Japan Cook License (Chouri-shi) Exam Photo: Spec and How to Create It
Make a photo for the Japan Cook License exam — administered prefecture-by-prefecture and recognised by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — from a smartphone shot and AI auto-adjustment, from ¥200.
| Dimensions | 40mm × 30mm |
|---|---|
| Face length | Not specified |
| Top margin | Not specified |
| Background | Plain or light-colored background — shoot against an uncluttered wall with even lighting and no shadows |
| Shoot-by window | Taken within 6 months of application |
| Official issuer | Cooking Technology and Skills Center (MHLW / Prefectural Governor License) |
View the official source ↗(Last verified: 2026-05-26)
Verbatim official spec
Below is verbatim text (Japanese) from the official exam guide published by the Cooking Technology and Skills Center (GGC). The Cook License is issued by each prefectural governor, so specs may differ slightly by prefecture.
- 「縦4㎝×横3㎝」
- 「受験票には縦4cm✕横3cmの証明写真を貼り付け、写真の裏面には、受験する都道府県と氏名、生年月日の記入が必要」
Why this spec matters
⚠️ The Japan Cook License (chouri-shi) is a national qualification under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, but the license is issued by each prefectural governor, and the exam is administered prefecture-by-prefecture. Most prefectures use the unified exam run by the Cooking Technology and Skills Center (GGC), which specifies a 4cm × 3cm (30×40mm) photo, but some prefectures may apply their own rules — always verify the latest exam guide for the prefecture you're applying to. There are two routes to the license: (1) middle-school graduation + 2 years of cooking work experience + passing the exam, or (2) graduating from an MHLW-approved cooking school (exam-exempt). About 80% of applicants take the work-experience route. Roughly 20,000 candidates sit the exam each year with a ~60% pass rate. A unique rule: you must hand-write "applying prefecture / name / date of birth" on the BACK of the photo before pasting it on the admission slip — missing this triggers a rejection.
How to create it for ¥200
A Cook License exam photo (30×40mm, within 6 months) takes about two minutes with a smartphone and ¥200. Always cross-check against the current guide for your prefecture.
- 1
Take the photo on your smartphone
Stand against a plain wall in a bright room. Face the camera directly, remove all headwear including chef hats and bandanas, frame the upper body, natural expression, eyes on the lens. - 2
AI removes the background and aligns to spec
Upload the photo. AI removes the background, detects your face, and auto-crops to 4cm × 3cm (30×40mm). Fine-tune to 0.1mm precision if your prefecture uses a non-standard size. - 3
Print via QR code at any Japan convenience store
After payment, a QR code and 8-digit user number arrive by email. Print on L-size paper at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, or Poplar — from ¥30. After printing, remember to write the three items on the back before pasting.
Create a Japan Cook License Exam Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the GGC spec (4cm × 3cm = 30×40mm) used by most prefectures. Non-standard prefectural sizes are supported to 0.1mm precision.
Create now — ¥200What Ramune AI ID Photo offers
Even for a tight spec like My Number, you can finish the entire shoot → process → print workflow in your browser.
0.1mm face position adjustment
Drag the hairline, chin, and face-width guides — or type the millimetre value — to fit inside even a 4mm-wide regulatory window like the My Number spec.
Auto-generated L-size print sheet
Multiple photos optimally arranged on L-size paper with cut marks. Print directly at home or at a convenience store.
AI removes the background automatically
Walls or objects in the original shot are auto-removed; AI converts the photo to the plain background the spec requires.
AI skin smoothing with a natural finish
Auto-reduces blemishes and uneven tone while keeping a natural look. Choose between the original and the smoothed version.
Print at 55,000 convenience stores nationwide
Scan a QR code at the multi-copy machine in 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, or Poplar — L-size prints from ¥30.
5-language support, no app required
Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese — works entirely in your smartphone browser without installing an app.
Frequently asked questions
Are the photo specs different across all 47 prefectures?
Can I write the back-of-photo information by hand?
I'm exempt from the exam by graduating from a cooking school — do I still need a photo?
Can I submit a black-and-white photo?
Does the photo spec differ between the work-experience route and the cooking-school route?
Related content
Create a Japan Cook License Exam Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the GGC spec (4cm × 3cm = 30×40mm) used by most prefectures. Non-standard prefectural sizes are supported to 0.1mm precision.
Create now — ¥200