On July 9, Universal Studios Japan announced that its autumn seasonal event, ユニバーサル・エクストリーム・オータム～Discover U!!!～ (Yunibāsaru Ekusutorīmu Ōtamu ~Discover U!!!~), will be 開催（かいさい） (kaisai, held) from September 10 to November 8. And at the heart of it all is the 15th anniversary of the park’s wildly popular ハロウィーン・ホラー・ナイト (Harowīn Horā Naito).
This year also brings a 期間限定（きかんげんてい） (kikan gentei, limited-time only) Express Pass starting at 11,800 yen (tax included), giving fans priority access to some of the park’s most terrifying attractions.
15 Years of Halloween Horror at USJ
The 2026 event marks the 15th anniversary—15周年を迎える（じゅうごしゅうねんをむかえる） (jūgo shūnen o mukaeru)—of Halloween Horror Night. The grammar pattern 〜を迎える means “to mark” or “to reach” an anniversary or milestone. You’ll hear it often in news reports and celebrations.
This year’s lineup promises fear on another level. From immersive street experiences across the entire park to collaborations with globally popular survival horror games and anime series, an “otherworldly” wave of terror will 押し寄せる（おしよせる） (oshiyoseru, surge in).
More Zombies Than Ever
The famous ストリート・ゾンビ (Sutorīto Zonbi, Street Zombies) will feature the largest number of zombies in the event’s history. These creatures will dramatically 出現（しゅつげん） (shutsugen, appear) throughout the park, bringing a new storyline that packs in 15 years of accumulated fear.
Meanwhile, ゾンビ・デ・ダンス (Zonbi de Dansu) returns with high-energy music. Guests can go wild to King Gnu’s “SO BAD,” and at the end of each day, a special medley will revive past collaboration hits such as Ado’s “唱” and J SOUL BROTHERS’ “Rat-tat-tat.”
New and Returning Horror Attractions
A major highlight this year is a new horror attraction in collaboration with the latest installment of the globally popular survival horror game series 『バイオハザード レクイエム』 (Biohazard Requiem), which marks its 30th anniversary this year.
In addition, the scream-inducing—絶叫（ぜっきょう） (zekkyou, thrilling/scream-worthy)—ride *『貞子の呪い ～ダーク・ホラー・ライド～』 (Sadako no Noroi ~Dāku Horā Raido~, Sadako’s Curse: Dark Horror Ride), first introduced in 2023, will make a 復活（ふっかつ） (fukkatsu, comeback).
These collaborations show how USJ blends global franchises with Japanese horror icons, creating attractions that resonate with both domestic and international fans.
Limited-Time Express Pass Details
To help guests experience more without long waits, USJ is releasing 期間限定 Express Passes for Halloween Horror Night. These passes offer 優先体験（ゆうせんたいけん） (yuusen taiken, priority experience*) for four attractions each.
Sales begin around 3:00 p.m. on July 14, 2026, via the official website and Lawson Ticket (online). Prices start at 11,800 yen (tax included) and vary depending on the admission date.
Here are the announced ticket types:
Universal Express Pass 4
～ハロウィーン・セット『バイオハザード レクイエム』 ザ・ダイブ～
Priority access to:
- 『バイオハザード レクイエム』 ザ・ダイブ
- 貞子の呪い ～ダーク・ホラー・ライド～
- ジュラシック・パーク・ザ・ライド ～イン・ザ・ダーク～
- ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライド
Universal Express Pass 4
～ハロウィーン・セット チェンソーマン・ザ・カオス 4-D～
Priority access to:
- チェンソーマン・ザ・カオス 4-D
- ジュラシック・パーク・ザ・ライド ～イン・ザ・ダーク～
- ファクトリー・オブ・フィアー ～絶望のゾンビ・ツアー～
- ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライド
Universal Express Pass 4
～ハロウィーン・セット ファクトリー・オブ・フィアー 絶望のゾンビ・ツアー～
Priority access to:
- ファクトリー・オブ・フィアー ～絶望のゾンビ・ツアー～
- 『バイオハザード レクイエム』 ザ・ダイブ
- ジョーズ ～レッド・アラート～
- ハリー・ポッター・アンド・ザ・フォービドゥン・ジャーニー
Additional ticket types are scheduled to be announced later on the official USJ website.
Cultural Context: Halloween, Japan-Style
Halloween in Japan isn’t just about candy—it’s about immersive entertainment. USJ’s Halloween Horror Night has become a seasonal tradition, combining Western horror icons like Jaws and Jurassic Park with Japanese legends like Sadako from The Ring and anime collaborations such as Chainsaw Man.
The blending of global and domestic franchises—often written in katakana—reflects modern Japanese pop culture. Being able to read these titles is a huge advantage when navigating events like this.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 開催 | kaisai | to hold (an event) |
| 期間限定 | kikan gentei | limited-time only |
| 復活 | fukkatsu | revival, comeback |
| 出現 | shutsugen | appearance (dramatic) |
| 押し寄せる | oshiyoseru | to surge, to flood in |
| 絶叫 | zekkyou | scream; thrilling (ride) |
| 優先体験 | yuusen taiken | priority experience |
| 周年を迎える | shūnen o mukaeru | to mark an anniversary |
Grammar Spotlight
1. 〜を迎える (〜をむかえる)
Used for milestones like anniversaries.
15周年を迎える。 Jūgo shūnen o mukaeru. “It marks its 15th anniversary.”
今年30周年を迎えたシリーズ。 Kotoshi sanjū shūnen o mukaeta shirīzu. “A series that marked its 30th anniversary this year.”
2. 〜など
Means “and so on” or “among others.”
Ado『唱』や三代目J SOUL BROTHERS『Rat-tat-tat』など。 Ado “Shō” ya Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS “Rat-tat-tat” nado. “Songs such as Ado’s ‘Shō’ and J SOUL BROTHERS’ ‘Rat-tat-tat,’ among others.”
You’ll constantly see など in news writing to avoid listing everything.
Useful Expression
公式WEBサイトで発表。 Kōshiki WEB saitō de happyō. “Announced on the official website.”
This concise, headline-style phrasing is common in Japanese news.
Continue Learning
📚 Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.
📚 Working on your reading skills? Our Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script lesson is a great next step.
Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script
📚 Want to learn more about entertainment? Check out our lesson on Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties.
Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties
これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.