Theme Park Report
Universal Studios Japan could expand onto adjacent land owned by the city of Osaka in a project reportedly worth between 200 billion and 300 billion yen, or approximately $1.2 billion to $1.8 billion. Blooloop reported a potential cost of up to $1.88 billion.
The expansion was first reported by Nikkei and could add new attractions in an area near the existing park. WDW News Today reported that the site is a former factory property north of Universal Studios Japan, while Theme Park Insider described the area as nearly 15 acres of Osaka-owned land.
Universal has not confirmed the reported expansion. According to WDW News Today, the park operator could sign a leasing agreement with Osaka’s municipal government around 2028. Theme Park Insider also reported that Osaka’s mayor posted on social media that an announcement is expected next Thursday, though the supplied reports do not identify the details of that expected announcement.
If developed, the project would reportedly be the first expansion of Universal Studios Japan since the park opened in 2001. Nikkei’s reported plans are intended to increase the number of annual visitors, with the park already attracting 16 million guests. Theme Park Insider cited the 2024 TEA Global Experience Index as recording 16 million visitors and ranking Universal Studios Japan as the world’s third-most-popular theme park.
The reported development concerns additional land and attractions rather than a confirmed attraction lineup. No specific rides, themed lands, opening date, or construction schedule has been announced in the supplied reports.
Universal Studios Japan has previously announced plans for a new Pokémon experience, according to Theme Park Insider, but the outlet did not establish that the proposed Pokémon project is part of this reported expansion. For now, the Osaka land project remains unconfirmed while potential leasing discussions and a future announcement are reported to be under consideration.
