Get Your Japanese Passport Photo Done Right [In 3 Mins]

Are you living in the US and need a photo for a Japanese passport? Discover all the important information about getting Japanese passport photos in the US, including their requirements, finer details (e.g., Japanese passport photo size in pixels), and where to purchase them in person and online. 

Understanding Japanese passport photo requirements

Japanese passport photos have requirements that differ from US passport photos. 

Readers can find the official guidelines posted in PDF format and available via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Here at Passport Photo Online, we’ve prepared this detailed guide to inform you about all the Japanese passport photo requirements—complete with pictures. This way, you can feel confident your photo meets all the official guidelines mandated by Japanese passport agents.

Japanese Passport Photos Explained

Note: Digital photos must have a minimum resolution of 827x1063 pixels.

The fine details: specifics of Japanese passport photos

Besides the technical details mentioned above, there are also finer details that must be followed to ensure compliance with official requirements. Check out the following list to make sure your Japanese passport photo doesn’t break the rules:

• Smile: Neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling is not allowed
• Eyes: Must be open and depict the subject’s natural eye color (contact lenses changing the eye color are prohibited). Hair, false eyelashes, or eyelash extensions cannot obscure the eyes in any way
• Glasses: Thick-rimmed or tinted glasses are not allowed. Eyes must be in focus 
• Headgear: None allowed unless for religious purposes; cannot obscure the face in any way
• Attire: Cannot blend in with the background
• Beard: Permitted 
• Head position: Centered and facing the camera. Portrait-style photos are strictly prohibited

Negative space: 2mm–6mm (0.08”–0.24”) of space between the top of the subject’s head and the top border of the photo. Does not apply to subjects with voluminous hair

Important! Japanese passport applications require the submission of two passport photos.

Become an expert on Japanese passport photos with these related articles:

• Japanese Passport Photos Near You
• US vs Japanese Passport Photo – How Do They Compare?
• Japanese Passport Renewal in the US

Japanese passport photo sizing details

Getting Japanese passport photos in the correct size (35x45 millimeters) is extremely important as most in-store photo centers located in the US only provide US-sized passport photos (51x51 mm / 2x2”).

As displayed in the example picture above, Japanese biometric photographs must have a width of 35mm and a length of 45mm (1.38” x 1.77”). Furthermore, the head must be between 32mm–36mm (1.26”–1.42”). 

Lastly, the negative space rule, i.e., the 2mm–6mm (0.08”–0.24”) gap from the top of the head to the edge of the photo (unless the subject’s hair has a lot of volume) is an important aspect that cannot go overlooked by readers or passport photo technicians.

Online services for Japanese passport photos 

National pharmacy chains such as Walgreens and CVS may offer Japanese passport photos at specific locations—but do you want to risk getting non-compliant passport photos with all these confusing sizing requirements? 

You also have to spend time and money getting to the stores in addition to the $16.99 price tag—surely, there must be a better way!

Luckily, there is.

Now you can get quality Japanese passport photos with online passport photo apps. Just look at the chart below outlining some of the features offered by five popular providers:

In 3 minutes or less, Passport Photo Online delivers two Japanese passport photos directly to your inbox—all done with only a few taps on your smartphone. 

Best of all, every biometric photo has an acceptance guarantee, so you can rest easy knowing Japanese passport agents will accept your picture. 

Last update: 9/30/23