Guide to the 25th Anniversary Celebrations at Universal Studios Japan

Say, “Happy Birthday,” because Universal Studios Japan (USJ) just turned 25! Can you believe it? Finally old enough to rent a car. And when our Osaka-based theme park celebrates, it celebrates big. The 25th Anniversary Celebrations at Universal Studios Japan are jam-packed with festivities totally worth hopping over the Pacific.

Bursting with excitement already? Here are all your need-to-knows:

• Universal Studios Japan is celebrating its 25th anniversary with special themed decor, merch, food, ride overlays, live performances, and more.
• NO LIMIT!!! Parade — Discover U!!! Version is a special, limited-time parade including floats, performers and characters from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Hello Kitty, Peanuts, Illumination’s Minions, Sesame Street, Sing, and Pokémon. f
• The Universal Studios Japan 25th Anniversary festivities run from March 6, 2026 through March 30, 2027, only in Osaka, Japan.

If you visit USJ during the 25th Anniversary celebrations, you’ll see much of the theme park decorated in multicolored decor. No matter where you are, it feels like you’re walking through a burst of confetti. You’ll also see the phrase, “DiscoverU!!!” everywhere. While we’d love to think that’s a reference to the Discover Universal Blog, it’s a double-entendre that encapsulates everything the 25th Anniversary is all about: discovering Universal Studios Japan, and in the process, discovering you.

Let’s dig into the fun! Here’s everything you need to know about the 25th Anniversary Celebrations at Universal Studios Japan.

NO LIMIT!!! PARADE | ATTRACTIONS | LIVE MUSIC | FOOD & BEVERAGE | MERCH | UNIVERSAL CARS & STARS

NO LIMIT!!! Parade – Discover U!!! Version

I’m not sure anything in a theme park has brought a smile to my face faster than this parade. This procession featured beloved SUPER NINTENDO WORLD characters, Hello Kitty, the Peanuts Gang, Illumination’s Minions, Sesame Street muppets (including the USJ original, Moppy), the characters from “Sing!”, and, yes, Pokémon.

I never quite realized how badly I needed to see 25 dancing Pikachus at once until I saw 25 dancing Pikachus at once. And the best part? You can get in on the fun and dance with them, too. When the floats stop, the USJ Crew Members invite the crowd into the parade route to groove it up with the whole cast of the NO LIMIT!!! Parade. It’s called Super Discover U!!! time, and I love it.

NO LIMIT!!! Parade runs once per day (typically in the afternoon), and is about 40 minutes long. Check the USJ app to confirm the time of the parade on the day of your visit. It begins near the New York section of the theme park, loops into Hollywood, then back around through New York. Check out the parade map right here:

If you want to prioritize parade-viewing, consider purchasing a ticket for the Special Viewing Area. This zone, located near the New York area of the theme park, is surrounded by the parade route on three sides. That means you’ll see floats in three directions, ensuring you have plenty of time to take in all the fun. During the NO LIMIT!!! Parade, the Special Viewing Area also gets a visit from bona fide Universal royalty, Woody and Winnie Woodpecker.

PRO TIP: That song you’re hearing throughout the parade? That’s “The Power of U,” a high-energy dance jam written especially for USJ. You’ll hear it all over the theme park during these festivities — don’t be surprised if you’re humming along with it real quick.

Pumped Up Attractions

A few of Universal Studios Japan’s attractions are getting in on the 25th Anniversary fun, too! You won’t want to miss out on Hollywood Dream – The Ride.

The standard version of this roller coaster goes like this: Guests choose from a selection of songs to listen to on the ride, then soar and zip across the Hollywood section of the theme park to the sound of your jam of choice. It’s a smooth, exhilarating, dreamy ride. Or, you could ride Hollywood Dream – The Ride: Backdrop — it’s the same attraction, but you ride it backward(!).

For the 25th Anniversary, guests can select from an array of special USJ anniversary songs from over the years on both versions of Hollywood Dream – The Ride. One of those options is “Destiny Journey” by Vaundy, a song written exclusively for the 25th Anniversary, as well as a rotating selection of throwback anniversary anthems. 

Both the standard version of Hollywood Dream – The Ride and the Backdrop version are available throughout the 25th Anniversary festivities.

Hollywood Dream – The Ride isn’t the only USJ attraction doing it up for the 25th. A few attractions are getting extra fun. The WaterWorld show is splashier than ever, so if you don’t want to get wet, definitely make sure you sit toward the back. And the same goes for Jurassic Park – The Ride — they’ve cranked the water features up on this attraction for the 25th, so ride at risk of getting soaked! And over at JAWS, guests will feel more dread lurking beneath, with a mysterious, eerie red mist hovering in the darkest portion of the ride. Dun-dun. Dun-dun. Dun-dun.

Live Music

Something I really love about Universal Studios Japan is how you can just stumble across a live music performance when you’re least expecting it. You could be strolling out of the perfect, campy romp that is the Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show and stumble across a live band playing 90s pop-punk music — it’s called living the dream, folks. That’s especially true during the 25th Anniversary, with its delightful showcase of live music: Right Here, Right Now! Discover U!!! Version.

The lineup features these shows:

• The Power of Rock: U Rock! | This is the show where I heard the aforementioned ‘90s pop-punk. This show celebrates 25 years of USJ with live performances of bold rock songs, sung by Universal performers with stellar vocals.
• The Ultimate Blues Bash | Quite possibly my favorite theme for a show I’ve ever heard. This show features the Blues Brothers, Cookie Monster, Grover and surprise friends in the ultimate blue-on-blue-on-blue-on-blue mashup.
• Kuromi Live: Discover Me, Discover U!!! | This is a can’t-miss for Hello Kitty fans! Beloved Sanrio characters Kuromi and My Melody take to the stage to dance and rock out with a talented band of Universal performers.

These happen throughout the day — check the Universal Studios Japan app to confirm showtimes for the day of your visit.

25th Anniversary Themed Food & Beverage

If Universal Studios Japan knows one thing, it’s how to do a themed menu. The theme park switches up its food and beverage offerings fairly frequently (for every season and every special event), so it’s unlikely you’ll visit twice and see the same menus. The food and beverage offerings for the 25th Anniversary certainly don’t disappoint — they all embody the fun, celebratory spirit of Discover U!!!

Throughout the theme park, you’ll find carts selling these special 25th Anniversary items:

• Caramel Popcorn?! Churritos, which are, you guessed it, churros covered in caramel popcorn. They’re joyful, eye-catching, and impossible to resist.
• The same goes for the Turkey Leg!? Bun. This might look like a classic theme park turkey leg, but don’t let your eyes deceive you! It’s actually a bao bun filled with smoky, spicy meat.

Over at Universal Market (located in-between New York & Illumination’s Minion Land), you’ll find a series of trolleys selling treats.

• If you’re familiar with Kewpie, a popular Japanese mayonnaise brand, the Mayo Mayo Tuna Mayo Corn Bun (say that five times fast) will definitely catch your eye — it’s shaped like a little bottle of Kewpie mayo, red cap and all.
• The Alt Bayern Dog is also an eye-catcher at over 13 inches long, topped with more sausage (yup), bacon and veggies.
• There’s also two flavors of Baskin-Robbins Churritos that are super popular with guests: the very berry Love Potion #31 and the minty Popping Shower. You can’t go wrong with either.

Just a few steps from Universal Market is the San Francisco section of the theme park, where you’ll find Wharf Café. On the menu here is the Yakult Soft Serve Ice Cream Sundae – Mango Flavor. If you’re unfamiliar, Yakult is a popular Japanese, dairy-based probiotic drink — you’ll definitely want to give it a try in dessert form!

Park Side Grille is a sit-down dining venue just across from the Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show. There are two themed offerings here for the anniversary:

• The 25th Anniversary Cocktail – Popcorn Flavor? is a cup full of fun! This low-ABV, gin-based adult beverage is topped with popcorn — because we are at a theme park, after all. You can have it for dining in, or take it to-go.
• For dessert, there’s the Kakubin Whisky-Scented Tiramisu. Appropriate for more refined palates of legal drinking age, it has a sweet taste blended with a subtle aroma of Suntory Kakubin Whisky. It’s a delicious (and festive!) way to end a meal. To-go only.

Several sit-down dining venues throughout the theme park have special 25th Anniversary menu items available, too. Keep an eye out for these dishes:

• At Mel’s Drive-In,the Pulled Pork Burger Meal, which is topped with smoky barbecue sauce, comes with an original 25th Anniversary coaster.
• Similarly, at Louie’s N.Y. Pizza Parlor, the Meatball Pizza Meal — that’s a slice of ‘za topped with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and yes, meatballs) — also comes with a collectible 25th Anniversary coaster.
• Snoopy’s Backlot Café is one of my favorite spots in the park, and their Chicken and Tomato Cream Spaghetti Bowl is a winner for diners of all ages. It includes chunky vegetables and chicken, topped with a cheese topping with Snoopy’s paw print on it.
• The recently renovated Studio Stars Restaurant has an epic, shareable 25th Anniversary Special Meal that includes an XL bone-in steak, a tower of onion rings, and French fries with cheese dipping sauce. I’d suggest sharing this one — or coming very hungry.

Note that menu items are subject to change as the event goes on.

PRO TIP: The Crew Members at Universal Studios Japan are unbelievably friendly, and sometimes, they’ll give you fun little goodies just because. So if you get a special USJ themed sticker with your bao bun, don’t be confused! It’s all part of the fun.

Limited-Time 25th Anniversary Merchandise

It wouldn’t be a real celebration without party favors, right? Throughout the event, you can find apparel and souvenirs themed to the 25th Anniversary — covered in bright, eye-popping, confetti-like colors. Grab T-shirts, plush hats, plush headbands, plush keychains, and more items with beloved characters including Pikachu, Snoopy, Bob the Minion, Hello Kitty, and more. I can say with complete scientific objectivity that the USJ 25th Anniversary offerings are very, very, very cute.

25th Anniversary merchandise is available in-store throughout the theme park, especially at Rodeo Drive Souvenirs and the Universal Studios Store, both in the Hollywood section of the park. You can also explore a store featuring 25th Anniversary merchandise in Hollywood, Space Fantasy Station.

Universal Cars & Stars Collection

During the 25th Anniversary, guests can check out a lineup of legendary cars from Universal films. If you’re a movie fan like me, you definitely won’t want to miss a chance to pose with these iconic wheels. These include:

• The Chicago Fire Department truck from “Backdraft” (1991)
• The Time Machine from “Back to the Future” (1985)
• The Bluesmobile from “The Blues Brothers” (1980)
• The yellow coupe from “American Graffiti” (1973)

You can find this lineup in the Hollywood section of the theme park, tucked behind the Universal Studios Store. And if you’re lucky, you might see some familiar characters in that area for a meet and greet. Keep your eyes peeled!

If you’ve been toying with the idea of adding a Universal day to your trip to Kansai, there’s no better time to go than right now. Again, the 25th Anniversary celebrations run from March 6, 2026 through March 30, 2027 — so the time to book flights is now!

What are you most excited to experience during Universal Studios Japan’s 25th Anniversary celebration? Let us know in the comments below.