Why do faces in purikura photos look different?

Because the processing is part of the service itself, not a random effect of the program: even before printing, the machine enlarges the eyes and smooths the skin in the photo. This has been built into the technology since the first mass-market models and remains part of the format to this day.

When did purikura appear?

The first machine under the "Print Club" brand was released by Atlus in July 1995, and the format's popularity peaked by 1999. Later, the rights to the brand passed to Sega, which acquired Atlus along with this line of business.

Can you get a purikura photo on your phone?

Yes, in many modern arcades you can not only print the photo on a sticker sheet but also send it straight to your phone after the session. Previously the result was only paper stickers, but with the spread of smartphones the digital version has become a standard option.

Purikura: The Japanese Photo Booth That Draws on Your Face

Purikura is a Japanese photo booth that takes a picture of your face, processes it instantly, and prints a sheet of small stickers. The name is short for プリント倶楽部, "Print Club": that was the name of the first such machine, released by Atlus in July 1995. The processing isn't a side effect — it's part of the service: eyes are enlarged and skin is smoothed before printing.

"Purikura" sounds like an ordinary photo booth, but the difference lies in what happens after the shutter clicks: the machine itself alters the face in the photo rather than just printing it. Let's look at when this format appeared, who invented it, and what the machine can do today — from drawing on photos to sending the image straight to your phone.

A Machine That Doesn't Just Take Photos — It Processes Your Face

Purikura isn't just a photo booth; it's a machine that takes a picture of your face, automatically processes the image, and prints a sheet of small stickers. The processing here is part of the service itself, not a side effect of the program: even before printing, the eyes in the photo become larger and the skin smoother.

Where the Word Came From

プリクラ is short for プリント倶楽部, "Print Club" (from the English print club): that was the brand name of the very first such machine. Japanese once again compressed a long name into three recognizable kana characters — a common technique for such borrowings.

撮 — значение: to photograph, to shoot, to pick up with fingers, to pinch — онъёми: サツ — кунъёми: と.る、つま.む、-ど.り — 15 штрих(ов). 撮 means "to photograph, to shoot": 撮影 (satsuei) "shooting, filming", 写真を撮る (shashin o toru) "to take a photo". The word プリクラ itself doesn't contain this character — it's written entirely in katakana, like an ordinary loanword.

1995, Atlus, and the First "Print Club" Machine

The first machine under the "Print Club" brand was released in July 1995 by the Japanese game company Atlus. A session then cost 300 yen and produced a sheet of 16 small stickers about 1.5 by 2.5 centimeters. The idea was proposed by an employee of an arcade in Shizuoka, and Atlus developer Sasaki Miho brought it to a finished product.

From Early Arcades to a National Boom

After its release, the machine quickly gained popularity among schoolgirls and young women, and by 1999 demand peaked: queues at the machines in arcades and shopping centers became common. Later, the rights to the "Print Club" brand and purikura itself passed to Sega, which bought Atlus along with this line of business.

Drawing on the Screen, Choosing a Background, and Sending to Your Phone

A modern purikura session usually has two stages: first you take the photos, then you edit them on a touchscreen — choosing a frame and background, drawing over the photo with your finger or a stylus. This stage is called rakugaki, "doodles". The final sticker sheet can be printed, but in many arcades the result is also sent straight to your phone, not just to paper.

The Rule About Male Guests Without a Companion

Many arcades have a rule that a man without a companion is not allowed into the separate purikura booth area. Operators explain this not as discrimination but as a safety measure: some arcades cite past cases of hidden filming of female customers. For couples and families, the rule makes an exception almost everywhere.

FAQ

What is purikura?: Purikura is a Japanese photo booth that takes a picture, automatically processes the face, and prints a sheet of small stickers. The name is short for プリント倶楽部, "Print Club": that was the brand name of the first such machine, which appeared in 1995.
Why do faces in purikura photos look different?: Because the processing is part of the service itself, not a random effect of the program: even before printing, the machine enlarges the eyes and smooths the skin in the photo. This has been built into the technology since the first mass-market models and remains part of the format to this day.
When did purikura appear?: The first machine under the "Print Club" brand was released by Atlus in July 1995, and the format's popularity peaked by 1999. Later, the rights to the brand passed to Sega, which acquired Atlus along with this line of business.
Can you get a purikura photo on your phone?: Yes, in many modern arcades you can not only print the photo on a sticker sheet but also send it straight to your phone after the session. Previously the result was only paper stickers, but with the spread of smartphones the digital version has become a standard option.

Sources

Updated: 2026-09-21