Girl Lost in Universal Studios Osaka!

I was so happy that this AirAsia X Japan trip brought us straight to the Guest Services section of Universal Studios Osaka. The thrills included being escorted by the marketing manager, not having to line up, getting Universal Express Passes and them letting us lose in another theme park in Japan apart from Tokyo Disneyland! Universal Studios in Osaka holds a special spot in my heart because I got lost there a few years back. Of all the places, right?!

My Lost in Universal Osaka side-story: It was my first taste of losing myself for a while because the tour group suddenly disappeared outside of the park and everybody was going to dinner in another place. I could not speak the language, my phone was not working, I only had around 100 yen in my pocket and I had limited vision (I took out my contact lens and didn’t have my eyeglasses with me). After much effort to calm myself down, I went into a Citywalk hotel, pleaded and sign language-d my way for them to call my hotel and hoped that my front desk had the tour guide’s number. I had also concluded that an address and a phone number in the hotel key card, another hotel and having a clear mind could save you when traveling.

Going to Universal Osaka involved walking and taking the Rapid Express Samomiya train (200 yen, go in Namba 15-A Exit from the Hotel Vista Grande Osaka, make sure you don’t miss the train) and transferring to the JR Line Nishikujo to Universal City (1600 yen).

We ended up in Citywalk (where I got lost before, see story above) then we walked a little to the entrance of Universal Studios.

We were just in time for the 10th Year Celebration of this particular Universal Studios!

You’ll see a lot of characters represented in Universal Studios Osaka – from Snoopy to Sesame Street to Hello Kitty to other new and old action stars.

I love the Hollywood Dream – a very high speed roller coaster.

One unique feature of this ride is that you can select your own music that will blast in the individual speakers located in the seats. You have to remember to change your music selection before takeoff or else you will be stuck with number 1. I always choose Eminem’s Lose Yourself to remind myself to let go, be carefree and well… lose myself in the moment.

Here’s Mel’s Drive In haha. I love the movie-set like installations in Universal like this. You are always transported to another era.

Jaws was closed

but taking a picture here is one of the popular things to do in Universal Studios.

Face painting looks so cool.

I love amusing park snacks as well like these Hello Kitty buns (like siopao filling) and Snoopy buns (sweet dessert filling).

I have only seen these in Universal Osaka.

The Jurassic Park ride was not as scary after all. Plus, you don’t get wet as much.

For lunch, there was the Discovery Restaurant

with the dinosaur bones a la a Night at the Museum.

I had the Raptor Barrel (1420 yen), with grilled beef, a yummy sausage on a bone (which you can also find outside with the snacks), a baked potato and rice. One foodie discovery was the Hokkaido Butter (you can get this at the condiments section!) which I put on my rice like my mates were doing. You should try definitely it when you see one!

We went in to see Backdraft and Steven Spielberg. I’ve seen it a lot of times and some people just love it. I like the alternative Lights Camera Action in Universal Studios Singapore better.

I haven’t gone to the Back to the Future ride in a long time and it was still a classic!

The Spider-man ride was awesome. I stole this shot with Spiderman too hehe.

There’s a cool installation next to it where you can get a 3D shot that I only found out later =(

I super loved the Space Fantasy Ride. It’s a cross between Space Mountain and the Haunted House in Tokyo Disneyland! And I think this is cooler because instead of monsters, you stare into space and the “universe”.

Finally, I found the Snoopy gang crossing the street! Hehehe.

That’s all the time we had, folks! And we used up those Express Passes haha.

I loved every brick and road and design of the installations at Universal Studios Osaka. The best part – no running cars in the streets.

You’ll also find the Happiness Café here.

Most of all, if you look around, the excited Japanese guys and gals in face stickers and kawaii Universal Studios merchandise remind you that you are in Japan and that it is okay to love amusement parks at any age. It's very easy to lose yourself here and let your hair down. I can't wait for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to open here in 2014!