Why Do I Look Like an Alien?! The Crazy World of Japanese “Purikura” (Photo Booths)
You are walking through a Game Center in Shibuya or Akihabara. You hear high-pitched music. You see groups of high school girls laughing. You see rows of pink machines.
Welcome to Purikura (Print Club).
You might think: “It’s just a photo booth.” NO. It is a Digital Plastic Surgery Machine. It will automatically make your eyes huge, your skin porcelain white, and your legs impossibly long.
It costs only 400 or 500 JPY ($3-$4). It prints stickers. It sends the data to your phone. And it is the funniest souvenir you will ever make.
But it’s confusing. And there is one VERY strict rule you need to know.
Rule #1: The “No Men Allowed” Rule
This shocks many tourists. Most Purikura areas have a sign: “No Men Allowed (Unless accompanied by a female).”
- Why? To protect the girls. It is a “safe space” for young women to be silly and cute without worrying about creepers.
- The Solution: If you are a guy, you MUST bring a female friend (girlfriend, wife, sister, friend). If you are a group of only guys… sorry, the staff will stop you.
Step 1: The Payment & Mode
Walk into the booth. Put in your 500 yen coin. The screen will ask you to choose a “Mode.”
- Natural: (Lies. You will still look like an anime character).
- Baby/Cute: Huge eyes.
- Cool: Sharp chin.
Just pick one. It doesn’t matter. You will look crazy anyway.
Step 2: The Shooting (The Panic Phase)
Move fast. The machine does not wait. A voice will shout: “3, 2, 1, Pose!” Look at the screen. It will suggest poses (Peace signs, Finger hearts, Cat paws).
- Friend’s Tip: Look at the Camera Lens (usually slightly above the screen), not yourself on the screen. Otherwise, your eyes will look sleepy.
Step 3: The “Rakugaki” (Graffiti Time)
After the photos, you move to the Second Booth (around the corner). This is the decoration station. You have about 2 minutes. The clock is ticking!
Use the stylus pen to:
- Add stamps (Hearts, Stars, Donuts).
- Write the date or “TOKYO” on the photo.
- Add makeup (Blush, Lipstick).
- Add “Big Eye” filters (if your eyes aren’t big enough already).
It is chaos. Just tap everything. Have fun.
Step 4: The Result (The Alien Reveal)
The machine will print out a small sheet of Stickers. Look at them. Laugh. You probably look like an alien or a doll. Your boyfriend might look like a K-Pop star. This is the point. It’s not supposed to be realistic; it’s supposed to be “Kawaii” (Cute).
Step 5: The “Scissor Station”
Walk out of the booth. Look for a table with scissors attached to chains. Cut the sticker sheet in half so you can share it with your friend. Stick it on your phone case or in your travel diary.
Summary: The Best $3 You Will Spend
Purikura is a rite of passage. It captures the fun, high-tech, and slightly weird spirit of Japanese youth culture.
Don’t be too cool for it. Get in there, make the peace sign, and embrace your new anime face.
Are you a solo male traveler who wants to try Purikura but can’t get in? Or do you want to find the machine that turns you into a specific anime character? Our Pop Culture Tour guides (many of whom are female) can get you into the booths and translate the frantic instructions for you! Let’s go make some stickers.
