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Universal Studios Japan

Coordinates: 34°39′53″N 135°25′59″E / 34.66472°N 135.43306°E / 34.66472; 135.43306
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Universal Studios Japan
File:USJ Globe.JPG
The Universal Globe
LocationKonohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
Coordinates34°39′53″N 135°25′59″E / 34.66472°N 135.43306°E / 34.66472; 135.43306
OpenedMarch 31, 2001
OwnerUSJ Co., Ltd.
Operated byUSJ Co., Ltd.
Attendance8,000,000 (2010)
Area54 ha (108 acres)
Websitewww.usj.co.jp/e
Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン), located in Osaka, is one of four Universal Studios theme parks, owned and operated by USJ Co., Ltd. with a license from NBCUniversal The park is similar to Universal Orlando Resort, since it also contains selected attractions from Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Most visitors are Japanese tourists and tourists from other Asian countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. In 2005 Goldman Sachs became the largest shareholder in Universal Studios Japan. The park opened on March 31, 2001. Universal Studios Japan reached the milestone of attracting the first 10 million visitors faster than any other theme park in the world. Total 11 million guests visited Universal Studios Japan in its first year of operation.[1] USJ is believed[by whom?] to have attracted 8.8 million visitors in fiscal year 2011, although the company does not officially disclose the number. The number of visitors had been in a downtrend after the highest attendance was recorded in the first year. Fiscal 2011 was the 10th anniversary year and various commemorative events were implemented. As a result, attendance in the year achieved growth from the previous year’s approx. 8 million.[2] Universal Studios Japan greeted its 100 millionth visitor on October 29, 2012, Monday, since its opening in 2001.[3] According to 2011 Theme Index Global Attraction Attendance Report, Universal Studios Japan is ranked ninth among the top 25 amusement/theme parks worldwide, attracting 8.5 million visitors in 2011, which is 4.2% larger than in the previous year.[4]

Attractions

The attractions are arranged in nine areas of the park.[5] A tenth area, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, will open by 2014 with its flagship attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The area will be modelled on the areas of the same names at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood.[6]

New York

Hollywood

4-D Theatre

San Francisco

Jurassic Park

Snoopy Studios

Snoopy Studios entrance
  • Snoopy's Great Race
  • Peppermint Patty's Stunt Slide
  • The Flying Snoopy

Hello Kitty Fashion Avenue

  • Hello Kitty's Cupcake Dream
  • Hello Kitty's Ribbon Collection

Sesame Street Fun Zone

Elmo's Imagination Playland:

  • Elmo's Bubble Bubble
  • Abby's Magical Party
  • Moppy's Lucky Dance Party
  • Big Bird's Big Nest
  • Grover's Construction Company
  • Bert and Ernie's Wonder-The Sea

Sesame Central Park:

  • Sesame's Big Drive
  • Big Bird's Climbing Nest
  • Abby's Magical Tree
  • Abby's Magical Garden
  • Water Garden
  • Cookie Monster Slide
  • Ernie's Rubber Duckie Race

Sesame Street Plaza:

  • Elmo's Little Drive
  • Big Bird's Big Top Circus

Lagoon

Water World

Amity Village

Former attractions

The former E.T. Adventure
  • The Western Area, and with it The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show and the Animal Actors show, were revamped to become Land of Oz in 2006. This involved completely re-theming two live shows, one restaurant, and a number of retail facilities.
    • The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show was a live stunt show based upon a wide variety of Universal's Western films. Opening on 31 March 2001, in the Western Town section of the park, the show featured several cowboy-themed actors surviving death-defying stunts, shootings and explosions.[7][8] The show closed in 2006 and has since been replaced by Wicked.
  • E.T. Adventure has been replaced by Space Fantasy: The Ride.
  • Monster Make-Up has been closed and its replacement is unknown.

Land of Oz (closed in 2011)

Awards

  • Animation Celebration
    • 2002 THEA Award (presented by TEA) WINNER in Attraction,[11]
  • Peter Pan's Neverland
    • 2007 THEA Award (presented by TEA) WINNER in Event Spectacular,[12]
  • The Gift of Angels
    • 2009 Big E Award, Best Overall Production, (presented by IIAPA) WINNER in Best Overall Production more than $2 million,[13]
  • Magical Starlight Parade
    • 2009 Big E Award, Best Overall Production, (presented by IIAPA) Honorary Mention in Best Overall Production more than $2 million,[14]

Attendance

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Worldwide rank
8,300,000[15] 8,000,000[16] 8,160,000[17] 8,500,000[18] 9,700,000[19] 9

Official hotels

Hotel Kintetsu Universal City (left) and Hotel Keihan Universal Tower (right)

There are five official hotels at or near the park.

  • Hotel Keihan Universal City.
  • Hotel Kintetsu Universal City.
  • Hotel Keihan Universal Tower.
  • Hotel Universal Port.
  • Hotel Seagull Tempozan Osaka. (10 minute boat ride away at Osaka Bay.)[20]

Universal CityWalk Osaka

Universal CityWalk Osaka

Universal CityWalk Osaka links the JR train station with the park entrance. It is a 3 floors shopping mall filled with numerous shops and restaurants, including a Takoyaki museum.[21]

Awards

In 2011, USJ's Christmas tree was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most illuminated Christmas tree in the world having 260,498 lights.[22]

Incidents

In November 2004, a 35-year-old woman from Osaka Prefecture suffered nerve damage in her right wrist, affecting the use of two of her fingers. This occurred when her hand got stuck in a safety bar of the E.T. attraction as an employee pulled it down to secure it.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Universal Studios Japan Welcomes 11". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  2. ^ Nikkei electronic version. 2012-05-18. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "Universal Studios Japan visitors top 100 million". Retrieved 2 JNov 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ "2011Theme Index Global Attraction Attendance Report" (PDF). Retrieved 15 Jun 2012.
  5. ^ "Universal Studios Japan Attraction/Studio Guide". usj.co.jp. Retrieved 2006-11-19.
  6. ^ Fritz, Ben (9 May 2012). "Harry Potter heads to Universal Studios Japan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  7. ^ Strother, Susan G. (12 July 1991). "Universal Kicks Off Western Show". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  8. ^ "USJ theme park has continued to misuse explosives". Japan Weekly Monitor. 19 August 2002. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  9. ^ "SCREAMSCAPE Presents - The 2001 Ultimate Awards". 2002-09-18. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  10. ^ "The Theme Park Insider Awards". Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  11. ^ a b "Thea Recipients". Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  12. ^ "14th Annual THEA Awards". Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  13. ^ "IAAPA 2009 BIG E AWARDS". Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  14. ^ "IAAPA 2009 Big E Awards Recognize Top-Notch Live Entertainment in the Attractions Industry Europe, Japan, and United States Productions Stand Out in 2009". 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  15. ^ "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  16. ^ "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  17. ^ "TEA/AECOM 2010 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  18. ^ "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  19. ^ http://www.aecom.com/deployedfiles/Internet/Capabilities/Economics/_documents/2012%20Theme%20Index%20Combined_1-1_online.pdf. Retrieved 19 June 2013. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ "Universal Studios Japan Official hotels". Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  21. ^ "Universal CityWalk Osaka". Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  22. ^ "Quick Hits". Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  23. ^ "USJ settles with woman hurt on E.T. attraction". The Daily Yomiuri. 2000-11-24. Retrieved 2006-12-15. [dead link]
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