Kanken (Japan Kanji Aptitude Test): Photo Spec and How to Create It
Make a Kanken admission-card photo that meets the official guidance from the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, from a smartphone shot, for ¥200.
| Dimensions | 40mm × 30mm |
|---|---|
| Face length | Not specified |
| Top margin | Not specified |
| Background | Background color is not officially specified — a plain white or light-colored background is generally safe |
| Shoot-by window | Taken within 6 months of application |
| Official issuer | The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation |
View the official source ↗(Last verified: 2026-05-27)
Verbatim official spec
Below are the original Japanese passages from the official "Exam Flow" page and the official FAQ published by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation.
- 「検定当日、受検票に顔写真(タテ4cm×ヨコ3cm、6か月以内に撮影、上半身無帽・マスクなし、正面)を貼り付けて持参してください。」
- 「【1級・準1級・2級・準2級・3級の方へ】※2024年度第1回検定より3級も対象です」
- 「顔写真を貼付しない場合、検定結果資料の発送が差し止められます」
- 「顔写真は、縦4cm×横3cm、マスクなし、6ヶ月以内に撮影したもの、上半身無帽、正面を向いているお写真のご用意をお願いします」
- 「白黒でも可 / プリクラおよびプリクラで撮った証明写真は不可」
Why this spec matters
Photos are required only for in-person paper-based testing (PBT) at Levels 1, Pre-1, 2, Pre-2, and 3. Levels 4 through 10, CBT (computer-based testing), and testing at affiliated venues such as schools and cram schools do not require a photo. Note especially that Level 3 added the photo requirement from the 2024 first sitting onward — if you sat the exam before that, or are following older information, this is a recent change. The official guidance also states that if no photo is affixed to the admission card, the foundation will suspend dispatch of result documents. The spec calls for a 40×30mm photo taken within the past six months, upper body, no hat, no mask, facing forward. Color and black-and-white are both acceptable, but the official FAQ explicitly prohibits photos taken with purikura (sticker-photo) booths.
How to create it for ¥200
With a smartphone and ¥200, you can prepare a Kanken admission-card photo in time for exam day without stress.
- 1
Take the photo on your smartphone
Stand against a plain wall in a bright room. Upper body, no hat, no mask, neutral expression or slight smile, eyes on the lens. Make sure no fringe covers your eyes. - 2
AI removes the background and fits the spec
Upload the photo. AI removes the background, detects your face, and auto-crops to the Kanken spec (40×30mm). Fine-tune face position to 0.1mm precision if needed. - 3
Print at a Japan convenience store via QR code, then glue onto the admission card
After payment, a QR code and 8-digit user number arrive by email. Print on L-size paper at any Japan convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, etc.) from ¥30, cut out the photo, glue it onto your admission card, and bring it to the exam venue.
Create a Kanken Admission Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the 40×30mm Kanken spec. A QR code for convenience-store printing is emailed to you.
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
Do I need a photo for Level 3 as well?
Are photos required for Level 4 and below, or for CBT and affiliated venues?
Can I use a purikura photo instead?
Color or black-and-white — which is preferred?
What happens if I forget to affix the photo to the admission card?
Related content
Create a Kanken Admission Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the 40×30mm Kanken spec. A QR code for convenience-store printing is emailed to you.
Create now — ¥200