List of Labs Developing Film in Japan

Finding an Affordable Photo Lab in Japan

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Last week, I sent seven rolls of film (five 35mm and two 120) to the lab where I usually get my film developed. Unlike most people, I don’t use a local lab. Instead, I ship my film all the way to Iwate Prefecture to a lab called Prinet One.

Why? Simple: local labs are just too expensive in my area. (You’ll find a list of labs developping film in Japan at the end of the post 👇)

This is a shot I took last autumn during the Kanuma Aki Matsuri. Massive wooden festival floats, beautifully decorated with intricate carvings, are paraded through the city. On board, flute and drum players fill the streets with festival music, while the floats are pulled and pushed entirely by human power. To prevent them from snagging electric and phone lines, two or three people usually stand on the roof to guide them through. Shot on Fujifilm Superia Xtra 400 with my Leica M6.

Why I Ship My Film Across Japan

Film photography has become a niche in Japan—especially in the countryside. With fewer people shooting film, keeping development machines running isn’t profitable, so prices at local labs have gone way up. Rather than paying a premium, I choose to send my film to Prinet One and wait a week for the results.

I’ve been using them for two years now, and they always do a great job. If you’re in Japan and need a reliable lab, I highly recommend checking them out. They also offer printing services, which is another great way to enjoy your film work beyond just scanning.

The only downside? They recently stopped developing black and white film. Unfortunately, finding a good B&W lab in Japan is getting harder, and more places are dropping it altogether.

Another shot from the festival in Kanuma. This time, I was shooting on Reflx 800, a film well-known for its light leaks. Normally, that’s not a good thing, but in this case, it worked. It gave the image a horror-like feel, which I actually like. Also shot with my Leica M6 and a flash.

The Joy of Waiting for Film

One of the best parts of shooting film is the anticipation.

I usually wait until I have at least five rolls before sending them in. Since I don’t shoot as much film as I used to, this means there’s a pretty big gap between shooting and seeing the results.

And honestly? That’s part of the fun.

By the time I get my scans back, I’ve usually forgotten half of what I shot. Each roll is a surprise—a collection of memories and moments from weeks or even months ago. Seeing those images again, after time has passed, adds an element of nostalgia and excitement that digital photography just can’t replicate.

Forgetting what you shot can be fun—especially when you get some good surprises. But the last seven rolls I sent out weren’t exactly joyful to see. It made me realize that shooting film should be more intentional, not just a bunch of boring snapshots… I have my XF10 for that.

At the same time, it also reminded me that I want—and need—to shoot more film. I’ve got plenty sitting in my fridge, and honestly, it’s a waste to keep it in there next to the food and vegetables.

On the other hand, the two rolls of 120 I shot were just a test to see if my Yashica Mat 124G was still working. I hadn’t touched that camera in a while, and I used to have issues with the first two frames. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case this time. As long as I use my phone to meter the light (since the built-in meter is dead), the camera is still good to go.

The Yashica Mat is my first—and only—medium format camera. I chose a TLR because I’ve always loved the square format. To be honest, it’s a joy to use, even though I still struggle with composing my shots. Utsunomiya, Japan. 2025. Shot on Kodak Gold.

If you're a film photography enthusiast in Japan, finding a reliable lab to develop your film can be a challenge, especially with the decline in local processing facilities. However, several options are available across the country. Here's a curated list of film development labs, organized by region and city:

Tokyo

• Yasui Camera

  • Address: Kyoto, Japan

  • Services: 35mm color film development with same/next-day service, medium format processing, and scanning. Black and white and reversal films are outsourced.

  • Website: https://yasuicamera.com/film-development-english/

• Yellow Jacket

  • Address: Near Sendagi Station on the Chiyoda subway line, Tokyo

  • Services: Film development and scanning services.

  • Note: A local favorite among film enthusiasts.

  • Website: https://tokyocamerastyle.com/post/701303569641521152/there-are-still-a-lot-of-great-photo-labs-in

Osaka

• Kitamura Camera

  • Services: Film development and scanning services.

  • Note: Multiple locations across Osaka.

  • Website: https://www.kitamura.jp/

Sapporo

• Yodobashi Camera

  • Services: Film development services.

  • Address: Located near Sapporo Station.

  • Website: https://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0063/

• Kitamura Camera

  • Services: Film processing and scanning.

  • Address: Various locations in Sapporo.

  • Website: https://www.kitamura.jp/

Nationwide Services

• Prinet One

  • Services: Mail-in film development and printing services.

  • Note: Ideal for those preferring to ship their film for processing.

  • Website: https://prinet1.com

• Big Box Retailers

  • Yodobashi Camera, BIC Camera, and LABI

    • Services: Film development services.

    • Note: These retailers send films to external labs for processing, resulting in longer wait times.

    • Websites: Yodobashi Camera, BIC Camera, LABI

Please note that services and availability may vary, and it's advisable to contact the labs directly for the most current information.

Do you still shoot film? Where do you get yours developed? Let me know—I’d love to hear about other good labs, especially for black and white if you are in Japan.

Until next time,
Jas