A Guide to Japanese Photo Booths
If you’re walking through a Japanese arcade and see a row of large, colorful photo booths filled with bright lights and oversized screens, you’ve probably found purikura.
Purikura (プリクラ) is much more than an ordinary photo booth.
You take photos with friends, choose different looks, let the machine enhance your appearance, decorate the pictures with stamps and text, and finally receive small printed photo stickers—and, depending on the machine and service, digital versions for your phone.
For first-time visitors, however, the machines can look surprisingly complicated.
This guide explains what purikura is, how to use it, what it costs, and what to expect before stepping inside.
What Is Purikura?
Purikura (プリクラ) originally comes from the Japanese abbreviation of Print Club (プリント倶楽部 / Purinto Kurabu).
The first Print Club machines appeared in Japan in the 1990s, and purikura soon became especially popular among teenagers and young adults.
Modern purikura machines are far more sophisticated than traditional photo booths.
Depending on the machine, they can automatically adjust features such as:
- Skin appearance
- Eye size
- Face shape
- Makeup
- Hair appearance
- Body proportions
- Lighting
Some machines aim for an exaggerated “kawaii” look, while others offer more natural-looking styles.
And that’s part of the fun.
Purikura isn’t designed to give you a perfectly realistic portrait. It’s an experience.
🇯🇵 Purikura Quick Facts
| What to Expect | |
|---|---|
| 💴 Price | Often around ¥500 per session, but varies |
| ⏱ Time | Usually around 10–15 minutes |
| 👥 Best With | Friends, couples or family |
| 📍 Where | Arcades, game centers and purikura specialty areas |
| 🖼 Result | Printed photo stickers; digital images may also be available |
| 🌍 English | Depends on the machine; some newer machines offer multilingual instructions |
| ⭐ Difficulty | Easy once you understand the flow |
How to Use Purikura in Japan
The exact screens and options vary between machines, but the basic experience is usually similar.
Step 1: Choose a Purikura Machine
Don’t automatically enter the first booth you see.
Different machines produce noticeably different styles.
Some emphasize:
- Natural-looking faces
- Larger eyes
- Makeup effects
- Full-body shots
- Fashion
- Cute backgrounds
- Colorful decorations
Look at the sample photos displayed outside the machine.
Choose the machine based on how you want the final photos to look.
This is something first-time visitors often miss.
Step 2: Pay
Follow the instructions on the screen and pay for your session.
Prices vary by machine, but around ¥500 is common.
Some machines and locations may support different payment methods, so check the screen before starting.
If a machine requires coins, arcades often have change machines nearby.
Step 3: Choose Your Style
Before taking the photos, you may be asked to select options such as:
- Photo style
- Background
- Makeup style
- Eye appearance
- Skin tone
- Layout
- Number of people
Don’t spend too long deciding.
Purikura machines often give you a limited amount of time to make each selection.
If you’re unsure, simply choose the option that looks best in the sample image.
Step 4: Enter the Photo Booth
Now the fun begins.
Move into the shooting area and look at the screen.
The machine will guide you through several photos, often suggesting poses along the way.
You might see examples telling you to:
- Make a peace sign ✌️
- Put your hands near your face
- Look at each other
- Make a heart
- Stand closer together
You don’t have to copy them exactly.
But the countdown can be surprisingly quick, so be ready for the next photo.
Step 5: Don’t Be Surprised When Your Face Changes
This is one of the most important things for first-time visitors to know.
When your photo appears on the screen, you may think:
“Wait… is that really me?”
Probably. Sort of.
Purikura machines are famous for automatically enhancing faces.
Your eyes may appear larger, your skin smoother and your facial proportions slightly different.
Depending on the machine, the effect can range from subtle to dramatic.
This isn’t necessarily a mistake.
The transformation is part of modern purikura culture.
If you prefer a realistic photo, look at the sample images before choosing a machine and select one advertising a more natural style.
Step 6: Move to the Editing Area
Here’s another part that can confuse first-time users.
You may not edit the photos in the same place where you took them.
After the shooting session finishes, follow the instructions and move to the designated editing area on the side or back of the machine.
This allows another group to start taking photos while you decorate yours.
Step 7: Decorate Your Photos
This is called rakugaki (落書き), literally “doodling.”
Using a touchscreen and stylus, you can add things such as:
- Words
- Names
- Dates
- Hearts
- Stars
- Stamps
- Frames
- Drawings
- Makeup effects
If you’re traveling with friends, writing the date and “Tokyo” or “Japan” on the photo can turn it into a fun souvenir.
Again, there’s usually a time limit.
Don’t worry about making everything perfect.
The slightly chaotic result is part of the purikura experience.
Step 8: Choose Your Photos and Print Layout
Depending on the machine, you may be able to choose which images appear on the printed sheet and how they’re arranged.
Once you’re finished, confirm your choices.
Then move outside the booth.
Step 9: Collect Your Purikura Stickers
After a short wait, your printed purikura sheet will come out of the machine.
Traditional purikura photos are printed as small stickers.
You can:
- Keep the whole sheet
- Cut it into individual photos
- Share them with friends
- Put them in a notebook
- Stick them inside a phone case
- Keep them as a travel souvenir
For visitors to Japan, they make a particularly fun souvenir because you actually created it yourself.
Can You Get Purikura Photos on Your Phone?
Often, yes—but this is one area where the system varies considerably by machine.
Modern machines may let you retrieve digital images using:
- A QR code
- A website
- A dedicated app
- An image-download service
Some services provide limited images for free, while access to additional images or features may require registration or a paid service.
One major Japanese purikura service is Pictlink (ピクトリンク), operated by FuRyu.
Because digital-download systems change, follow the instructions displayed on the specific machine you’re using rather than assuming every machine works the same way.
Do Purikura Machines Have English?
It depends.
Older machines can be heavily Japanese-oriented, but newer machines are becoming easier for international visitors to use.
Some current machines provide multilingual instructions.
Even without English, purikura is relatively easy once you understand the basic sequence:
Choose → Pay → Shoot → Move → Decorate → Print
Remember those six steps and you’ll probably be fine.
Where Can You Find Purikura in Japan?
The easiest places to look are:
- Large game centers
- Amusement arcades
- Purikura specialty areas
- Shopping malls
- Entertainment complexes
You’ll find especially large concentrations in youth shopping and entertainment districts.
In Tokyo, areas such as:
- Shibuya
- Harajuku
- Ikebukuro
- Shinjuku
are good places to start looking.
Rather than searching only for “photo booth,” try searching Maps for:
プリクラ
or
purikura
A normal Japanese ID-photo machine is a completely different thing.
Purikura vs Regular Photo Booth
| Purikura | Regular Photo Booth | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Fun | ID photos / portraits |
| Face Editing | Strong to moderate | Usually minimal |
| Decoration | Yes | Usually no |
| Stickers | Usually | No |
| Multiple Poses | Yes | Limited |
| Best With Friends | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Japan Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
If you’re looking for passport or visa photos, do not use purikura.
Can Men Use Purikura?
Yes, but there’s an important catch.
Rules can vary by arcade or purikura area.
Some locations have historically restricted groups consisting only of men from entering certain purikura sections, while men accompanied by women may be allowed.
Policies vary by venue and can change, so check signs at the entrance or ask staff if you’re unsure.
Don’t assume that every purikura location has the same rule.
Is Purikura Good for Children?
It can be a lot of fun for families.
Children often enjoy:
- Choosing poses
- Seeing themselves transformed
- Adding stamps
- Drawing on photos
- Receiving stickers afterward
However, arcades can be loud, bright and crowded.
The machine also moves quickly through the photo sequence, so younger children may need some help.
Purikura Etiquette
There aren’t many complicated rules, but a few things help:
- Don’t enter a booth another group is using.
- Follow the machine’s time limits.
- Move to the editing area when instructed.
- Don’t block the booth after finishing.
- Check venue-specific entry rules.
- Don’t photograph other customers without permission.
Most importantly, don’t worry about doing everything perfectly.
Purikura is supposed to be playful.
Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make
Choosing a Machine Without Checking the Samples
The level of facial enhancement varies significantly.
Look at the sample photos first.
Waiting Too Long to Pose
The machine moves fast.
When one photo finishes, prepare immediately for the next.
Staying in the Shooting Booth
When photography finishes, you usually need to move to the editing station.
Follow the arrows or screen instructions.
Expecting a Normal Photo
This may be the biggest mistake.
If the machine turns you into a dramatically enhanced version of yourself, that’s not necessarily a malfunction.
Welcome to purikura.
Forgetting the Digital Photos
If you want smartphone copies, check the QR code or download instructions before leaving.
Why Is Purikura So Japanese?
Smartphones can take better photographs than ever.
So why do purikura machines still exist?
Because purikura isn’t really about taking a photograph.
It’s about taking photos together.
Choosing the machine, deciding how you want to look, rushing through poses, laughing at the results, decorating the pictures and dividing the stickers among friends are all part of the experience.
For many Japanese people, especially younger generations, purikura has been connected with friendships, dates, school memories and trips for decades.
And that’s why it can be interesting for visitors too.
You’re not simply buying a souvenir.
You’re participating in a piece of Japanese pop culture.
🇯🇵 HONNE JAPAN PICK
If you’ve never tried purikura before, don’t worry too much about choosing the “best” machine.
Pick one whose sample photos look fun, bring a friend, and try it.
Your first reaction when you see the heavily edited version of your face may be the best part.
And unlike many souvenirs from Japan, nobody else will have exactly the same one.
FAQ
How much does purikura cost in Japan?
Prices vary by machine and location, but around ¥500 per session is common.
Can foreigners use purikura?
Yes. Some newer machines even provide multilingual instructions for international users.
Can I use purikura if I don’t speak Japanese?
Usually, yes. Once you know the basic process—choose, pay, shoot, edit and print—it’s relatively straightforward.
Can I get the pictures on my phone?
Many modern machines offer digital image services, often through QR codes, websites or apps. Availability and whether all images are free vary by machine and service.
Does purikura really change your face?
Yes. Facial enhancement is one of the defining features of modern purikura, although the strength and style differ between machines.
Where can I find purikura in Tokyo?
Large entertainment districts such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku are good places to look, particularly inside game centers and amusement facilities.
Can men take purikura?
Yes, although some venues may have their own entry policies for male-only groups. Check the signs at the specific location.
Is purikura only for teenagers?
No. Although strongly associated with youth culture, anyone can enjoy it—including tourists, couples, families and groups of friends.
Final Thoughts
Purikura is one of those Japanese experiences that’s difficult to fully understand until you try it yourself.
At first, the machines may look confusing.
But remember:
Choose → Pay → Shoot → Move → Decorate → Print
Ten minutes later, you’ll walk away with a tiny sheet of highly edited, brightly decorated photos—and a very Japanese memory of your trip.
That’s exactly what makes purikura worth trying.
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