Super Nintendo World, Nintendo-themed area in Osaka, Japan
Super Nintendo World is a themed area inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. Several zones include Bowser's Castle, Princess Peach's Castle, and pathways filled with characters from Mario games.
Nintendo and Universal announced their partnership in May 2015, and construction at Universal Studios Japan began with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 8, 2017. The opening, first planned before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and took place on March 18, 2021. The land cost more than ¥60 billion, exceeding the investment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The area draws on characters and settings from Nintendo video games that many guests have known since childhood. Visitors encounter familiar elements like question mark blocks and green pipes taken directly from the digital worlds.
Guests need both an entry ticket for Universal Studios Japan and a timed-entry code or Express Pass for this area. Access passes are often distributed early in the day, so arriving at the park on time helps secure entry.
The Power-Up Band is a wrist-worn device that links to the Universal Studios app; tapping question blocks and completing activities records virtual coins, stamps and keys. Collecting enough keys unlocks the boss battle of the Key Challenges. Some bands also work as amiibo with compatible Nintendo Switch games.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,189 contributors worldwide.
