OSAKA –
Universal Studios Japan is contemplating its first growth since opening in 2001, with plans to make use of about 60,000 sq. meters of former Nippon Steel manufacturing facility land adjoining to the park and probably improve its whole space by roughly 10%.
According to Kyodo News, the proposed growth web site lies straight north of Donkey Kong Country, the most recent part of Super Nintendo World.
The largely vacant former manufacturing facility web site at the moment accommodates little remaining industrial infrastructure, though round 10 items of heavy equipment have been introduced in and work is underway.
USJ opened in 2001 and attracted greater than 10 million guests inside its first yr, however attendance weakened for roughly the next decade. The park later staged a robust restoration by introducing main new points of interest, together with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.
Super Nintendo World opened in 2021 at a reported funding of about 60 billion yen, whereas the Harry Potter space opened in 2014 after an funding of about 45 billion yen.
Some reviews have prompt the most recent growth may contain funding of round 300 billion yen, placing it on a scale a number of instances bigger than these earlier initiatives.
Aviation and journey analyst Kotaro Toriumi, who can be acquainted with the theme park trade, mentioned a brand new space centered on anime or online game characters was the strongest risk.
USJ was initially constructed round Hollywood films, however Toriumi mentioned anime and recreation characters have develop into a significant drive behind the park’s reputation amongst each Japanese guests and worldwide vacationers.
He mentioned the brand new improvement may due to this fact function a significant Japanese anime or gaming franchise, with Pokemon among the many attainable candidates.
USJ introduced a brand new Pokemon-related undertaking in January, though particulars haven’t but been disclosed.
Toriumi mentioned different prospects embody increasing an current space resembling Super Nintendo World, including accommodations, or introducing new experiential points of interest, probably together with swimming pools or different types of interactive leisure.
He added that Hollywood-based points of interest may nonetheless have a spot within the growth, however mentioned Japanese characters would doubtless stay the core of USJ’s development technique due to their reputation with each home and abroad guests.
The risk of upper ticket costs can be drawing consideration.
A one-day ticket price 5,500 yen when USJ opened in 2001. The park now makes use of variable pricing, with the very best one-day admission worth reaching 11,900 yen throughout peak intervals.
Toriumi mentioned costs are more likely to rise additional due to inflation and the dimensions of the anticipated funding. Another risk, he mentioned, can be to cost a separate admission charge for the brand new space.
He famous that admission costs at main U.S. theme parks are sometimes round $120 to $150, or roughly 20,000 yen, leaving room for additional will increase in Japan.
At the identical time, Toriumi mentioned he would like a pricing system that retains admission at round 7,000 yen to eight,000 yen throughout much less crowded intervals by way of dynamic pricing.
He mentioned the funding appeared commercially viable as a result of USJ has a broad buyer base. The park drew robust numbers of abroad guests final yr, whereas Japanese friends have additionally returned in giant numbers following the tip of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
Toriumi mentioned USJ’s energy lies in its skill to draw each worldwide vacationers and Japanese guests, decreasing the chance related to such a big growth.
Source: KTV NEWS