This week I got to go to Universal Studios Japan, and I cannot describe just how fun it was! A couple of weeks ago, someone reached out to me about going with them and I just couldn’t turn it down. One cool thing about classes here is that there are none on Wednesdays, so you can have a day to relax or take a trip somewhere/hang out with friends/etc. USJ was offering a student discount where you could go for two days for the price of a day and then the second day was 50% off, so we made sure to take advantage of that! We went after class that Tuesday (also I got to ride the Shinkansen for the first time—it was incredible), and then had the whole day on Wednesday.
I went with a couple of people from the IJS program in addition to a Japanese student here. It was really nice to get to know them more because we hadn’t really had a lot of conversations beforehand. It was super fun to be around them, and we also had some Japanese speaking practice!
All of the lines were super long, and I can completely understand why. They were all definitely worth the wait! In addition to that, they had a collaboration with Spy x Family and there was a lot of very cute merchandise and food. Spy x Family is my favorite anime, so it was very cool that it ended up being at the same time! There was a mystery hunt, but we didn’t do it because it seemed a little difficult and would have taken a lot of time. However, we did go to the Harry Potter attractions, along with Jurassic Park, Hollywood, and Mario! The food was super good, and we definitely took a lot of pictures to capture the moments :)
![Author, Macks, standing in front of the Universal Globe in Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Posing%20in%20Front%20of%20USJ_Macks%20Koontz.jpg?h=9055c93e&itok=hqO9Q6SO)
![Author, Macks, standing with friends that he went to Universal Studios, Japan with in front of the Universal Globe.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Posing%20With%20Friends%20In%20Front%20of%20USJ_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=6a85ed6c&itok=qjMGoioc)
![Author, Macks, posing with Chainsaw Man cosplayers at Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Posing%20with%20Cosplayers_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=d2yV3yQ-)
![Author, Macks, and his friends standing in front of the Harry Potter attraction in Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Smiling%20with%20Friends%20in%20Front%20of%20Harry%20Potter%20Attraction_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=6a85ed6c&itok=Pr0-9G71)
![Author, Macks, posing with food and a drink in Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Boardwalk%20Snacks_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=2e232c5b&itok=F6felFXq)
![Picture of Spy x Family treats at Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Spy%20x%20Family%20Treats_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=KnqA4Di1)
![Author, Macks, posing with Spy x Family themed churros.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Smiling%20with%20Spy%20x%20Family%20Churros_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=2e232c5b&itok=U-rVECDh)
![Author, Macks, sitting next to a small statue of Edith from Despicable Me.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Posing%20with%20Edith%20From%20Despicable%20Me_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=2e232c5b&itok=jZ7743Xy)
![Author, Macks, posing with minion statue in Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Posing%20with%20Minion_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=56ea0856&itok=yb3RmTrH)
![Author, Macks, hitting ? Block in the Mario Attraction at Universal Studios, Japan.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Hitting%20%20Block%20in%20Mario%20Attraction_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=ed92cc4f&itok=yzqoCgzW)
![Author, Macks, with his friends in line for a water ride.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Waiting%20in%20Line%20with%20Ponchos_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=56ea0856&itok=ResbaYwf)
![A dinner table with various meals.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_gallery/public/2023-04/Nagoya_Universal%20Studios%20Japan%2C%20Osaka_Food%20After%20USJ_Macks%20Koontz-min.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=NLae4XP8)
![Macks Koontz headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/blogger_profile/public/2022-12/Macks%20Koontz%20467.jpg?h=22ba4659&itok=muEK6iB3)
Macks Koontz
Hello! My name is Macks and I'm a sophomore at the University of Tennessee majoring in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Japanese. I love learning, hiking, reading, and playing the guitar/ukulele. Studying abroad is super important to me and I am so very excited to be able to share my journey with other people :)