A Kawaii Makeover in Japan: Purikura & Arcade Fun in Kochi ๐ŸŽŒโœจ

Siva McAteer • September 6, 2025

Purikura & Arcade Fun in Kochi ๐ŸŽŒโœจ

Forget everything you know about photo booths—because in Japan, they’ve taken the concept to a whole new level. On Day 5 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stumbled into the Maruge Kochi store and discovered the magic of Purikura (ใƒ—ใƒชใ‚ฏใƒฉ)—Japan’s famous kawaii photo booths.

What is Purikura? ๐Ÿ“ธ๐Ÿ’–
The word Purikura is short for “Print Club” (purinto kurabu), and it’s one of Japan’s most beloved photo experiences. Unlike your average photo booth, Purikura machines transform you into a kawaii, anime-inspired version of yourself. Think: flawless skin, sparkling eyes, and endless filters to play with.

But that’s not all—after your photo session, you get to edit your pics with:
  • Digital makeup (eyeshadow, lipstick, blush—you name it)
  • Cute stickers, borders, and doodles
  • Feature adjustments like larger eyes, slimmer face, or even taller height
  • Messages and signatures using a digital pen

And the best part? Your finished creations are printed out as stickers—perfect souvenirs of your Japan trip. Some newer machines even send your photos or short videos straight to your phone!

๐Ÿ’ก Fun fact: Purikura became insanely popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it’s still a must-do for teens, couples, and travelers alike.

A Full-On Kawaii Makeover ๐Ÿ’•

What makes Purikura extra fun is that many locations, like Maruge Kochi, even have styling areas where you can prep before your shoot. Some offer hair straighteners, mirrors, and even costumes—so you can go all-in on the kawaii experience.


Arcade Adventures in Kochi ๐ŸŽฎ

But the fun doesn’t stop at Purikura. While at Maruge Kochi, we couldn’t resist checking out the arcade! From quirky crane machines (yes, we spotted one with toilet paper prizes ๐Ÿ˜‚) to the legendary Taiko Drum Game, there’s something for everyone.


The atmosphere is lighthearted, loud, and fun—exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese arcade. The key takeaway? Don’t take it too seriously—just enjoy it!๏ปฟ

Why Visit Maruge Kochi Store ๐Ÿฎ

Located right in the heart of Kochi City, Maruge Kochi store is a great stop if you’re exploring the area near Obiyamachi Shopping Street. Whether you’re:


  • Trying Purikura for the first time
  • Competing with friends at Taiko drums
  • Or chasing quirky prizes in crane machines


…it’s the perfect way to add a little playfulness to your Japan adventure.


๐Ÿ“ Maruge Kochi store (ใพใ‚‹ใ‚ฒ้ซ˜็Ÿฅๅบ—)

1 Chome-14-9 Obiyamachi, Kochi, 780-0841, Japan


Final Thoughts ๐ŸŒธ

If you’re looking for something unique, unforgettable, and oh-so-kawaii, Purikura is a must-do in Japan. Add in the arcades, laughter, and maybe even a drum battle or two, and you’ve got memories that will last long after your cruise is over.


So next time you’re in Kochi, skip the boring photo booths and go full anime makeover mode with Purikura. Trust me—you’ll thank me later. ๐Ÿ˜‰๏ปฟ

#Purikura #KawaiiMakeover #JapanesePhotoBooth #KochiJapan #MarugeKochi #AnimeEyes #KawaiiCulture #TaikoDrums #JapanArcade #JapanTravel #CelebrityCruises #JapanCruise #PrintClub #JapanVibes #UGCCreator

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