The Magic World of Japanese Printers: Convenience Store

The world may be trying to be paperless, but in Japan, things are decisive. Despite the country’s high-tech image, here many areas of life, paper is still king. That’s why so many Japanese homes have printers. It makes it easier to create your own Nengajo (New Year’s card). So if a large printer slash copy machine is hidden in most Japanese corners Conbini (Convenience Store) can only print and copy, they may have disappeared a long time ago. But they have been sticking with it all this time because they have more capabilities.

Japan’s lasting paper culture

Japan has a deep relationship with paper, from traditional Washi paper boats to modern bureaucracies that still rely heavily on physical documents and Hanko (personal stamps). While the country may be known for robots and bullet trains, many aspects of daily life still depend on practical paperwork.

This cultural preference for physical documentation explains why the multifunctional printers found in Japanese convenience stores have developed to offer such a wide range of services. These machines are an important bridge between the digital and analog worlds, allowing residents and visitors to convert virtual files into something they can master.

Pictures of Japanese convenience store printers… have been printed from Japanese convenience store printers

Personal Service: Make digital content tangible

Photo Printing and Smartphone Paper-to-Paper Options

The versatile printer slash kits you can find in convenience stores certainly can’t get above smartphones, but they can add an extra feel to everything your Pocket Computer has to offer. Printing out photos that can be touched and composed (and cannot be hacked, and its importance is becoming more and more important today) seems like a small thing. After all, you can do this on a home printer as well – although you do need the right printer, sometimes special ink cartridges, as well as photo paper to do it correctly. Stop in Konbini and use a very simple Printsmash app (Lawson, Familymart and Ministop) or Kantan Netprint app (7-11) Fast making your photo physics is an underestimated service offered by Japanese convenience stores.

You can also print out your calendar using the photos of your choice to hang on the wall or fold into a standing shape using prefabricated templates (up to six major convenience stores). These work great in spaces where you don’t necessarily need electronics, like a bathroom or kitchen, but you can also think of them as unique decor that doesn’t require a battery or charge. Unlike a custom printing store, you don’t need to order at least 100 pieces.

The same goes for poster printouts or the ability to turn any uploaded file into a sticker – not only for decorative purposes, but also helps you organize items, or a quick custom gift for kids who don’t have a strong attachment to the hollow surface of the house.

Poster printed by Japanese printer

Basic official services

Get Juminhyo and other official documents

Most Konbini multi-function copiers offer official documentation services that allow local residents to use their various certificates My phone number Card. Usually this only works physically within the jurisdiction of your ward or city office, and the documents that can be printed vary from city to city, but usually include the most important ones. Juminhyo (Residence Certificate). Juminhyo has many uses, such as applying for a school or a variety of certificates, and often requires new employees from Japanese companies. Some agencies can get this information directly from my number card, but the vast majority still need to physically print the certificate, and Konbini’s multi-function copier lines are usually much shorter than the municipal office numbers.

You can get something similar Koseki Shomeisho (Home Register Certificate) etc. on the machine. Just make sure to note that since the service is connected to the local municipal office, documents can only be obtained within a specific hour (such as 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.) that vary by municipality.

On Familymart multifunctional replicators, you can also pay for bike insurance, almost every Konbini Let you pay For online shopping on sites like Amazon and Rakuten, fees may be charged for Japanese proficiency tests, etc.

Unique and unexpected features

Front page of historical newspaper

Do you like the front pages of any major Japanese newspapers since your date, e.g. Your birthday? The Konbini multi-function copier can provide you with it. In Lawson, you have to select something else and then find the newspaper printout feature, which allows you to select a date and one of six papers that the machine can access, including the Japan Times, Asahi Shimbun, and Yomiuri Shimbun. It’s still a rather obscure feature of convenience stores, but some people on social media have been spreading the word, often giving a lot of replies, saying some variations of “I want one too!”

Bromide and collectible printing services

Or some bromide? Not a compound, but Favorable photos. They originated in the late 19th century and originally featured famous singers, geishas, ​​sumo wrestlers and other celebrities of the day. They are still nearby, which is a big part of Japanese fanatic culture. Their diversity is amazing. From athletes to anime characters to YouTubers to rather obscure comic characters, you can collect and trade various bromides through the Konbini multi-function copier.

Entertainment Choice

You can also get humorous parody stickers for the upcoming holidays, such as saying “Overwhelming mom“For Mother’s Day. If you don’t have a phone and want to kill some time, you can also print out puzzles, sudoku or connect dot games. The bets related to music need to be solved, maybe maybe print music and song lyrics.

Store-specific differences and navigation tips

Each convenience store chain has its own version of these multi-function printers, with slightly changing services and user interfaces available. 7-11 machines use the Kantan Netprint system, while Lawson, Familymart and Ministop share the PrintsMash platform, although each platform may offer unique services that competitors cannot find.

Most machines use a touch screen interface, which includes multiple language options, including English, making it accommodate non-Japanese speakers. Prices are reasonable and clearly displayed before printing, most services cost between ¥30 and ¥200 per page, depending on the type of service and paper quality.

After all, the multi-function printer found on Konbini – the slash copy is not as useful as a smartphone, but there is something to say for things you can grasp. In this regard, convenience stores are extremely convenient.

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