Get ready for screams and thrills! Halloween Horror Nights is creeping back into Universal Studios Japan for it’s 15th year from September 11th (Fri) – November 8th (Sun), 2026! This year’s spine-chilling lineup program features limited-time experiences, plus the return of many fan favourites!
Halloween Horror Nights runs from September 11 through November 8, 2026, as part of the larger Universal Extreme Autumn ~Discover U!!!~ event, which takes place from September 10. Some attractions, including Resident Evil: Requiem – The Dive, Sadako’s Curse: Dark Horror Ride and Jaws: Red Alert, continue beyond the main event period.
For more information on tickets, refer to our handy guide to Park tickets at Universal Studios Japan.
Quick Summary
Unlike the Universal parks in the United States, where Halloween Horror Nights requires a separate ticket, Universal Studios Japan includes the event with your regular park admission – and it runs every day and evening throughout the season. That means every guest can join in the spooky fun without paying extra!
Here’s a quick overview of the dates and operating hours for this year’s haunted houses and attractions. Keep reading for a closer look at each terrifying offering!
| Attraction | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Street Zombie <POWER UP!> | Park-wide (excluding some areas) | 18:00 to Park Closing |
| Resident Evil: Requiem – The Dive | Stage 18 | 10:00 AM to Park Closing |
| Zombie de Dance | Park-wide (excluding some areas) | 18:00 to Park Closing |
| Playback Zombie de Dance ~Halloween Horror Night 15th Anniversary~ | Park-wide (excluding some areas) | Last show of the day (start time varies by day) |
| Halloween Horror Night Academy ~15 Years of Screams~ | Gramercy Park | Start times vary by day |
| Factory of Fear ~Zombie Tour of Despair~ | Stage 22 | 10:00 AM to Park Closing |
| Sadako’s Curse ~Dark Horror Ride~ | Space Fantasy – The Ride | Park Open to Park Close |
| KATE PRESENTS “The Witch of No. 18 ~The Witch’s Mansion Where Emotions Play~” | Stage 18 | 9:00 AM to Park Closing (start times vary by day) |
| Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D | Cinema 4-D Theater | Park Open to Park Close |
| Smileys Happy Halloween Greetings | Near the Cinema 4-D Theater | Varies by day |
| Chainsaw Man × Hollywood Dream – The Ride ~IRIS OUT~ | Hollywood Dream – The Ride ~Backdrop~ | Park Open to Park Close |
| Zombie de Dance × Hollywood Dream – The Ride | Hollywood Dream – The Ride / Hollywood Dream – The Ride ~Backdrop~ | Park Open to Park Close |
| Minion Beloween Greeting | Hollywood Area / In front of Minion Park | Varies by day |
| “Trick or Treat” throughout the park | Park-wide (excluding Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) | Park Opening to 5:00 PM |
Street Zombies
During Halloween Horror Nights, the streets of Universal Studios Japan will be overrun by bloodthirsty zombies! Brace yourself as vicious and relentless undead creatures close in from every direction. Starting at 6 pm until the park closes, guests will find a terrifying lineup of zombies, including the Psycho Circus clowns, ruled by Hamikuma, the Chainsaw Chaing-Gang, tortured test subjects, and more!
Resident Evil: Requiem – The Dive
The biggest new addition this Halloween season is Resident Evil: Requiem – The Dive, inspired by the latest instalment in Capcom’s iconic survival horror game and film franchise – now it it’s 30th year.
Located inside Stage 18, guests will venture through the abandoned Renwood Hotel and sinister sanatorium featured in the game while creatures emerge from every direction. Unlike most Halloween Horror Nights offerings, Resident Evil: Requiem – The Dive continues through December 27, 2026.
Zombie De Dance
Featuring a bizarre street party atmosphere, guests can lose themselves and dance wildly amongst terrifying zombies to reverberating beats at Zombie de Dance. Playback Zombie de Dance takes over the final performance each evening, bringing back memorable songs from previous Halloween Horror Nights celebrations, including tracks by Ado and J SOUL BROTHERS III.
Halloween Horror Night Academy ~15 Years of Screams~
Halloween Horror Night Academy: 15 Years of Screams will take over Gramercy Park, celebrating the event’s history with iconic monsters, zombies and performers, including the iconic Hamikuma.
A special viewing area ticket will also be available for guests looking to enjoy an enhanced view of the show. On sale from 12:00pm on July 15th, special viewing area tickets are priced from ¥2,100 *Price varies depending on the date of entry.
Afterimage
The biggest horror addition for Halloween Horror Nights 2026 is Afterimage, an extreme psychological horror experience that pushes the event into new territory. Afterimage is the first attraction in the event’s history to receive an R-18 rating, with guests required to sign a waiver before participating.
As part of Halloween Horror Nights’ 15th anniversary celebration, Universal Studios Japan is introducing its most intense horror experience yet, with “Afterimage” joining the lineup of terrifying attractions. Located at Stage 18, Afterimage places guests inside a nightmare research facility where they become trapped in an endless psychological horror experience.
Participation requires a special ticket, with prices starting from ¥1,900. Guests must agree to a waiver before entering, and anyone under the age of 17 will not be permitted to participate.
Factory of Fear: Zombie Tour of Despair
In Factory of Fear: Zombie Tour, guests will face terrors at every turn. As you make your way deeper into the gruesome zombie manufacturing plant, shocking truths about the origins of the dead come to light. Trapped in claustrophobic rooms with no way out, you’re no longer a guest… you’re the prey!
Sadako’s Curse ~Dark Horror Ride~
From September 11 through January 8, 2027, Space Fantasy is transformed into the horrors of Sadako from The Ring. “Sadako’s Curse: Dark Horror Ride” takes you into pitch-black darkness to escape Sadako’s curse in this new limited-time horror coaster. You’re deprived of your sight and ride through darkness. During this time, Space Fantasy The ride isn’t available.
KATE PRESENTS – Witches of House 18: Bewitching Mansion of Emotion
Universal Studios Japan has once again collaborated with Japanese makeup brand KATE to offer Witches of House 18: Bewitching Mansion of Emotion. Step into a mysterious mansion illuminated by eerie neon lights, where four enigmatic witches are ready to awaken your inner self through a one-of-a-kind, transformative makeup encounter!
Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D
The popular Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D is back to terrify guests for a third spooky season! A collaboration with the TV anime “Chainsaw Man,” the 4D show sees Denji, Aki, Power, and Kobeni in an epic fight against the “Halloween Horror Night Demon” and his zombie army.
Chainsaw Man × Hollywood Dream – The Ride ~IRIS OUT~
This Halloween season, Hollywood Dream – The Ride gets a high-octane Chainsaw Man makeover! Guests can ride the epic Backdrop version of the coaster set to “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu, the theme song for the theatrical film “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc.
Zombie de Dance × Hollywood Dream – The Ride
Guests riding Hollywood Dream – The Ride and Hollywood Dream – The Ride ~Backdrop~ will also be able enjoy the exhilarating ride while blasting King Gnu’s song “SO BAD, alongside past Zombie de Dance tracks!
Smileys Happy Halloween Greetings
At Smileys Happy Halloween Greetings, guests can meet the stars of Halloween Horror Nights. Guests will find this character encounter near the Cinema 4-D Theatre.
25th Anniversary “Discover U!!!” Autumn Special Program
Universal Extreme Autumn ~Discover U!!!~ brings a variety of seasonal experiences to the park from September 10th, including limited-time nighttime enhancements for popular attractions and Halloween activities for younger guests, such as Trick or Treating throughout the park (excluding Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter).
Jaws: Red Alert
USJ will turn up the tension as Jaws: Red Alert transforms the classic attraction after sunset with heavy fog, dramatic red lighting and an even more suspenseful encounter with Amity Island’s infamous shark. Guests can enjoy the thrilling attraction from September 11th 2026, through January 31st, 2027.
Jurassic Park The Ride – In the Dark
Jurassic Park: The Ride – In the Dark also returns, sending guests through the attraction in near-total darkness for a far less predictable adventure. With your vision gone, you’ll have to rely on your other senses to survive the pitch-black prehistoric terror ahead!
Hogwarts Castle Walk
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will also offer additional thrills during the Autumn season. The Hogwarts Castle Walk is back from September 1st through January 17th, 2026, offering guests an up close look at the stunning interiors of Hogwarts castle.
Minion Monsters Greeting
At the Minion Monsters Greeting, guests can meet and take photos with the ever-popular Minions dressed in their cute Halloween costumes, including costumes inspired by classic Universal horror icons!
Super Nintendo World Celebrates Five Years
The celebrations continue inside Super Nintendo World, where Pink Yoshi and Light Blue Yoshi will make their park debut during a special anniversary character greeting. The special character greeting will be offered from September 10th through January 11th, 2027.
Bowser Jr. Final Battle also receives a limited-time fifth anniversary update, making the popular Power-Up Band Key Challenge easier for guests to complete.
Tickets and Express Passes
Universal Studios Japan will once again offer special Halloween Express Passes featuring Resident Evil: Requiem – The Dive, Factory of Fear and Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D. Prices start at ¥11,800 (c*Price varies depending on the date of entry), with sales starting 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026..
Further details, including attraction operating schedules and additional Express Pass options, will be released by Universal Studios Japan closer to the start of the autumn season.
Images provided by Universal Studios Japan
MINIONS ™ & © 2026 Universal Studios.
© Nintendo
™ & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
JAWS ™ & © 2026 Universal Studios
© Sony Music Labels Inc.
© rhythm zone
© 2026 Universal Music LLC
© CAPCOM
© Tatsuki Fujimoto/Shueisha・MAPPA
© 2025 MAPPA/Chainsaw Man Project © Tatsuki Fujimoto/Shueisha
© 2025 KENSHI YONEZU © 2025 M/CSMP © TF/S
© KADOKAWA KATE
Universal elements and all related indicia ™ & © 2026 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
More on Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan Guidebook
Are you planning a trip to Universal Studios Japan? If so, you need our digital guidebook! Our guidebook is the most comprehensive resource available, covering everything you need to know about the park, including Super Nintendo World, Express Pass, hotels, restaurants, attractions, shows, seasonal events, and more! With our guidebook, you’ll be an expert on Universal Studios Japan before you even set foot in the park. You’ll know what to expect, where to go, and what to do. You’ll also be able to avoid the crowds and make the most of your time at the park.
Stress-Free Japan: Book with Klook
Make the most of your trip to Japan with these exclusive offerings from our trusted affiliate partner, Klook. From making bullet train reservations with ease to fully private tours, you can save time and money on your trip. I’ve used Klook since 2016, and it is my go-to booking platform for anything in Japan!
- Japan Shinkansen & Train Tickets
- JR Pass for All of Japan
- Klook Pass Greater Tokyo
- Asakusa Kimono Rental & Photo Shoot (Kimono Rental Ange)
- Mt. Fuji Private Customizable One Day Trip from Tokyo
Book Your Flight
I use Google Flights & Momodo to find affordable flights. Another great way is to sign up for Going to get notifications of cheap airfares, which happens often in Japan. You’ll sometimes stumble on cheap flights to Kansai International Airport.
Buy Your Shinkansen Tickets (Bullet Train)
Getting around Japan by the world-renowned bullet train, known as the Shinkansen, is incredibly fast, reliable, and affordable for visitors. You can travel from Tokyo to Osaka in just over 2 hours. Get the JR Rail Pass to save a ton of money on the bullet train for your trip.
Book Your Hotel
Universal Studios Japan has affordable accommodations that are steps away from the park and have easy access to Osaka. I recommend checking prices through Booking.com followed by the hotels directly. Sometimes, you’re able to score some incredible deals. Here’s a short list of hotels at Universal Studios Japan I recommend.
- The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan – You’re directly in front of the Park gates and have instant access to Universal CityWalk Osaka. The rooms are gorgeous, with restaurants and even a Lawson (Japanese convenience store).
- The Singulari HOTEL & SKYSPA – Attached to the train station is a fantastic hotel for those who want a comfortable, clean, and stylish place to sleep. After a long day at Universal Studios Japan, the rooftop sento (public bath) is excellent for unwinding and relaxing.
- Hotel Universal Port – This is an excellent hotel for the Minion fan in your family, only a 5-minute walk from Universal Studios Japan. It also boasts the largest breakfast buffet in Japan, a must during your visit.
Buy Your Tickets & Express Pass
In advance, save time and stress by buying your tickets and Express Pass for Universal Studios Japan.
Stay Connected
Universal Studios Japan only offers free Wi-Fi at the park’s entrance. That’s not enough to stay connected and share your day with everyone back home on Instagram to give them FOMO. Here’s how you can stay connected while travelling in Japan.
- Pocket Wi-Fi – If you’re travelling with a group or have multiple devices, this is your best and most affordable way to stay connected to the internet. Pick up and drop off at the airport. Easy.
- Japan SIM Card – If you have an unlocked phone and need a Japanese phone number, this is the best and easiest way.
Get Yourself Travel Insurance
While travelling aboard, having travel insurance protects you against injury, cancellations, illness, and other things you can never predict. Whenever I travel, I always budget for travel insurance to protect myself. I’ve used it, and I’m so glad I had it. My recommended companies are SafteyWing and World Nomads for travel insurance.
Learn More about Universal Studios Japan
Don’t forget to study our in-depth destination guide on Universal Studios Japan for more information on this beautiful park in Osaka.
Some links may be affiliate links to services I recommend. Buying services through these links at no extra cost to you help support TDR Explorer. Please read our full disclosure for more details.
