Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is planning a significant expansion, as reported by Nikkei. The project is estimated to cost between 200 and 300 billion yen. It will make use of 60,000 square meters of nearby land owned by Osaka City and others to develop new attractions.
As inbound tourists to Japan grow, the park, which is the most-visited in the country with 16 million annual visitors, seeks to boost its appeal and increase guest numbers. Universal Studios Japan is also the third most-visited theme park in the world.
This marks the first expansion of the park grounds since its opening in 2001.
Japan's most visited theme park set to grow
Nikkei reported that Universal Japan plans to expand onto a former Nippon Steel factory site located north of its current grounds. The park’s operator is anticipated to sign a lease with the Osaka municipal government for the city-owned section of the land.
A representative from Universal Destinations & Experiences stated to Reuters that the company has not confirmed expansion plans for Universal Studios Japan, as covered by Channel News Asia and The Straits Times.
Earlier this summer, Universal Studios Japan revealed that it is adding an intense attraction to this year's Halloween Horror Nights exclusively for guests aged 18 and over. The new experience, which requires guests to sign a waiver before entry, is the first in Halloween Horror Nights history to be limited to visitors 18 and over.
Universal has been growing its theme park portfolio, adding Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, in May 2025; the new Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, in July 2026; and the planned Universal United Kingdom Resort, set to open in Bedford, UK, in 2031.
Standalone horror experiences were also added last year, with the opening of Universal Horror Unleashed in August 2025 and a second venue planned for Chicago in 2027.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
