Universal may be preparing to dramatically expand one of its busiest theme parks.
For years, Universal Studios Japan has added major attractions without substantially increasing the size of the Osaka park itself. Since opening in 2001, the resort has introduced Harry Potter, Minions, Nintendo, and other blockbuster properties largely by redeveloping land within its existing boundaries.
That strategy has helped turn Universal Studios Japan into Japan’s most-visited individual theme park. An estimated 16 million guests visited in 2024, exceeding Tokyo Disneyland’s reported attendance of approximately 15.1 million during the same year.
Now, a new report suggests Universal is considering its biggest physical expansion of the resort in 25 years, backed by an investment potentially worth as much as $1.88 billion.
Universal Eyes Land Outside Existing Theme Park
According to Nikkei, Universal is considering investing between 200 billion yen and 300 billion yen — approximately $1.25 billion to $1.88 billion — into an expansion of Universal Studios Japan.
The project would reportedly use approximately 60,000 square meters of land immediately north of the existing theme park. The site previously housed a Nippon Steel factory and includes property owned by Osaka’s municipal government.
Nikkei reports that Universal’s operator could enter into a lease agreement with Osaka around 2028 for the city-owned portion of the site.
If the project moves forward, it would mark a major departure from how Universal Studios Japan has historically grown. Despite numerous additions since 2001, the resort has largely remained within the physical footprint established when the theme park first opened.
Universal has not confirmed the reported project. A spokesperson for Universal Destinations & Experiences told Reuters that the company has not confirmed any expansion plans for Universal Studios Japan.
There are also no confirmed details about which franchises or attractions could occupy the additional land.
The extra space would nevertheless give Universal considerably more flexibility as attendance continues to climb. The Osaka park already operates some of the company’s most popular attractions within a relatively compact site.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD has become particularly important to the resort since opening in 2021. Universal expanded the area in late 2024 with Donkey Kong Country, adding Mine Cart Madness alongside Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and other Nintendo experiences.
Demand can be high enough that Universal uses timed-entry requirements for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD during busy periods, limiting access once the area reaches capacity.
Elsewhere, Universal Studios Japan features The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minion Park, JAWS, Hollywood Dream – The Ride, Jurassic Park – The Ride, and WaterWorld.
The resort also regularly rotates limited-time entertainment and collaborations tied to Japanese entertainment properties. Its current 25th anniversary programming has been joined by attractions and events involving franchises including One Piece and Frieren.
Universal Continues Expanding Around the World
The reported Osaka project comes as Universal continues one of the most aggressive expansion periods in its theme park history.
Since late 2024, the company has opened Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan, Minion Land in Singapore, and Epic Universe in Orlando, its first new major theme park in Florida since Islands of Adventure debuted in 1999.
Universal has also expanded into new types of destinations. Universal Horror Unleashed opened in Las Vegas, while Universal Kids Resort debuted in Frisco, Texas, as a smaller theme park aimed primarily at families with young children.
More projects are already planned. Universal has announced a second Horror Unleashed location in Chicago, although details about its development timeline have remained limited.
The company is also pursuing plans for its first theme park and resort in the United Kingdom. The Bedford development will further expand Universal’s international portfolio beyond its existing destinations in the United States and Asia.
Against that backdrop, a major investment in Universal Studios Japan would allow Universal to increase capacity at one of its most established and heavily attended parks.
The resort’s popularity has also grown alongside Japan’s broader tourism boom, bringing more international visitors through its gates while demand for attractions based on Nintendo and other Japanese properties remains strong.
Until now, introducing major new experiences has frequently meant redeveloping existing areas rather than simply adding new land. An additional 60,000 square meters could reduce that pressure and give Universal room to build without necessarily removing established attractions first.
The reported expansion remains at an early stage, and Universal has not announced a construction schedule or confirmed that the project will proceed.
However, if the company ultimately moves forward with the plans outlined by Nikkei, the development would represent Universal Studios Japan’s most significant physical expansion since the resort opened 25 years ago.
For a park that has spent decades fitting increasingly ambitious attractions into the same footprint, that could make the next phase of Universal Studios Japan considerably larger than anything that came before it.
What would you like to see Universal add to an expanded Universal Studios Japan?
