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The Scary Reasons Purikura Booths In Japan Ban Men
If you’re an unaccompanied male, odds are you won’t be allowed near one. Here’s why.
By Marin Akasaka
Purikura photo booths, where filters can transform users into anime-like characters, are a beloved activity for many young people in Japan. In vibrant areas like Shibuya and Harajuku, high school girls (女子高生; joshi kousei, or “JK” for short) often explore game centers and purikura shops.
These spaces, adorned in pastel pink and filled with pop music, provide the full purikura experience. Some even offer beauty stations with mirrors, hair irons, and makeup tools for customers to enhance their looks. Over time, these purikura hubs have become cultural staples for JKs and young women in Japan.
However, in recent years, many purikura shops have started displaying signs that bar single men. Why? And is this legal?
What people are saying
It feels almost surreal to encounter signs that restrict entry based on gender in today’s world. Unsurprisingly, many people have used the internet to voice their opinions on this controversial policy.
