, ,

Visiting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan

Posted on

by

I’ve been a huge fan of Nintendo since I was a child, with the SNES and Game Boy being my first experiences of games consoles. You can imagine how excited I was when I had the chance to visit Super Nintendo World in Osaka for the first time.

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan

Despite opening back in early 2021, it’s still extremely popular and entry to the land usually requires a reservation. You can do this in a number of ways, both paid and free, and I’ll go into detail at the end of this post. Just know that it’ll take a bit of planning to get in…

Once you’ve made it into the area just outside of the land, scanned in and reached peak excitement, you’ll hit the green pipe photo op first. I recommend waiting until the queue isn’t too long (I did it on my way out once I’d completed everything I wanted to inside) and while they do offer the professional shots, you are under no obligation to purchase them. While they won’t take photos on your device, they’ll take a video, which captures you jumping out of the pipe like Mario, which I loved.

Make your way through the tunnel and out of Peach’s castle and you’ll find yourself immersed in the land. It’s an absolute barrage of colours and sounds and you really do feel like you’ve exited into some kind of video game. There are so many blocks and pipes sitting on the levels of land you’ll be familiar with in the Super Mario games and there are piranha plants dotted around and Goombas too. There’s even a flag! There are tons of ? Blocks and some are even interactive…

If you want to take part in all the Bowser Jr. Key Challenges and other interactive points, like the blocks, you’ll need to purchase a Power-Up Band, which you can find at vending carts. You’ll need to link it to the app to keep track of what you’re doing and the it will enable you to gain coins, among other things, when you hit the blocks wearing it and also complete the Key Challenge. It’s an extra cost and it’s not vital, but it will allow you a lot of extra experiences in the land. If you’re visiting multiple times, it would be well worth it.

From Peach’s castle you can see Bowser’s castle across the other side of the land and that’s where you’ll most likely be heading first.

The main attraction in the land is Mario Kart currently (we’re still awaiting news of the delayed new Donkey Kong area) and you’ll have to be prepared to wait a WHILE unless you’re first in the land or have an Express Pass (at an extra cost). After entering Bowser’s (or Koopa as he’s known in Japanese) castle through his giant mouth, his statue looms at the entrance to the queue. Once through, you get given a Mario hat with built in 3D glasses and a seat in a kart. The ride feels like you’re actually taking part in Mario Kart, which is super fun, although It doesn’t go as fast as you hope it will. However, you can still fire out banana skins and bombs at fellow players and gain bonuses, just like you can in the game. The ride was worth the 90 minute wait, but I just wish I hadn’t had to wait it!

Exit through the Mario Motors gift shop, which is full of Mario Kart themed merch alongside some general Nintendo items. There’s also a popcorn stall outside the shop that sells the awesome popcorn bucket of Mario riding a kart. This would’ve been an immediate purchase, but I had zero luggage space to spare, so I had to leave it behind. Fingers crossed for next time!

The other ride in the area is Yoshi’s Adventure, which is aimed at children, but it’s a cute ride with a lovely themed queue full of Yoshi eggs and it gives you an awesome view of the whole area from above. Not far from the entrance to the ride is Yoshi’s Snack Island, home to the yummiest food I ate in the area; the pizza-bread green shell filled with yakisoba (stir fried noodles in a sauce) and cheese. My god this was good. You can also pick up the 1-Up Mushroom, Super Mushroom and Fire Flower drink bottles here too.

The main restaurant here is Kinopio’s Cafe (Kinopio is Toad) and it’s a mix of counter service and sit down restaurant in one. You order at the counter and collect drinks, but then you’re given a buzzer for the servers to find you with your meal. The theming in here is great, with a green pipe and mushroom in the centre and other icons lit up on the ceiling. There are ‘windows’ all around the room showing Toad and his friends in the Mushroom Kingdom. I just grabbed dessert and a drink here after my yakisoba bread, and opted for the ? Block Tiramisu. This was a case of aesthetic over taste, because it looked great, but the flavour was just okay. On the other hand, the Super Star Lemon Squash tasted delicious, but the floating jellies that looked so fun in the picture, just stayed at the bottom, even after a vigorous stir! I really wanted to get the Mushroom Pizza Bowl, because the bowl looked so cute with its pizza mushroom top, but I hate mushrooms, so sadly I didn’t, but I hope they introduce a different flavour pizza bowl in the future.

Alongside the vending carts and Mario’s Motors is the 1-Up Factory; the main merchandise location in the area. There is so much cool Nintendo merchandise to buy, and it’s a one stop shop for all things Mario and friends. From boxes of snacks and mystery boxes to plush pass cases, keychains and stationery. There is a ton of themed apparel and homeware too.

There are also meet and greet photo ops going on throughout the day, where you can interact with Mario and Luigi right in the centre of the land and Princess Peach up by her castle. Toad/Kinopio can also be seen wandering around the park, but unfortunately you can’t stand with him for a photo, selfies in front of him only.

There’s even more Mario outside of the land in the Mario Cafe and Store. Pancake sandwiches shaped like Mario and Luigi’s hats come filled with either strawberries or grapes, custard, jam and lashings of whipped cream. These are insanely good. You can even watch them being put together by the chefs through a big window inside the store. There are also sparkling cream soda drinks to go with these (Mario is strawberry and Luigi is green apple), which are also delicious, but we get the addition of a Princess Peach themed drink too (peach flavoured of course). The location has nowhere to eat inside, only to take photos, but there are plenty of spaces to perch and tuck in down by the waterfront.

Tickets & Visiting Information

So, how to get in… On any day you have at least 3 ways to reserve your timed entry and all of them require a studio park pass for the day. Firstly you can pay for an Express Pass that includes the Mario Kart ride (these are an extra cost on top of a park ticket); secondly you can register your park pass on the app and then apply for a timed entry once you’ve scanned into the park; or you can pick up a timed entry pass in the park itself by scanning your ticket at a special booth inside the park. Once all timed entry passes have been issued for the day, you can apply for a space through the lottery system, but that’s not guaranteed. On some days, there might be low crowds and a timed entry wouldn’t be necessary, but again, there’s no guarantee.

I would really avoid holidays (including school ones) if you don’t want to be spending your life queuing, but the express pass could help you out if you don’t have a choice. Holidays also mean you definitely need to turn up at least an hour before park open to get your entry reservation to the land. Turning up too late will mean your only means of entry could be  a lottery space but that won’t guarantee you an entry unless you’re very lucky. I’ve experienced this outcome, but I also came on a quiet day and arrived an hour before park open and grabbed a reservation for an entry within the first hour of the day. Then I was able to spend as much time as I wanted in the land, without worrying I would run out of time or miss the opportunity to enter.

I highly recommend getting here early and grabbing your entry pass to the land, because you will 1000% not be disappointed. It’s an extremely well themed area with fun attractions, yummy food and excellent merchandise. It’s ‘super’ nostalgic and and any Nintendo fan will absolutely love the experience.

Do you want to visit?

PS. If you’re in the USA, we also have a guide to Visiting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.

About the Author


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Super Cute Kawaii is a daily blog sharing the best of kawaii since 2008. Our small team of writers around the world cover the cutest independent makers, our favourite Japanese and Korean characters, cool shops and events worldwide + DIY crafts, reviews, giveaways, Japan travel tips and lots more!

oshoppu - UK kawaii lifestyle shop
Asking For Trouble - cute, colourful and useful stationery, accessories, craft supplies and gifts
advertise on Super Cute Kawaii from £10!
Cakes With Faces - colourful t-shirts, clothing & gifts inspired by Japan
A Cute Shop 4 Hello Kitty
Momokakkoii - kawaii goodies that will brighten your day
The Super Cute Book of Kawaii
Pusheen Box Fall 2024

SPECIAL OFFER

Get $5 off your first TokyoTreat & Sakuraco snack box with SCKAWAII

TokyoTreat Japanese snacks subscription box review
Sakuraco monthly Japanese Artisan Snack Box