Look Prettier Than Ever With Purikura

Purikura, usually only 400 yen, takes your picture and the machine does the rest. You can choose if you want extra white or extra tanned (although the extra tanned option is seen less and less frequently due to changing trends), the size of your eyes (super mega large or just super large) the backgrounds and various frames (horizontal or vertical etc). After your pictures are taken, you head on down to the side of the booth where you can start drawing! This requires some practice (or a Japanese speaker), but just pressing buttons randomly also does the trick. Here you can add strange hats, stickers, background images, texts and dates and my personal favourite: lots and lots of shimmer! Groups of boys only are usually not allowed, but when escorted by at least one girl they are fine. Guess that’s the purikura maker’s way of fixing Japanese boys up with a date: “Would you come with me to purikura? I’d go alone but it’s not allowed…” Now who would say no to that?

photo courtesy of okashiyummy.blogspot.com

If you don’t care for a booth, or you want to ‘purikurize’ pictures that you already have, try this Purikura app.