Japan Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec

A Japanese passport photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with your head measuring 34 mm plus or minus 2 mm (32 to 36 mm) from chin to crown and about 4 mm plus or minus 2 mm of space between the top of your head and the top edge, against a plain, uniform light background with no shadows at all. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months, in colour, with a neutral expression and both eyes open. Computer enhanced or edited images are not accepted, and Japan is famously strict about even faint shadows.

Check your photo free. Pay $9 only if it passes. Accepted or your money back.

Upload a photo

Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.

🛡️ Accepted or your money back🔒 Your photo is deleted within 24 hours✓ We never edit your photo

Japan passport photo requirements

Photo size	1 3/8 × 1 3/4 inches (35 × 45 mm)
Head height (chin to top of hair)	1 1/4 to 1 3/8 in (32 to 36 mm)
Eye height from bottom	3/4 to 1 1/8 in (19 to 30 mm)
Background	plain and uniform light colour, no shadows at all
Digital file	JPEG, at least 750 × 750 px

Common reasons a Japan passport photo is rejected

Any shadow on the background or face. Japan rejects even faint shadows behind the shoulders or head.
The head is outside 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown, or the top margin is far from the roughly 4 mm target.
The image is computer enhanced, retouched, or filtered. Official embassy wording states edited images are not accepted.
A hat, mask, or sunglasses is worn, glasses show glare or tint, or hair covers the eyes.

“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements

Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice

A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:

We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.

What a passport photo really costs

The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:

Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt	No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again.
USPS photo serviceabout $15	Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee.
Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3	Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only.
Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes	We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back.

Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Japanese passport photo?

35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with the head 34 mm plus or minus 2 mm from chin to crown. That is one of the tightest head-height gates anywhere, so measure before printing.

What background does a Japanese passport photo need?

A plain, uniform light colour with zero shadow. MOFA accepts white, light grey, or light blue as long as it is plain and shadow free. Faint shoulder shadows are a classic rejection reason.

Can I wear glasses in a Japanese passport photo?

It is recommended to take them off. Any glare, tint, or frames over the eyes cause rejection.

How recent does a Japanese passport photo have to be?

Taken within the last 6 months.

Do I upload a photo for an online Japanese passport renewal?

For online renewals, MOFA's application app captures the photo itself, following on-screen guidance. For counter applications you bring one printed photo. This tool helps you check the print spec, especially the tight 32 to 36 mm head height.