Want to welcome 2027 at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka? Lawson Ticket’s first-come, first-served presale for NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2027 opens on October 23, 2026, at noon Japan time. The event combines midnight fireworks, special entertainment, and park access through the following evening.
Before setting your alarm, check whether you can use the booking channel. The Lawson presale requires membership and phone-number verification, and Lawson’s guidance limits membership registration to residents of Japan. If you live overseas, the general sale scheduled for November 4 is the next announced opportunity to check.
Information checked October 22, 2026 (JST). Sales have not yet opened; ticket availability and event details may change.
What Is USJ’s Countdown 2027?
The event runs from 7:00 p.m. on December 31, 2026, to 9:00 p.m. on January 1, 2027—a maximum of 26 hours. You need a dedicated Party Pass, priced at ¥16,900 including tax. You can leave and return during its validity period, so you do not have to spend the entire night inside the park.
The appeal is a New Year’s celebration built around USJ’s 25th anniversary: a special stage program, fireworks around midnight, and New Year greetings with park characters in traditional Japanese clothing. The countdown moment is scheduled for 11:50 p.m.–12:05 a.m.; show times may change.
This suits travelers who want a lively theme-park celebration and can keep the next morning flexible. If your priority is a rested day of rides with young children, consider whether an overnight event fits your group before buying.
When and Where Can You Buy Tickets?
| Sale | 2026 schedule (JST) | Booking route |
|---|---|---|
| Lawson Ticket presale | October 23, noon–November 3, 11:59 p.m. | Web only; first come, first served. Membership and phone verification required. |
| General sale | November 4, around 9:00 p.m. | USJ’s official Web Ticket Store, Lawson Ticket, and participating partner hotels for their guests. |
The October presale is not a lottery, and you cannot apply through an in-store Loppi terminal. Open the Lawson Ticket event listing (Japanese) and choose the Party Pass presale. Tickets are limited; the advertised closing date does not guarantee availability until then.
For the general sale, start with USJ’s official countdown ticket page (Japanese) to check the current purchase links and products. Do not assume every ticket package will be available through every seller.
Can You Book the Lawson Presale from Overseas?
Lawson’s guidance for non-Japanese users says presales require membership, with registration available only to residents of Japan. The event’s application page also requires completed mobile-number verification. A Japanese-language website alone is therefore not the only hurdle for a visitor living abroad.
If you are a Japan resident who can meet those requirements, complete registration and verification before the sale opens. Register in the name of a person who will attend; Lawson warns that a different purchaser and attendee may invalidate the ticket. Check the payment and collection instructions before confirming.
If you live overseas, use the November 4 official sale as your next booking checkpoint. Its announcement is not a guarantee that your preferred payment method or ticket package will be supported. A participating partner hotel may be another route if you are staying there, but confirm its event-ticket arrangements directly before booking a room for that purpose.
A Regular Studio Pass Will Not Get You into the Midnight Celebration
A December 31 Studio Pass allows daytime access only until 5:00 p.m. The park closes from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. before the countdown event begins. Buying an ordinary December 31 ticket does not let you stay for midnight.
A January 1 Studio Pass permits entry from 2:00 a.m. on January 1, after the midnight celebration. Choose the Party Pass if the countdown itself is the reason for your visit.
Optional event Express Passes and special-viewing products are also offered. Check whether a product includes the Party Pass or is an add-on before paying; an attraction Express Pass is not a substitute for event admission.
Plan Your Break, Accommodation, and Journey Back
Re-entry makes a nearby room useful if you want to celebrate at midnight, sleep, and return later on January 1. To rest after midnight, book accommodation for the night of December 31; a January 1 reservation normally starts later that day. Confirm check-in and overnight access with the property.
Compare the Universal City area with other bases in our guide to where to stay in Osaka. For this event, the ability to walk back to your room may matter more than convenience for daytime sightseeing.
Check the railway’s actual New Year timetable before relying on a train after the fireworks. The park’s overnight opening hours do not establish overnight train service. If your plan depends on a late departure, resolve that journey before making nonrefundable arrangements.
Bring warm layers for outdoor waiting and leave time to rest before your next journey. If you arrive in Osaka on December 31, allow room for flight delays, hotel check-in, and getting to the park rather than planning around the last possible connection.
What to Know About SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
The 26-hour event does not mean every attraction operates continuously. USJ says SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will close temporarily for maintenance. Its Area Timed Entry Tickets or Standby Entry Tickets will be issued through the official USJ app, with only one such ticket issued per person during the full event period.
If Nintendo attractions are your main reason to visit, review the event-specific access conditions and any guaranteed-entry option before choosing a ticket. Do not build your plan around repeated area-entry ticket requests across December 31 and January 1.
Official Information
For current sales information and event conditions, check these official sources:
USJ: Countdown 2027 event overview (English)
USJ: Event tickets and packages (Japanese)
Lawson Ticket: Event listing and sales conditions (Japanese)
Lawson Ticket: Guidance for non-Japanese users
USJ: September 28 announcement and admission schedule (Japanese)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Party Pass the same price for adults and children?
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Lawson lists the same price for adults, children, and seniors. Children age 3 and younger enter free; everyone else needs their own ticket.
- Can I cancel a Lawson Party Pass if my plans change?
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The Lawson application conditions do not allow cancellation or changes after purchase. Confirm your dates, group size, and travel plans before paying.
- Do I need to collect a Lawson ticket in Japan?
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Follow the collection instructions supplied with your booking. The presale application describes a printed QR-code ticket and says reserved USJ tickets cannot be collected at Ministop. Keep the ticket for entry and re-entry.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Build the rest of your stay with our Osaka travel guide. If you are flying into Kansai, compare Kansai Airport routes to Osaka before choosing your arrival-day schedule.
