Universal Studios Japan to open haunted hotel room experience

Universal Studios Japan has turned a hotel guest room into a spooky mystery puzzle experience just in time for the Halloween season.

By Niamh Larkin

This year’s theme is “The Journalist – Photos Reveal Memories” and will be the sixth edition of the “Horror Room” series since it began in 2015. Guests will play the role of a journalist hunting for clues behind a girl’s disappearance.

At first glance, the room is decorated with faux-bloodstains, cobwebs and an array of pictures stuck on the walls. Similar to an escape room, guests will have to complete a series of small tasks to piece together the clues to solve the central mystery, such as dipping photographs in water to reveal hidden messages, finding a key to the safe, and having flashbacks via your smartphone or tablet.

Guests will need to bring their smart device along in order to access a dedicated site to help them with solving the mystery.

The haunted guest room in the Hotel Universal Port will be available to book from Sept. 4 – Dec. 20 and can host a maximum of four people.

Hotel Universal Port has stated that the setting and plot of “The Journalist” are fictional.

Booking prices start at ¥8,000 per person (approximately $75.33 USD) and vary per date. Reservations can be made on Hotel Universal Port’s website. Guests are limited to one booking of the haunted horror room.

Universal Studios Japan reopened on June 19, 2020 after a brief closure due to COVID-19.