Anyone who grew up playing old school video games dreams of visiting Super Nintendo World. This themed section inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is a geek-filled paradise where you warp right into Princess Peach’s Castle, punch question mark blocks in real life, and dine on cute Mario-themed food items.

After years of being stuck at home and escaping to virtual worlds, it felt great to get sucked into this immersive video game world in real life in Japan during a recent family trip. 

The themed area, which opened on March 18, 2021 is based on several Nintendo video game franchises, mainly Super Mario and its Yoshi spin-off series. The world will further expand with the addition of the Donkey Kong Country spin-off series, which will be completed in 2024. 

Location

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is the first themed world of its kind and the nearest geographically for travelers coming from the Philippines. Another Super Nintendo World opened in 2023 in Universal Studios Hollywood. Similar themed areas are currently under construction at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort.

The world

The themed area is located at the end of the park, west of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s about a 10-minute walk from main park entrance, passing through the main Hollywood Boulevard, the entrance to Wizarding World, Amity Ville, Jurassic Park, and a walkway that branches right next to the WaterWorld sign. Check out the park’s official interactive map here.

There are several pipes and a Super Nintendo World signage right outside the main entrance where you can get a great souvenir photo op. Guests enter the world through a large Warp Pipe from an entrance plaza with a large power star in the pavement.

The massive pipe leads right into Princess Peach’s Castle and out into a courtyard on the 2nd floor. A stairway and balcony gives visitors a view of the whole Mushroom Kingdom with the imposing gray Bowser’s Castle right across.

Just walking around the world will give you plenty of great photo opportunities. The details are amazing. Question mark blocks and note blocks are scattered around. Even the bathroom is themed after the Mario water world level complete with the right music and cute details like squid monsters on the wall. 

Those with kids can catch the meet-and-greet sessions for photo ops with the costumed main characters. Princess Peach is stationed inside a gazebo-like structure next to her castle, while Mario and Luigi are near the entrance to the Yoshi’s Adventure ride. Guests can also visit Toad in different parts of the lower-level near the cafe.

Rides and attractions

Super Nintendo World is not a stand-alone theme park, but just a smaller themed section so there are currently only two main rides. Expect the lines to be long for both.

Yoshi’s Adventure

Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly ride. Hang on to Yoshi as you search for Captain Toad on a treasure hunt.

This slow-moving coaster ride gives riders a spectacular view of the Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole. Riders can also use the Captain’s map to find 3 mysterious eggs around the course.

Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge

The most popular ride by far is Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, which is like a VR version of Mario Kart. In this interactive ride, you race your way to victory by aiming at enemies and blasting them with with shells as the ride takes you around the course.

This one is really fun and will leave you wanting to ride it again. However, the line itself just getting in to the ride takes a while. At peak hours, the waiting line can be about two hours just to go on the five-minute ride. There are a lot of fun props and photo ops around the castle while you wait for your turn.

Power Up Band Key Challenges

Mini-games are just part of what makes many video games fun beyond the main story or levels. You can enjoy more adventures of the multilevel world with a Power-Up Band, which are sold separately. While using the band and the official Universal Studios smartphone app, you can experience key challenges, collect virtual coins and items, keep track of progress, and literally level up your experience in this world.

The Power-Up Band comes in six regular designs, inspired by Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Yoshi. There’s also a special Limited Edition Gold Mario band.

During our visit, the Power-Up Bands cost ¥4,200 (Php 1,621.73) each. You can get these at a kiosk right before entering the world, at the 1-UP Store inside Super Nintendo World or at a kiosk in the land. You don’t have to charge the bands, and can just use and sync it to the app immediately. 

While you don’t have to buy Power-Up Bands for everyone in your group, having at least one can enhance the whole experience, especially for kids. It also makes a fun souvenir for the trip.

Merchandise and shops

Speaking of souvenirs, there are a LOT of Mario-themed merchandise available, so arm yourself with lots of cash or your credit card if you’re planning to shop. Aside from the two main shops within Super Nintendo World, the most popular Mario merch like keychains, t-shirts, and more are available at The Universal Studios Store on Hollywood Boulevard.

1 Up Factory

The 1-Up Factory, which is designed to look like the inside of a factory, has the widest range of souvenirs including wearable merchandise, plush hats, food items, toys, glasses, and more. You can find this at the ground level of the world when you go down the stairs from Princess Peach’s castle.

Mario Motors

Mario Motors, located beside Bowser’s Castle, is a garage-style shop that contains more motoring-themed souvenirs from the Mario Kart games.

Where to eat in Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World has one main restaurant and two quick service stalls that serve themed snacks and drinks on the go.

Kinopio’s Cafe

Kinopio’s Cafe is the only sit-down restaurant area within Super Nintendo World. Here, you can indulge in fun gourmet dishes crafted by the Chef Toad (apparently Kinopio is the Japanese name of the mushroom guy who tells you that the Princess is in another castle in the game). While the cafe looks small outside, it’s actually pretty big.

Bestsellers here include Mario’s Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi’s Green Curry Chicken Sandwich, Yoshi’s Spinach Carbonara, Super Mushroom Pizza Bowl with Mushroom Tomato Sauce, ? Block Tiramisu, and more.

The burger was pretty good and I liked the dessert, but everything was pricey (as expected) since you’re paying for the experience. Take note that once you pay and sit down, you can’t order additional food without lining up outside the cafe again, so I suggest you order enough drinks and desserts aside from the main dishes. There’s a free service water station inside the resto.

Note: Depending on the day’s conditions, tickets for specific times to purchase these items may be distributed. Distribution will end when the pre-determined number of tickets has been handed out.

I recommend trying to secure the time entry tickets for the cafe as early as possible as food could get sold out ;ater in the day. Even with a physical timed entry ticket for the cafe, you will still need to line up and wait to be seated. 

TIP: To save on drinks, there’s a stall that sells cheaper regular bottled water and tea. There ‘s also a drinking fountain near the restroom and inside the cafe where you can refill containers or tumblers for free.

Yoshi’s Snack Island

Yoshi’s Snack Island is a food stand with Yoshi-inspired offerings. They serve Green Shell Calzone (filled with Yakisoba and Cheese) (￥800) that look like Koopa Troopas, Yoshi’s Lassi Drinks (￥700), and cute drinks that come in Fire Flower Drink Bottles, Super Mushroom Drink Bottle and 1-Up Mushroom Drink Bottle (￥2,100).

Pit Stop Popcorn

Pit Stop Popcorn is a stall that sells popcorn in cute themed containers including Mario Kart Popcorn Buckets (￥5,200) and Super Star Popcorn Buckets (￥4,500). The popcorn comes in two flavors: Caramel Peach and Mushroom Cream. Sales are limited to one per person only and the number of buckets per sale per day can quickly run out.

BONUS: Mario Cafe & Store

In case you weren’t able to eat in the main restaurant or enter Super Nintendo World itself, there’s a restaurant that serves a few Mario-themed desserts and drinks outside Super Nintendo World.

The Mario Cafe & Store on Hollywood Boulevard offers exclusive Super Mario merchandise and food featuring colors and designs from the Mushroom Kingdom. They offer Mario’s Cap Strawberry Shortcake and Luigi’s Cap Grape No-Bake Cheesecake Pancake Sandwiches for ￥800 each.

Entrance fees

Regular tickets are not applicable for separately ticketed special events, such as Countdown Party Pass or operating hours unless stated otherwise on the pass.

So you don’t have to line up at the ticket counter, you can book the regular Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass with directly entry easily on Klook.

1 Day Studio Pass

• Adults (12+) – ￥8,600 per ticket (P3,361.19)
• Children (4~11) – ￥5,600 per ticket (P2,188.68)
• Seniors (65+) – ¥7,700 per ticket (P3,009.44)

2 Day Studio Pass

• Adults (12+) – ¥16,300 per ticket (P6,370.63)
• Children (4~11) – ¥10,600 per ticket (P4,142.87)

1.5 Day Studio Pass

Valid from 3:00 pm on the first day for two consecutive days

• Adults (12+): ¥13,100 per ticket (P5,119.96)
• Children (4~11) ¥8,600 per ticket (P3,361.19)

Different Universal Express Passes ranging in price from ¥6,800, ¥7,800 ¥10,800 each (roughly P2,600 to P4,200 more for all ages) on top of the regular theme park admission are also available. These tickets allow you you to bypass long lines to the most popular rides.

Aside from the Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass, there are two main Express Passes you should look out for, namely USJ Express Pass 4 and Express Pass 7, which allow you to skip 4 and 7 attractions respectively.

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• Book the USJ Express Pass 4 here. 
• Book the USJ Express Pass 7 here.

If you want to save time and have the cash to spare, then these Express Passes are highly recommended. Most attractions have waiting times of one to three hours just for rides that last one to five minutes. The waiting line can be longer during special seasonal events like Halloween Horror Night or holidays.

Hours of operation

USJ’s hours vary by the season, but opening time is typically between 8:30 and 9:30 am, and closing time between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Extended hours are implemented on some weekends and on public holidays. The park remains open every day of the year.

How to get tickets

While Super Nintendo World is part of Universal Studios Japan, due to its immense popularity, a separate Area Timed Entry Ticket: Advance Booking or an Area Timed Entry Ticket/Standby Entry Ticket is required to enter SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. Visitors can obtain these tickets either before coming to the park or on the day of your visit through our official app or at a ticket kiosk in the park.

Note: Distribution of Area Timed Entry Tickets may end early depending on conditions on the day of visit. There may be times when entry is possible without an Area Timed Entry Ticket: Advance Booking or an Area Timed Entry Ticket/Standby Entry Ticket.

We came earlier than published park hours and were able to enter Super Nintendo World without needing an Express Pass. Book tickets here: Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass.

While inside the park, Timed Entry Tickets were only available on the app around 10:00 am onwards for noon timeslots. By noon, the timeslots were only for 5:00 pm onwards. When we walked out after lunch, there was already a long line of people just waiting to get in with their standby tickets.

How long will it take to visit the area?

If you get to USJ early, you can enter Super Nintendo World at once, line up for the rides and hopefully get a ticket to have early lunch at Kinopio’s Cafe. The area is fairly small, so you could easily circle the area (outside the rides) in an hour or two. 

However, you will most likely spend half a day just waiting in line to do the rides, waiting to eat at the restaurant, and lining up to pay for merchandise at the shops. I recommend coming early because timeslots get filled out later in the day and so you can enter without the timed entry ticket. To maximize your time, opt for the Express Pass or make use of Single Rider’s Lines for rides.

How to get there

Universal Studios Japan is located about 7 kilometers from Osaka. When we visited, we availed of the Bus Transfer between Osaka and Universal Studios Japan on Klook going there. The bus picks you up from Dohtonbori and brings you directly to the park with no transfers. If you don’t want a seamless ride without the hassle of navigating trains and doing multiple transfers and want to get to the park early, the bus is a good option. You just need to show the voucher on the bus and you’re good to go.

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However, taking the bus involves a long walk from the bus parking area to the park entrance. The bus ride took about 15 minutes while the walk to the park entrance took another 10 minutes. It cost around P970 for 2 people for a one way trip when I booked it.

You can also get to the park and leave by train. We just took the train going back to the hotel from the park. Those with a Japan Rail Pass or train passes can take the Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station City to Nishikujo Station. Then, transfer to the Sakurajima Line to Universal-City Station. This trip takes about 13 minutes, and trains depart about every 15 minutes. You can walk from the park entrance to the train station in under five minutes.

Read more about other parts of Universal Studios Japan trip in my previous post. Make sure to have WiFi for navigation and for using the Universal Studios app during your park visit.

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Address

Super Nintendo World is located inside Universal Studios Japan at 2 Chome 1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, Japan.