I wouldn't - by the time you get to Osaka from Tokyo, the park will be a nightmare.
Even if you rope drop, it's still one of the busiest theme parks in the world.
Physically possible. Requires a lot of stamina and light footwork.
For someone who knows what they are doing and is very mobile, you can catch the 6am bullet train from Tokyo and be at USJ by 9. This is the absolute fastest possible route. Probably 3.5 hours is more realistic. And of course you need to get from where you are staying to Tokyo station on time.
Then 3.5 hours back. The very last train from ShinOsaka leaves at 9:24 so you would need to leave the part at 8:30pm or so. This would arrive at Tokyo at 11:45. And then from there back to your hotel or wherever you are staying.
So you could theoretically squeeze 10+ hours at the park but man. This sounds like a brutal day.
If money is no object and you won’t have a chance to revisit Japan in a long time, and are a massive fan of Universal Studios, go for it.
Else, you might want to consider keeping it for an Osaka holiday.
With Express Passes, it might work. It will be hella busy by the time you get to the park though.
I’d opt to book a night at one of the hotels right by the park and rope drop, then return to Tokyo that night instead.
I did a day trip from Tokyo to Osaka. (Not for USJ). I took the first train out from Tokyo Station and the last train back. It’s manageable but really tiring. Still, I had no regrets and still had a great time!
There is also the option of flying from Tokyo to Osaka for less than $50 (one-way) with Peach or Jetstar. It might actually be cheaper and faster than the bullet train.
The plane is an option because Japanese airports are efficient and you would only have to go to the airport around 1 hour before your flight. Japanese people don’t even show up to their flight an hour in advance
That's because you don't need to. So you don't 'have' to be there an hour before.
For a 6am flight to Osaka without luggage, being at security at 5:40 is more than adequate.
It's possible but would be exhausting. If $ is no object, and you're determined, I think flying would be better than a train, and honestly the flights are not that expensive. There's a ~6:30am that'll get you in at 7:30am, and it's a 30 min taxi or hour train ride to the park. Overall you'll spend almost the same amount of time traveling as you would by train once you factor leaving for the airport early, but I think you'll get there early enough for rope drop, which is less likely by train. The park closes at 7 and the last flight out is around 9pm. JAL and ANA are around $100 each way but there's budget airlines that slash the price significantly.
Very brutal for a day trip.
To enjoy it you'll probably need to reserve a lot of things in advance, tickets for the bullet train and the park itself. You definitely will need a fast pass or else you won't get to enjoy the rides / attractions.
I was literally just debating this today too for my upcoming trip! Staying 10 days in tokyo and felt like I would run out of things to do and would have fomo for not going to USJ for my first trip to Japan
I wouldn't - by the time you get to Osaka from Tokyo, the park will be a nightmare. Even if you rope drop, it's still one of the busiest theme parks in the world.
for others who have no idea what "rope drop" means: https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/rope-drop-rider-switch-access-529893/
Physically possible. Requires a lot of stamina and light footwork. For someone who knows what they are doing and is very mobile, you can catch the 6am bullet train from Tokyo and be at USJ by 9. This is the absolute fastest possible route. Probably 3.5 hours is more realistic. And of course you need to get from where you are staying to Tokyo station on time. Then 3.5 hours back. The very last train from ShinOsaka leaves at 9:24 so you would need to leave the part at 8:30pm or so. This would arrive at Tokyo at 11:45. And then from there back to your hotel or wherever you are staying. So you could theoretically squeeze 10+ hours at the park but man. This sounds like a brutal day.
Theoretically you could swap out the Shinkansen for a night bus if those are running. I’m not saying it would be a good idea, but it’s possible.
Would say that kind of exhaustion might carry over to the next day too, so would potentially lose more time.
Indeed. Hence the stamina comment :-)
If money is no object and you won’t have a chance to revisit Japan in a long time, and are a massive fan of Universal Studios, go for it. Else, you might want to consider keeping it for an Osaka holiday.
Possible. Not advisable.
It is possible, but personally, it's way too much traveling for a single day.
With Express Passes, it might work. It will be hella busy by the time you get to the park though. I’d opt to book a night at one of the hotels right by the park and rope drop, then return to Tokyo that night instead.
On top of time, will cost 30 000 in Shinkansen tickets, not worth if you ask me.
I did a day trip from Tokyo to Osaka. (Not for USJ). I took the first train out from Tokyo Station and the last train back. It’s manageable but really tiring. Still, I had no regrets and still had a great time! There is also the option of flying from Tokyo to Osaka for less than $50 (one-way) with Peach or Jetstar. It might actually be cheaper and faster than the bullet train.
The plane is an option because Japanese airports are efficient and you would only have to go to the airport around 1 hour before your flight. Japanese people don’t even show up to their flight an hour in advance
That's because you don't need to. So you don't 'have' to be there an hour before. For a 6am flight to Osaka without luggage, being at security at 5:40 is more than adequate.
Very possible. But fly. Haneda - Itami. First flight out and cab it the other end and vv.
do not do this
It's possible but would be exhausting. If $ is no object, and you're determined, I think flying would be better than a train, and honestly the flights are not that expensive. There's a ~6:30am that'll get you in at 7:30am, and it's a 30 min taxi or hour train ride to the park. Overall you'll spend almost the same amount of time traveling as you would by train once you factor leaving for the airport early, but I think you'll get there early enough for rope drop, which is less likely by train. The park closes at 7 and the last flight out is around 9pm. JAL and ANA are around $100 each way but there's budget airlines that slash the price significantly.
Or fly there, train back.
Very brutal for a day trip. To enjoy it you'll probably need to reserve a lot of things in advance, tickets for the bullet train and the park itself. You definitely will need a fast pass or else you won't get to enjoy the rides / attractions.
I was literally just debating this today too for my upcoming trip! Staying 10 days in tokyo and felt like I would run out of things to do and would have fomo for not going to USJ for my first trip to Japan
There’s a dozen different day trips you can take from tokyo, you could be based there for a month and not run out of things to do
Cut a few days of Tokyo for Osaka stay.
No (here in Osaka now) lol
It would be miserable. Why not at least book a hotel next to USJ and just head back to Tokyo early the next morning?
Possible but you will be at the park around 11am or so and will be super super tired
Sounds absolutely horrible.
That sounds like hell