Search Icon
Menu Icon
Menu Close icon

Hanko stamps are essential for life and work in Japan! How to make them and price quotes are explained.

update date
This site introduces products through an affiliate program.
Seals, red ink pad and seal mat

In Japan, it is customary to stamp a hanko stamp (inkan) in various situations, such as when receiving mail or signing a contract. On the other hand, many foreigners wonder, "Since the person is signing the document, shouldn't there be no need for a hanko?" On the other hand, there are many foreigners who wonder, "Since the person is signing the document, shouldn't there be no need for a hanko? However, the stamp culture is still deeply rooted in Japan and is an indispensable item in daily life.

For this reason, we recommend that all foreigners working or living in Japan create a personal hanko stamp. Hanko stamps are needed in a variety of situations, such as opening a bank account, signing a real estate contract, or receiving routine mail.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive explanation of stamps, from basic knowledge of stamps to how they are made and recommended retailers. By reading this article, you should be able to understand stamps in a nutshell.

▼Goandup Picks Click here for recommended articles!

Types and Uses of Hanko Stamps Used in Japan

In Japan, three main types of stamps are used in different situations. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics and uses of each.

1. registered seal｜the most important stamp registered with the local government

A registered seal is the most important stamp. It is used when signing important contracts that are legally binding, such as the purchase and sale of real estate or the establishment of a company.

When you create a registered seal, you are required to register your seal. Seal registration is the process of registering the impression of your personal seal at the municipal office of your city, ward, town or village and having a seal registration certificate issued. This registration officially certifies that the impression of the registered seal belongs to the owner.

A personal seal is treated with care as something that will be used throughout one's life. As a rule, do not share it with family members, but own it individually. Normally, you should store it in a safe or other safe deposit box and take it out only when necessary.

2. bank stamps｜stamps used at banks, etc.

A bank seal is a stamp used for procedures at a bank. It is required for important procedures at financial institutions, such as opening an account, applying for a loan, or issuing a cash card.

A bank seal can be used by registering the seal with the respective financial institution. The registered seal can be used only for transactions at that financial institution.

As a rule, a bank seal should also be owned by the individual. It is generally a slightly smaller size than a personal seal, but should be chosen according to the size of your hand and the number of letters in your name.

3. seal stamps used in daily life and work

A certified seal is a hanko used as a daily confirmation or indication of acceptance. They are useful in a wide range of situations, such as receiving parcel deliveries, circulating internal company documents, or as a confirmation seal for children's school submissions.

A certified seal does not require any particular registration or other procedures. It is characterized by the fact that it can be made easily and can be used immediately. It is relatively small in size and convenient to carry around.

In addition, it is acceptable to share a certified seal with a family member. If you are going to make a certified seal, it is recommended to make it under a family name.

Thus, it is important to use hankos for different purposes. In particular, it is important to understand the difference between a registered seal and a certified seal.

How to make a stamp stamp and basic knowledge you need to know

From here, we will explain how to create a hanko stamp. Learn the basic knowledge you need to know about the process of making a hanko stamp and the precautions regarding seal registration.

Flow of making stamps

Hanko stamps are generally made at specialty stores or on the Internet. The basic process for making one at a physical store is as follows

  1. Go to a stamp shop
  2. Select the material of the hanko (for a genuine jitsuin, high-grade materials such as black buffalo or boxwood are recommended).
  3. Select the size of the stamp (relatively larger for jitsuin and smaller for unregistered seals are the most common).
  4. Have your name engraved in the font of your choice (usually takes 3 days to a week)
  5. Receive a stamp stamp

In addition, nowadays it is possible to create stamps on the Internet. You can easily choose a design and typeface from the comfort of your home. In the case of online orders, the completed stamps are delivered to your home by courier service.

Requirements for stamp stamps that can be registered as seals

When considering the creation of a hanko stamp, you should also check the requirements for seal registration. To be used as a registered seal, the following requirements must be met

  • Circles from 8mm to 25mm in diameter
  • Design with borders
  • Name or common name as it appears on the certificate of residence
  • If you write your name in katakana, you need to register your name in katakana at the municipal office.

In addition, the rules for seal registration may differ depending on the municipality. It is advisable to check in advance at the municipal office or on the official website the requirements for seals that can be registered.

Main materials used for stamps and price quotations

The material used for stamping a hanko stamp has a significant impact on the durability of the stamp surface and the beauty of the finished product. The characteristics of the main materials and their prices on mail order sites are as follows.

  • Amber: A high-grade material made of natural resin that has hardened. It has excellent durability and a calm texture. Prices range from 10,000 yen to 50,000 yen.
  • Black buffalo: Material processed from buffalo horn. It has a sense of weight and a luxurious finish. Prices range from 5,000 to 20,000 yen.
  • Titanium: Lightweight and rust-resistant titanium is used among metals. Characterized by a sophisticated seal impression. Prices range from 10,000 to 30,000 yen.
  • Dutch buffalo: A material made by processing buffalo horn with resin. The advantage of this material is that it is strong and chip-resistant. Prices range from 3,000 to 10,000 yen.

For use as a certified seal, we recommend choosing a relatively inexpensive rubber stamp or shachihata (small personal seal) type, which can be purchased for 1,000 to 3,000 yen.

Choose the best stamp stamp material for your application and budget.

Recommended places to buy stamps stamps.

Hanko stamps can be purchased through e-commerce sites as well as physical stores. Here are some recommended e-commerce sites and physical stores where you can buy stamps.

List of recommended e-commerce sites where stamps can be purchased

Here are five recommended e-commerce sites.

1. Sirusi

Hanjo Premium

3. heian-do

  • Minimum price: from about 10,000
  • Shipping: 770 yen and up (shipping costs vary by region; free shipping for orders over 11,000 yen)
  • Characteristics: Heian-do offers seals made from a wide variety of high-grade seal materials. High-quality materials such as ivory and crystal are particularly attractive, and are recommended for foreigners who want to feel the traditional Japanese seal culture.
  • Website:Heiando

4. hanko star

  • Minimum price: from about 2,000 yen
  • Shipping: 640 yen flat rate nationwide (free shipping for purchases of 5,500 yen or more)
  • Characteristics: Hanko Star is an online retailer specializing in high quality seals at low prices. Integrated production at our own factory guarantees design and quality.
  • Website:Low price, high quality, online mail order seal specialty store "Hanko Star".

5. seal-artisan-takumi.com

  • Minimum price: from about 2,000 yen
  • Shipping: 550 yen flat rate nationwide (free shipping for purchases of 5,500 or more)
  • Features: Seal Takumi.com offers high-quality seals made with traditional techniques. Many of the products are made with craftsmanship and are perfect for foreigners who are looking for a special piece of art.
  • Website:Seal Takumi.com

List of recommended stamp dealers

For those who prefer to purchase stamps by actually visiting a store, here are five stamp dealers.

Shibuya Hankodo

  • Location: 101 Bella Court Shibuya, 7-3 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
  • Access: 10 min. walk from Shibuya Station
  • Business hours: 9:30-19:00 weekdays
  • Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays
  • Features: Located a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station, some items can be picked up on the same day. Average prices range from 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen, convenient if you need a stamp in a hurry.
  • Website:Shibuya Hankodo

Rakuzen-do

  • Location: 1-1 Minami-cho, Hachioji City, Tokyo
  • Access: 8 min. walk from Hachioji Station
  • Business hours: 9:00-18:00
  • Closed: Sunday and national holidays
  • Characteristics: Founded in 1899, this is a well-established stamp store with many achievements and a wealth of experience. With average prices ranging from 5,000 yen to 20,000 yen, we offer high-quality, lifetime stamps.
  • Website:Character Studio Rakuzen-do

Hankoya 21

  • Locations: Stores located throughout Japan
  • Access: Varies according to each store
  • Hours of operation: Vary according to each store
  • Closed: Varies according to each store
  • Features: 展開する chain of stores nationwide, available in a wide range of locations. Average prices range from 5,000 yen to 20,000 yen, offering consistent quality and service.
  • Website:【 Official 】 Hankoya-san 21

Hanko Wholesale Center

  • Location: 2-9-20 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • Access: 4 min. walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Sta.
  • Business hours: 10:00-19:00 (until 16:00 on Saturdays only)
  • Closed: Sunday and national holidays
  • Characteristics: A popular stamp store with the motto "fast, inexpensive, and courteous. With average prices ranging from 3,000 yen to 6,000 yen, we offer seals with excellent cost performance.
  • Website:Hanko Wholesale Center Shinjuku] is a hanko shop in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo:

Ito Inbo

  • Location: 1-19-4 Senzoku, Taito-ku, Tokyo
  • Access: 15 min. walk from Iriya Station
  • Business hours: 8:00-18:30
  • Closed: No regular holidays
  • Feature: A hanko store where female craftsmen handcraft each seal one by one. The average price ranges from 8,000 yen to 50,000 yen, and the shop offers one-of-a-kind, original seals.
  • Website:Ito Inbo

At a physical store, you can choose a stamp stamp while consulting with the staff. Why not find a dealer near you?

Future demand for stamps in Japan

In recent years, the introduction of electronic contracts and electronic signatures has accelerated the "de-hanko" movement in Japan. The government is also promoting the computerization of administrative procedures, and the need for stamp stamps is expected to diminish in the future.

However, there are still many situations in which stamp stamps are still required. In particular, real estate-related contracts and financial institution procedures will continue to require the use of stamps. In addition, there are many situations in which stamps are useful in corporate operations, such as approving and circulating internal documents.

It should still take a certain amount of time before the stamp stamps are completely eliminated. For the time being, it is expected that the trend toward digitization and the use of stamp stamps will proceed in parallel.

Hanko stamps are not just an approval tool, but also an item that symbolizes Japanese culture and customs. As business with foreign countries increases, it is important to understand the Japanese business culture behind the hanko stamp.

Serious employment support to help you realize your dream of working in Japan!

Do you want to work in Japan?
Let us "Goandup" make that dream a reality!

【 Program Features 】
✅ JLPT N3 level Japanese language acquisition
✅ Thorough preparation for the specific skills test
✅ Full support for job hunting in Japan

Business-focused one-on-one lessons will help you find a job in Japan in the shortest possible time.

【 Program Menu 】

  • Individual Japanese language lessons
    • Intensive curriculum to obtain N3, especially specialized lessons for business Japanese that can be used at work.

  • Preparation for the Specific Skills Test
    • Customized materials for specific skill tests will be used to focus on frequently asked questions and learning to pass the test.

  • Resume and CV support
    • To create resumes and CVs tailored to Japanese corporate culture, and to brush up on self-promotion and motivation for application.

  • Interview Preparation
    • Guidance on areas for improvement through mock interviews and feedback based on corporate interview scenarios. Learn interview etiquette and behavior unique to Japan.

  • career consulting
    • Provide introductions to companies that match the participant's career goals, select companies to apply to, and provide advice on the level of knowledge required by the companies to which the participant is applying.

  • Chat Support
    • In addition to one-on-one individual lessons, we also accept casual questions via DM (visa application, living support, assistance in finding a room, etc.).

If you are serious about your career in Japan, join us now!

▶︎ for more informationclick here.

We will do our best to support your success in Japan!

summary

Hanko stamps are an essential part of working and living in Japan. It is important to understand the different types and uses of personal seals, bank seals, and certified seals, as well as how to create them.

The hanko stamp is more than just an approval tool. It is also an item that symbolizes Japanese business culture and customs. In order to live smoothly in Japan, it is important to learn the proper usage of Hanko stamps.

In the future, the need for stamp stamps may gradually diminish as the trend toward digitization accelerates. However, for the time being, there will remain situations where stamp stamps will play an active role.

We hope this article will help you understand more about stamps. We hope you will create a stamp that suits you and use it with care.

  • Your support will help us!

  • Thank you for visiting Goandup Picks. Our mission is to provide you with more useful information to show the world what Japan has to offer.

    Your support will help us to further enhance our activities, so please support us!

  • ▶︎ Support is available atclick here!

    • Related Articles

    Goandup Picks for Expats > Lifestyle Support > Guide to Daily Life > Hanko stamps are essential for life and work in Japan! How to make them and price quotes are explained.