Universal Studios Japan reopens to locals after 3-month hiatus

Jun 09, 2020 | News On Japan

Jun 09, 2020 (Japan Today) - Universal Studios Japan reopened its doors Monday to annual pass holders living in Osaka Prefecture after the popular theme park was shut down for about three months due to the spread of the coronavirus.

According to USJ LLC, the operator of the park in Osaka, local pass holders were required to register in advance for the so-called "soft opening" of the park, which will gradually expand operations.

From June 15, residents of the prefecture who are not annual pass holders but made an advance purchase of special studio passes will be allowed to enter.

General operations will begin on June 19, with admission being limited to annual pass holders nationwide and residents of the six prefectures in the Kansai region -- Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama -- with other passes.

Japan completely lifted its state of emergency in late May but the government has been asking citizens to refrain from crossing prefectural borders until June 19.

The park gates opened shortly before 10 a.m. Monday and guests seemed to appreciate the smaller crowds than usual on the first day of reopening.

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