Japanese Passport

Japanese Passport Photos in Washington, DC

Japanese passport photos in Washington, DC. Uncut 2x2 with a 32–36 mm face, tighter than the US standard, so a US passport photo often fails.

Ready in about 15 minutes Checked against the spec before you leave 1401 Florida Ave NW, Washington DC
Reserved appointment
$200plus tax · held time, both formats
  • Held for you: the one way to know we’ll be here when you arrive
  • Digital file and printed set, always both
  • Reshot free if the consulate rejects it
Reserve this time
Walk-in
$100plus tax · digital or prints · $150 both
  • Call first to check availability: the walk-in window is only around the day’s booked sessions
  • Some days there is no window at all. Reserving a time is the sure way in
Call to check walk-in availability
The specification

What a Japanese Passport photo has to be

Every figure below is quoted from the issuing authority, and the source is linked at the bottom of this section. Where the official sources do not agree, we say so instead of picking one.

Photo size35 x 45 mm or 51 x 51 mm · 2 x 2 in (uncut) or 1.38 x 1.77 in
Head height32–36 mm (about 1 3/8 in) from head to chin
Eye positionNot published officially: we verify it against your consulate at the session.
BackgroundPlain background
GlassesAllowed, but frames must not cover the eyes and there must be no flash reflection off the lenses. No hats, masks or sunglasses.
ExpressionFacing forward. An exaggerated smile with teeth showing may be rejected, as may hair covering the eyes or any digitally altered photo.
How recentTaken within the last 6 months
Digital fileNot published officially: we verify it against your consulate at the session.
Copies neededOne photo. Two for a lost or stolen passport with an emergency travel document.
Note on the sizeThe Embassy of Japan in Washington DC specifies an UNCUT 2x2 in US passport photo.
What gets photos rejected

The things that actually fail

Not general advice, just the specific traps in this document’s own rules.

  • A compliant US passport photo is often not a compliant Japanese passport photo. The US standard allows a 25–35 mm head; Japan requires 32–36 mm. The bands barely overlap, and a photo at the US minimum fails Japan outright.
  • The 2x2 must be UNCUT: do not trim it.
  • School photographs may not be accepted.
  • The San Francisco consulate states it is best taken at a photo studio, because poor-quality digital photos may not be accepted.
Reserve a time

Hold a time, and it’s yours.

Live availability straight from our studio calendar. A reserved appointment is $200 and always includes both the digital file and your prints. Same-day times show here when we have them.

Get it right the first time.

We shoot it, check it against Japanese Passport’s own specification, and you leave with a photo that passes. If it is ever rejected, we reshoot it free.