What Is USJ’s Countdown 2027?
The event runs from 7:00 p.m. on December 31, 2026, to 9:00 p.m. on January 1, 2027—a maximum of 26 hours. You need a dedicated Party Pass, priced at ¥16,900 including tax. You can leave and return during its validity period, so you do not have to spend the entire night inside the park.
The appeal is a New Year’s celebration built around USJ’s 25th anniversary: a special stage program, fireworks around midnight, and New Year greetings with park characters in traditional Japanese clothing. The countdown moment is scheduled for 11:50 p.m.–12:05 a.m.; show times may change.
This suits travelers who want a lively theme-park celebration and can keep the next morning flexible. If your priority is a rested day of rides with young children, consider whether an overnight event fits your group before buying.
When and Where Can You Buy Tickets?
| Sale | 2026 schedule (JST) | Booking route |
|---|---|---|
| Lawson Ticket presale | October 23, noon–November 3, 11:59 p.m. | Web only; first come, first served. The announced window does not guarantee remaining stock; check the selected product. |
| General sale | November 4, around 9:00 p.m. | Only if ticket allocations remain. USJ’s official Web Ticket Store, Lawson Ticket, and participating official hotels for their guests. |
The October presale is not a lottery and does not accept applications through in-store Loppi terminals. Check the Lawson Ticket event listing (Japanese) for the current status of each product. The event listing and individual product screens may show different sales stages or availability; check the admission ticket itself. An Express Pass alone does not include event admission, so buying an available add-on will not secure entry to the countdown.
A sold-out product or seller allocation does not establish that every admission package is sold out. For the general sale, start with USJ’s official countdown ticket page (Japanese) to check the current purchase links and products. Do not assume every ticket package will be available through every seller.
Can You Book the Lawson Presale from Overseas?
Lawson’s booking FAQ, under the ticket-purchase question, states that presales require membership and that registration is limited to residents of Japan. The event’s application page also requires completed mobile-number verification. A Japanese-language website alone is therefore not the only hurdle for a visitor living abroad.
If you are a Japan resident who can meet those requirements, check the product’s availability before registering or buying an add-on. Complete registration and verification before attempting a purchase, and check the payment and collection instructions before confirming.
If you live overseas, check USJ’s official ticket page again before the announced general sale. Confirm that the sale will proceed, that your chosen product includes admission, and that you can use its payment and collection methods. Lawson’s general-sale listing includes online and Lawson-store purchase routes, but this does not guarantee that every overseas visitor can complete an online order. A participating official hotel may be another route for its guests; confirm its ticket allocation and booking conditions directly before reserving a room for that purpose.
A Regular Studio Pass Will Not Get You into the Midnight Celebration
A December 31 Studio Pass allows daytime access only until 5:00 p.m. The park closes from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. before the countdown event begins. Buying an ordinary December 31 ticket does not let you stay for midnight.
A January 1 Studio Pass permits entry from 2:00 a.m. on January 1, after the midnight celebration. Choose the Party Pass if the countdown itself is the reason for your visit.
Optional event Express Passes and special-viewing products are also offered. Check whether a product includes the Party Pass or is an add-on before paying; an attraction Express Pass is not a substitute for event admission.
Plan Your Break, Accommodation, and Journey Back
Re-entry makes a nearby room useful if you want to celebrate at midnight, sleep, and return later on January 1. To rest after midnight, book accommodation for the night of December 31; a January 1 reservation normally starts later that day. Confirm check-in and overnight access with the property.
Compare the Universal City area with other bases in our guide to where to stay in Osaka. For this event, the ability to walk back to your room may matter more than convenience for daytime sightseeing.
Check the railway’s actual New Year timetable before relying on a train after the fireworks. The park’s overnight opening hours do not establish overnight train service. If your plan depends on a late departure, resolve that journey before making nonrefundable arrangements.
Bring warm layers for outdoor waiting and leave time to rest before your next journey. If you arrive in Osaka on December 31, allow room for flight delays, hotel check-in, and getting to the park rather than planning around the last possible connection.
What to Know About SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
The 26-hour event does not mean every attraction operates continuously. USJ says SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will close temporarily for maintenance. Its Area Timed Entry Tickets or lottery-based entry tickets will be issued through the official USJ app, with issuance limited to once per person during the full event period.
If Nintendo attractions are your main reason to visit, review the event-specific access conditions and any guaranteed-entry option before choosing a ticket. Do not build your plan around repeated area-entry ticket requests across December 31 and January 1.
Information checked November 1, 2026 (JST). Sales schedules and remaining allocations may change; check the selected product before making travel arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Party Pass the same price for adults and children?
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Lawson lists the same price for adults, children, and seniors. Children age 3 and younger enter free; everyone else needs their own ticket.
- Can I cancel a Lawson Party Pass if my plans change?
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The Lawson application conditions do not allow cancellation or changes after purchase. Confirm your dates, group size, and travel plans before paying.
- Do I need to collect a Lawson ticket in Japan?
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Follow the collection instructions supplied with your booking. The presale application describes a printed QR-code ticket and says reserved USJ tickets cannot be collected at Ministop. Keep the ticket for entry and re-entry.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Build the rest of your stay with our Osaka travel guide. If you are flying into Kansai, compare Kansai Airport routes to Osaka before choosing your arrival-day schedule.
