Japan uses 35×45 mm photos on glossy paper — home prints won't work. Head height must be 32–36 mm, tighter than the US range. And Americans get 90-day visa-free entry, so most travelers only need a photo for a Japanese passport renewal.
| Printed size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Head height | 32–36 mm (chin to crown) |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, no smile |
| Paper | Glossy photo paper mandatory |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos per application |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Glasses | Allowed if eyes clearly visible |
Japanese consulates require glossy photo paper. Matte paper, home inkjet prints, and laser prints will be rejected.
32–36 mm chin-to-crown vs US 25–35 mm. A 4mm range means precise cropping matters more than for US photos.
Every passport application needs two identical prints. Write your name and DOB on the back of each one.
| Requirement | Japan Passport | Japan e-Visa (Digital) | US Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) accepted | 51 × 51 mm (2×2 in) |
| Head height | 32–36 mm | 25–35 mm | 25–35 mm (1–1⅜ in) |
| Background | White or off-white | White | White or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, no smile | Neutral, no smile | Neutral or natural smile |
| Paper | Glossy mandatory | N/A (digital) | Photo-quality (glossy or matte) |
| Recency | Within 6 months | Within 6 months | Within 6 months |
| File specs | N/A (printed) | JPG/PNG/GIF/BMP/HEIC, ≤240KB, 600+ DPI | JPG/HEIF, 54KB–10MB |
| Glasses | Allowed, no glare | Allowed, no glare | Not allowed |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos | 1 digital upload | 1 photo |
Note: Some Japanese consulates in the US accept 2×2 inch photos for passport applications if the head size requirements (32–36 mm) are met. Check with your specific consulate.
US citizens enjoy 90-day visa-free entry to Japan for tourism and business. You only need a visa for work, study, or stays longer than 90 days.
Japan's e-Visa system (evisa.mofa.go.jp) accepts digital photo uploads. The format is more flexible than printed passport applications.
Japan follows standard ICAO guidelines with some flexibility for young children.
Japanese nationals living in the US renew their passports through Japanese consulates. Processing takes approximately 3–4 weeks. Passports cannot be renewed by mail — you must visit a consulate in person.
Each consulate serves specific US states. Check us.emb-japan.go.jp for jurisdiction.
The MyNumber Card (マイナンバーカード) is Japan's national ID. It uses the same 35×45mm photo dimensions as the passport, but digital submissions have different file specs.
Japanese consulates are strict about photo quality — especially paper type and head size precision.
Matte paper, inkjet prints, or laser copies. Must be glossy photo paper from a photo printer or service.
Must be 32–36mm from chin to crown. Only 4mm of tolerance — easy to miss with manual cropping.
Shadows on face or background. Stand at least 0.5m from the wall with even lighting.
Smiling, open mouth, or unnatural expression. Keep neutral with mouth closed and eyes open.
Correct 35×45mm format, precise 32–36mm head height, white background, and the right digital specs for e-Visa uploads. Works for Japanese passport, visa, and MyNumber card applications.
Get Started — $6.99Digital download + print template included. Glossy prints available via our print & mail service.