As Universal Studios Japan continues to recover from its extended COVID-19 closure, attendance is still not in a particularly good spot. So, the park is attempting to sweeten the pot, so to speak, for holders of Annual Studio Passes by canceling blackout dates and adding benefits for VIP-level passholders.
Blackout dates set for August and September have been cancelled for holders of the standard Annual Studio Pass. Mid-August and parts of September are traditionally blocked out for heavy travel dates like Obon and Silver Week.
Additionally, a slew of benefits is on the way for holders of the VIP Annual Studio Pass, the highest tier of the annual pass. Universal Studios Japan has opened the sponsor lounge at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D, formerly occupied by Japan Airlines, to holders of VIP Annual Studio Passes through December 31st.
Additionally, VIP-level Passholders are entitled to one free Express Pass per visit for an attraction of their choice through December 31st. The eligible attractions are as follows:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D
- Hollywood Dream: The Ride (Excluding Backdrop)
- Jurassic Park: The Ride
- JAWS
The Flying Dinosaur is notably absent from this list. Passholders may pick up their free Express Pass at the VIP lounge.
Also, a 30% discount on food and merchandise is also now in effect for holders of the VIP-level pass through December 31st. And finally, the price of the Companion Studio Pass has been cut from ¥7800 ($73.64) to ¥6600 ($62.31) from September 1st through the end of the year.
Hopefully, these measures will help reinvigorate the visitor levels at Universal Studios Japan. However, a majority of Annual Passholders in Osaka only hold the mid-tier pass, so it seems unlikely that this will spur a major impact.