replies
    1. Yes they did. =) You should bring your family here someday. =)

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  20. Wow, i bet my kids would love this place. It would be like one stop shop for them

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    Replies
    1. That's true. One day here will surely be not enough for your kids.

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  21. Love spending good quality time with the family.

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    Replies
    1. I agree! You should bring your family here as well. =)

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  22. Wish I get a chance to visit this amazing place. This is so adventures and perfect place to spend vacations. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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  23. I do love reading about your adventures, please continue to share. I love travelling and I'm too sick to do so, hence living through others like yourself

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    Replies
    1. I pray that you do get to visit Japan someday when you're well. =)

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  24. Looks like you had a great time.. I have visited Universal Studios Orlando it’s a wonderful place.

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