Can You Even Get Them for Free? How Much Does a Job-Hunting ID Photo Cost in Japan?

Job-Hunting ID Photos #Job-Hunting ID Photo #ID Photo #Photo Studio #ID Photo Booth #Cost #Job Hunting

August 3, 2022November 9, 2026 Chiharu

There are many ways to get an ID photo in Japan, from photo booths to professional studios.
You're probably wondering how much each one costs.

In this article, we've put together the going rates for ID photos in Japan. Use it to help you decide which option suits you best!

How much do ID photos cost?
1. ID photo booths
2. Smartphone apps
3. Photo studios
4. Department store photo studios
What's the best-value way to get your photo taken?
・What about 19Studio?
Summary

How much do ID photos cost?

Going rate 1: ID photo booths

You'll find convenient ID photo booths at train stations and shopping centers. The going rate is roughly ¥700–¥1,500.

Let's look at the latest Model K from Company D as an example.

	Printed photos only	Prints + digital data	Digital data only
Standard	¥800	¥1,200	¥800
With skin retouching and background color change options	¥1,000	¥1,500	¥1,000

There are downsides, such as not being able to retouch the photo to suit your individual features, but the prices are very reasonable. Some booths even let you reprint your photo at another booth of the same model if you've saved the data, which makes them very convenient. They're a good choice if you want something quick and inexpensive.

Going rate 2: Smartphone apps

Making an ID photo with a smartphone app

Several apps are available that automatically resize a photo you took with your own smartphone to the standard résumé photo size, so you can print it at a convenience store.

The going rate for this option is roughly ¥30–¥200. It's hard to take a good photo yourself, since you have to adjust things like facial lighting and camera angle on your own. However, you only pay for the convenience store printing, so the cost is very low.

Going rate 3: Photo studios

The going rate at a photo studio is roughly ¥2,000–¥10,000.
It varies from shop to shop, but a basic plan with just the photo session and prints is around ¥2,000.
Many studios let you add options such as digital data delivery and retouching.
A package that bundles two or three popular options with about 10 prints typically costs around ¥6,000.
Large photo studio chains have many locations, so they're easy to get to.
Studios that specialize in job-hunting photos often include hair and makeup and a suit rental in their basic plan, for roughly ¥8,000–¥10,000.

Going rate 4: Department store photo studios

At a photo studio inside a department store, the going rate is ¥10,000 and up.

You can also add options such as hair and makeup. Because the service is high quality, these studios are especially popular with people aiming to become TV announcers or flight attendants, who care a lot about how their photos turn out.

Some of these studios even offer plans that include outdoor snapshot sessions. They're a good fit for people who care more about the final result than the price.

What's the best-value way to get your photo taken?

As you can see, there are many ways to get an ID photo. Prices and results differ, so we recommend choosing the method that suits you best.

Keep in mind, though, that receiving the digital data or printed photos can sometimes cost extra, and the total may end up higher than you expected. If you want to get the best value, it's a good idea to check the details carefully beforehand.

What about 19Studio?

At 19Studio, the standard plan starts at ¥5,480. It includes the digital photo data, professional retouching, 6 printed photos, and same-day delivery at the earliest.

The hallmark of 19Studio is its simple plan. We believe that styling your own hair and doing your own makeup brings out your natural charm, so we don't offer a hair and makeup option. This also makes it less likely that you'll look noticeably different from your photo at your actual interview, which we think is reassuring.

Summary

In this article, we've introduced the going rates for ID photos in Japan. Choose the method that works best for you and get an ID photo you're truly happy with!

Chiharu: Loves writing articles and is studying copywritingI love writing and I'm currently studying copywriting. I turn the questions our guests often ask and the things I notice in the studio into easy-to-read articles about job-hunting and ID photos, so that even first-timers can understand them.