Universal Studios Japan (ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン) is the first Universal Studios found outside of the US. It is located in Osaka, the 2nd largest city in Japan.
There are 18 attractions, 20 theme restaurants and lots of stores in the large park.
The park is similar to Universal Orlando Resort in US, containing many of the same rides. Most visitors are Japanese tourists or tourists from other Asian countries such as South Korea, China, and Taiwan. In 2005 Goldman Sachs became the largest shareholder in Universal Studios Japan although Universal still has a minority stake in the park. The park was opened on March 31, 2001.
Even if you have visited the Universal Studios in the US, this one won't bore you. Some attractions, such as Snoopy Studio and Universal Studios Motion Picture Magic, are Universal Studios Japan's original. Also, there is a Japanese restaurant called Saido in New York Area of the park.
There are 18 attractions found there and my personal favourite is The Spider-Man Ride. Do remember that this park is exclusively for the Japanese market, therefore all of the attractions are in Japanese. However, there are a few attractions that have limited English translation kits beside the seats. These translation kits are usually located at the BACK row of the theater.
On 9th March 2007, a new attraction was introduced called HOLLYWOOD DREAM THE RIDE.
It is an outdoor, roller-coaster tyed ride attraction themed around 'Hollywood Dreams'. The ride zips along a track approximately 1300 metres in length that rises, dips and curves over and around the Hollywood area.
Once aboard the ride, you will get the feeling that you are flying in a luxurious car overlooking Hollywood, the movie capital of the world! It's truly a completely new sensation unlike anything that you have ever experienced.
Hundreds of LED lights are attached to each car and you can't help but noticed the galaxies of lights mounted on the body of the roller-coaster shinning and twinkling differently with the movement of the ride.
Seen from below (from ground level), It looks like a shooting star streaking across the sky over Hollywood.
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