Universal Studios Japan (operated by USJ LLC) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its opening on March 31, 2026. A special "25th Anniversary Ceremony" was held before the park opened, bringing together park characters, entertainers, and crew members to welcome guests on this milestone day.
25th Anniversary Ceremony
Around 7:00 AM near the entrance, the anniversary ceremony kicked off to a large crowd of guests who had arrived early in anticipation of the park's opening. Entertainers dressed in colorful 25th anniversary costumes were joined by park favorites including Elmo, Hello Kitty, the Minions, and Snoopy, along with beloved characters such as the Blues Brothers and Doc Brown from "Back to the Future" in a surprise appearance at the entrance.
Before the ceremony, USJ LLC President Taku Murayama addressed the crowd: "We have been able to reach this milestone thanks to the support of so many guests. We are truly grateful." The park characters then delivered a special performance exclusive to this day, drawing loud applause and cheers from the gathered guests, bringing the 25th anniversary morning to a peak of excitement.
Anniversary Greeting with Record-Breaking Crew Participation
After the gates opened, an "Anniversary Greeting" was held, with crew members (staff) welcoming guests holding 25th anniversary parade flags. Approximately 650 crew members gathered — the largest number ever for an anniversary greeting — each sharing 25 years of gratitude with guests and celebrating the park's "birthday" together with smiles and joy.
Special Exhibition: "Back to 2001 Diorama Gallery Discover U!!!"
Also debuting on this day is the limited-time historical exhibition "Back to 2001 Diorama Gallery Discover U!!!" inside the park, featuring dioramas (three-dimensional scale models), photo galleries, and color boards from the park's opening in 2001. The exhibition attracted many fans eager to reminisce about the park's early days and share their memories.
The first phase of the exhibition runs through May 28 (Thursday), displaying models recreating the area from the main gate to the entrance and the Hollywood Area beneath the canopy. Exhibition content is scheduled to rotate throughout the run, offering visitors new reasons to return and relive 25-year-old memories.
Exhibition Schedule:
- Phase 1: March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) – May 28 (Thursday)
- Phase 2: May 29 (Friday) – late July (scheduled)
- Phase 3: Late July – early September (scheduled)
Venue: Annual Pass Center inside the park
Guests Share Their Experiences
Visitors who came to mark the occasion shared their thoughts:
"It was wonderful to see a show with the atmosphere of a parade. I actually wanted to come to the park just as much as my child did, so I left home before sunrise and took the first train. I was able to see a beautiful scene in the morning and felt energized. The crew waved and gave high-fives with big smiles, and that connection with the crew was even more enjoyable than the show itself. Seeing my child having fun was also wonderful. We'll be back!" (Two women with children, residents of Osaka Prefecture)
"Since the park's birthday is close to my own, I come here every year for this day — this time I stayed overnight after traveling from Shizuoka! This year was even more exciting because it's the 25th anniversary, and I was also happy that the crew along the route celebrated my birthday. Universal Studios Japan is fun because the crew members talk to you so much. I want to celebrate my birthday here again next year!" (Two women, residents of Shizuoka Prefecture)
Original Design Manhole Covers to Be Installed Across Osaka
As part of initiatives under a comprehensive partnership agreement concluded with the City of Osaka in February, Universal Studios Japan has begun installing original design manhole covers across the city. Installation started on March 31, 2026 at five locations in Osaka: Fukushima, Tanimachi 4-chome, Shin-Osaka, Osaka Dome, and Sakuranomiya. The remaining 20 locations are scheduled for installation in stages. The project involves USJ LLC donating five original manhole cover designs to the City of Osaka for installation at a total of 25 locations across the city, aiming to further boost Osaka tourism.
The 25th Anniversary Theme: "Discover U!!!"
The 25th anniversary theme "Discover U!!!" carries two meanings: "Discover You" — encountering a version of yourself beyond your imagination — and "Discover USJ" — rediscovering the power of entertainment through 25 years of the park's history.
Anniversary programs are scheduled to run throughout the year through March 30, 2027 (Tuesday). From the day the park opened on March 31, 2001, a quarter century of growth has been made possible by the continued support of guests and crew. Looking ahead to the next 25 years, the park aims to continue contributing to the growth of Osaka, the Kansai region, and Japan's tourism industry.
