Hanko & Inkan Guide for Foreigners in Japan: Jitsuin, Ginko-in & Mitomein Explained

Quick answer (30 seconds): A hanko (判子) — also called an inkan (印鑑) — is a small name stamp used in Japan where other countries use a signature. You don't need an expensive one to live here: most daily situations accept either a mitomein (認印, an everyday unregistered seal) or, increasingly, a signature. You only need a registered seal (jitsuin, 実印) for big contracts (buying property or a car, some visa-related paperwork), and a bank seal (ginko-in, 銀行印) is optional at most foreigner-friendly banks that now allow signature accounts. If you do order a seal, you can have one made with your name in katakana, romaji, or kanji.

ℹ️ Which forms accept a seal vs. a signature is changing fast as Japan digitizes (the government has been removing many hanko requirements). When in doubt, ask the specific office or bank — practice varies by ward and institution.

What is a hanko / inkan?

A hanko is a carved stamp of your name. You press it onto a small pad of red ink (shuniku, 朱肉) and stamp documents to show your agreement — the equivalent of signing. "Hanko" refers to the physical stamp; "inkan" technically refers to the impression it leaves, but in everyday speech the two words are used interchangeably.

There are three functional types, and the difference is not the stamp itself but how it's registered and used:

• Mitomein (認印) — an everyday, unregistered seal. Used for parcels, internal company forms, acknowledging receipt. Cheap and replaceable.
• Ginko-in (銀行印) — the seal you register with a bank when opening an account the traditional way. One seal, kept safe, used to authorize bank actions.
• Jitsuin (実印) — a seal you officially register at your city/ward office (see inkan toroku below). It carries legal weight for major contracts.

The same physical stamp could in theory be any of the three; the type is defined by where you've registered it. In practice people keep them separate for security.

Do you actually need one? (The honest answer)