Guests are not happy with the rules and restrictions at one Universal park.
Post-pandemic theme parks have only gotten more expensive. Tickets, food, souvenirs, and even basic add-ons can easily push a family day’s expenses far beyond the original budget. As a result, many guests choose to avoid eating in-park, leaving midday to grab cheaper meals elsewhere.
In some cases, leaving the park isn’t just to do with saving money. A midday break can help avoid crowds, heat (especially in the Orlando summer sun), and exhaustion. Families often return refreshed for nighttime entertainment, which is why many parks allow re-entry with the same ticket.
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Universal Studios Hollywood all allow guests to leave and re-enter with no issue. We’ve even seen some guests leaving Disneyland Paris and bringing McDonald’s back into the park in the past.
However, one Universal theme park does not.
Universal Studios Japan’s No Re-Entry Policy
A one-day ticket to Universal Studios Japan can cost around ¥30,000 ($195) for a family, encouraging some visitors to look for savings wherever possible. Many assume they can step outside for lunch at a nearby convenience store or restaurant. But at USJ, leaving the park means you will not be allowed back in.
Tokyo Disneyland allows re-entry. USJ does not—and the rule has caught many visitors off guard.
According to the guidelines on the USJ website, “Food brought in from outside may not be consumed in the Park.” Guests must eat at restaurants or food carts located inside the park. If you bring food in, you may be asked to dispose of it before entering.
There once was a designated picnic area outside the gates, where guests could bring and enjoy their own lunches. However, according to Livedoor News, as of February 2024, that picnic area has been permanently closed.
You can bring drinks in sealed water bottles or plastic bottles, though alcoholic beverages are prohibited. You also can’t bring coffee cups into the park, so forget about picking up a pre-park Starbucks in Universal Citywalk Osaka.
Additionally, admission tickets do not grant re-entry once you exit. Only annual pass holders may re-enter. For everyone else, leaving means no more chances to ride the likes of Jaws, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, or Jurassic Park – The Ride (which recently received a terrifying Halloween overlay), unless you buy an entirely new ticket.
This makes meal planning important, especially for families or guests who spend long hours in the park.
Dining Options at Universal Studios Japan
USJ offers a variety of themed dining options throughout the park.
Popular spots include the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where guests can enjoy themed meals like roast chicken, shepherd’s pie, and butterbeer. Meanwhile, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD features Kinopio’s Café, offering novelty Mario-inspired dishes (which taste as good as they look) and character-themed desserts.
Quick-service dining, snack carts, and seasonal menus are also widely available, but prices are noticeably higher than convenience stores or restaurants outside the park.
Food at Universal Studios Japan is also notably more expensive than Tokyo Disney Resort.
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