Samurai Sword, a Japanese IT company, has launched “My Message Card,” a new service that allows users to create original message cards using a smartphone or computer and print them immediately at Konbini (Japanese convenience stores) nationwide.
The biggest feature of this service is that there is no need to install a dedicated application. Everything from selecting a design to entering text can be completed within a web browser.
Life in Japan is filled with milestone events such as school entrance ceremonies, graduations, weddings, and childbirth. This service offers templates for “Uchiiwai” (return gifts sent to express gratitude for a celebratory gift) associated with such events, as well as templates for conveying daily thanks. It seems set to become a new standard in gift-giving culture, solving the modern dilemma of “wanting to express gratitude but lacking the time to make something by hand” or “not being satisfied with store-bought cards.”
An Immediate Tool to Fill the “Last Mile” Gap in Gifting
We have all likely experienced realizing we forgot to buy a message card after preparing a gift. Until now, the only options were to rush to a stationery store or settle for a simple memo pad. However, a new option has emerged: “Printing at a Konbini.”
The strength of this service lies in its availability 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at approximately 30,000 convenience stores across Japan. Even late at night or early in the morning, you can print the necessary number of cards on the spot. This convenience is unique to Japan, where high-performance multi-function copiers are widespread.
Furthermore, it goes beyond simple text printing by allowing users to incorporate photos they have taken into the design. Simply by applying a memorable photo from your smartphone’s camera roll to a template, a unique, one-of-a-kind card is complete. It is a service that combines digital technology with the convenience of physical stores (real locations).
Goodbye to “Handmade Fatigue.” No Design Sense Required
Trying to create a heartfelt message card surprisingly requires a lot of effort. You have to choose the card stock and pens, and handwrite carefully to avoid mistakes. If you want to include photos, you have the hassle of printing, cutting, and pasting them. Furthermore, trying to decorate with masking tape or stickers requires artistic sense.
“I want to put my heart into it, but I can’t spend that much time on preparation”—this is the honest feeling of busy modern people.
“My Message Card” solves this “DIY fatigue” with the power of digital technology. There are 55 templates available in total. Since they are already decorated by professional designers, users can create high-quality cards just by selecting a photo and adjusting the text. There is no need to worry about font selection or color balance.
All 55 Types! Lineup by Scene
A noteworthy point of this service is that the templates are abundant and practical. The lineup takes into account Japan’s complex gift-giving culture and manners. Below is an introduction to specific usage scenes and the breakdown of templates.
“Graduation and Entrance” to Celebrate New Beginnings
The Japanese school year begins in April. Spring is a season of meetings and partings.
- Graduation (3 types): Use these to thank teachers or say goodbye to friends.
- School Entrance Uchiiwai (School entrance celebration return gift / 5 types): Send these to relatives in return for their celebratory gifts, accompanied by a photo of the child in their formal attire.
“Marriage and Childbirth” Where Etiquette is Key
Calm designs and standard phrases are available that will not be rude even in formal situations.
- Marriage Celebration / Marriage Uchiiwai (5 types): You can include a photo of the couple and use it as a card that also serves as a marriage announcement.
- Childbirth Uchiiwai (3 types): It can also serve as a naming card to introduce the newborn baby’s face.
Once-a-Year Anniversary “Birthday”
- Birthday (6 types): You can choose from designs with different atmospheres, ranging from those for friends to those for family.
Highly Versatile “Simple / General Uchiiwai”
- Simple (7 types): These designs are not limited to specific uses. They are useful for daily thanks or return gifts that include multiple elements.
Formal Greetings “Memorial Services / Greetings”
The sense of security provided by standard phrases is important in situations where etiquette is strict.
- Buddhist Memorial Service (6 types): A calm tone suitable for solemn occasions.
- New Construction Uchiiwai / Moving Uchiiwai (5 types): You can also use this to include a photo or map of your new home.
- Retirement (4 types): Use this to express gratitude to supervisors and colleagues who have supported you.
“Recovery and Health” Requiring Consideration
- Recovery from Illness / Return Gift for Get-Well Gift (3 types): Bright designs that report recovery from illness and give the recipient peace of mind.
- Longevity Uchiiwai (Longevity celebration / 1 type): Used for return gifts for longevity celebrations such as Kanreki (60th birthday).
Seasonal Events
- Seasonal Festivals (2 types): Suitable for events celebrating children’s growth, such as Momo no Sekku (Girls’ Day) and Tango no Sekku (Children’s Day).
- Valentine’s Day (5 types): Use as a card to accompany chocolates. Designs with space for handwritten messages are also convenient.
These designs are as of the release date and are scheduled to be added from time to time in the future.
No App Needed! Smart Usage Completed in 3 Steps
The service usage procedure is very simple. Complex preparations like “downloading from the app store and registering as a member…” are completely unnecessary. Since it is completed within the browser, you can start making it the moment you think of it.
- Select Template: Access the official service site ( https://mynoshigami.net/mymessage/ 🇯🇵 ) and choose a design that suits your purpose.
- Edit Photo and Text: Upload a photo from your smartphone and edit the name and message based on the standard text.
- Print at Konbini: Simply enter the issued print reservation number into a multi-copy machine at a convenience store (such as Lawson or FamilyMart).
Of particular note is the “Standard Text Editing Function.” All cards come with appropriate greeting text pre-entered for the scene. Even those who are not good at thinking of what to write can use it as is. Of course, it is also possible to rewrite it in your own words. Because there is a “Template” (Kata), you can add arrangements with peace of mind. This sense of balance is exquisite.
Don’t Miss the Limited Time “Memory Making Support Campaign”
To commemorate the release of the service, an attractive campaign is also being held. For those approaching the graduation season (March in Japan), this is a perfect opportunity to preserve memories in physical form.
- Campaign Name: Graduation and Kindergarten Graduation Memory Making Support Campaign
- Period: February 2, 2026 (Mon) – March 31, 2026 (Fri)
- Prize: Amazon Gift Card worth 1,000 yen (approx. 6.5 USD) for 10 people via lottery
- How to Apply: Follow the My Series Official X (formerly Twitter) account ( @myseries_ss 🇯🇵 ) and repost the target post.
This project is filled with the desire to “have people print photos and leave them in physical form at life milestones like graduation.” Precisely because saving photos as digital data has become the norm, the value of keeping them as physical “photos” or “cards” is being reconsidered. Why not take this opportunity to print one of the best photos sleeping in your smartphone?
https://cp.myseriesprint.com/cp/2 🇯🇵
High Expectations for Future Developments
The operator, Samurai Sword, has previously deployed print services that are niche but make you think “it would be nice to have,” such as “My Noshigami” (traditional gift wrapping paper) and “My Mizuhiki” (decorative cord seals). “My Message Card” was also born from such user-perspective problem-solving.
Moving forward, they plan to support even more diverse events such as return gifts for condolence money (funeral return gifts), Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, and Respect for the Aged Day. The day when the act of “making a message card at a Konbini” becomes established in Japanese life may be near.
When you panic right before giving a present, realizing “I don’t have a card!”, please remember this service. It will surely save you from a pinch. First, just looking at what designs are available on the official website will lead to fun discoveries.
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