Illicit Photo Stalls Selling Idol Snapshots Thrive at Staen Live Venues in Fukuoka and Nagoya

Hidden shots of the idols from “STARTO ENTERTAINMENT” (referred to as “Staen”) and photos taken during the live performances, which are supposed to be prohibited, are known among fans as “shadow photos.” For years, shadow photo stalls have been a fixture around live venues, alongside ticket scalpers. These stalls have continued their business by obtaining tickets for seats that make it easy to take illicit photos, often collaborating with scalpers. At their peak during the mid-Heisei era, they reportedly generated sales of up to 6 million yen per month.

“There are two conditions that make Staen concerts particularly conducive to taking photos. The first is that most audience members have fans (uchiwa). When they display messages like ‘Look this way,’ the idols respond. Fans often bring multiple fans and switch them out depending on which member is nearby, so it doesn’t seem unnatural if they’re hiding their hands while fidgeting. Many concerts for ‘LDH’ or regular artists prohibit bringing fans, but this has become ingrained in the culture of Staen.

The second condition is the lack of measures against ticket resales. There’s no resale system in place (where the official organizers buy back tickets from customers who can no longer attend and redistribute them via lottery), and there’s no identity verification when entering the venue. Fans can easily obtain tickets for seats that are easy to photograph through resale sites or personal transactions. Photographers entering the venue are usually in pairs. They bring in a DSLR camera in a double-bag, with one person using support goods like fans to conceal their hands while the other takes shots from higher seats using a telephoto lens,” said a representative from a shadow photo stall.

 

Reasons Why Fukuoka and Nagoya Are Hotspots

Between 2016 and 2017, as tickets transitioned from paper to digital, street scalpers were cleared from arenas and domes, leading to the disappearance of shadow photo stalls as well. However, these stalls have adapted and still exist today.

“First of all, it’s impossible to operate in Tokyo Dome. Shadow photo stalls can only set up on public roads outside the dome premises, but Tokyo Dome has restaurants and other facilities within its grounds, meaning attendees don’t venture outside. Additionally, there are a lot of security guards, and with the venue situated between two major train stations, there are no discreet spots to operate. In Sapporo, it’s simply too cold; if they can only profit during warmer months, they should consider other methods,” said a representative from the shadow photo industry.

Similar to Tokyo, it’s extremely difficult to set up shadow photo stalls in Osaka for the same reasons. Yet, for some reason, shadow photo stalls cannot be eradicated in Fukuoka and Nagoya among Japan’s five major domes.

“In regional domes, there are often large commercial facilities like Aeon Mall nearby, and this is true for Fukuoka’s Mizuho PayPay Dome and Nagoya’s Vantelin Dome Nagoya. These regional domes are built in suburban areas, leaving few other dining options. Many fans arriving hours before a show to meet friends, buy goods, or trade tickets have no choice but to spend time in these commercial facilities, increasing their chances of encountering the stalls. Moreover, since only people attending the concert are generally in the area, it’s less likely that outsiders will report them. Additionally, the stalls are situated along major roads, making it easy for them to park and quickly escape in their vehicles if discovered. They can operate quite stealthily, making it difficult for authorities to crack down on them,” explained a security company representative.

Officially released by “Staen” are promotional photos taken months before the live events, as well as offshoots from album shoots. Photos taken during the live performances can only be obtained through these unofficial shops selling illicitly taken pictures, which is why there is still a certain number of fans willing to purchase them despite knowing they are illegal.

“There are shadow shops selling Staen’s illicit photos in entertainment districts nationwide, but in Fukuoka, the nearest store is over an hour away by train from the city center. It takes about an hour and a half from the dome, making it too far to visit as a side trip during a live event. So, fans end up seeing the photos offered by the shadow photo stalls at the concert venue. The price is around 1,000 yen for a set of eight photos. If your favorite idol changes their hairstyle during the live show, the only place to get those photos of that look is right here,” said a 23-year-old idol fan, using the pseudonym Mai.

In Nagoya, shadow photo stalls openly use social media to announce their weekly new arrivals, cleverly promoting their business.

“In Nagoya, shadow photo stalls tend to have a longer lifespan than storefronts renting space. Permanent shops often relocate or close down quickly, making it difficult to find reliable information about their locations. Because these stores are unstable, there seems to be a demand for stalls positioned right in front of the concert venues. The photo offerings include images not just from Nagoya performances, indicating that they operate on a national scale,” said a representative from a security company.

The shadow photos sold include pictures of beloved idols smoking in designated areas, candid shots from dressing rooms, and even photos of middle and high school talent during their commutes. Payments are made entirely in cash. Perhaps the best way to combat this issue is for fans to be more cautious and avoid engaging in these purchases.