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)

For most foreign residents in 2026, a single inexpensive mitomein covers almost everything, and many situations now accept a signature instead. Here's the realistic breakdown:

• Opening a bank account: Many banks popular with foreigners let you open a signature-based account with no seal at all. Some traditional banks still ask for a ginko-in — ask before you go.
• Renting an apartment: The lease and guarantor paperwork may ask for a seal. A mitomein is often accepted; high-value or some agency contracts may request a jitsuin + seal certificate.
• Buying a car or property, certain official/notarized contracts: A jitsuin (registered seal) plus an inkan shomeisho (seal certificate) is genuinely required.
• Day-to-day (receiving packages, signing for delivery, workplace forms): A mitomein, or often just a signature.

If you're a student or short-term resident, you may get through your whole stay with one mitomein — or none.

Ordering a seal with a non-Japanese name

You do not need a kanji name to get a hanko. When you order, you can choose how your name is rendered:

• Katakana — your name spelled phonetically (common and widely accepted).
• Romaji — Latin letters (some offices and banks accept this; a few traditional ones prefer Japanese script — check first).
• Kanji — if you have assigned kanji (e.g., on your residence card) or chosen characters.

Practical notes:

• For a jitsuin, the name on the seal generally must match the name registered at your municipality (as shown on your residence record). Confirm the spelling before you carve it.
• Seals come in materials from inexpensive plastic/boxwood to titanium; a basic seal is fine for a mitomein. A jitsuin is usually made slightly larger and more distinctive so it can't be easily copied.
• You can order from a physical seal shop (はんこ屋) or online; turnaround is typically a few days.

Inkan toroku (registering a jitsuin)

If you need a registered seal, you complete inkan toroku (印鑑登録) at your city/ward office — the same office where you registered your address.

Typical flow (confirm details with your municipality, as they vary):

1. Bring the seal you want to register plus your residence card and ID.
2. Fill in the registration form at the counter.
3. Once registered, you can request an inkan shomeisho (印鑑証明書 / seal registration certificate) — the official document that proves a given seal is your registered jitsuin. Contracts that need a jitsuin usually require this certificate attached, and it's often required to be recent (e.g., issued within the last few months).

You can only register one jitsuin per person, and certain seals (mass-produced ready-made ones, seals that are too small/large) may be rejected for registration — another reason a jitsuin is usually custom-made.

Looking after your seals

• Keep your jitsuin and ginko-in separate and secure. Because they can authorize contracts and bank actions, treat them like you'd treat a debit card and PIN.
• Don't register your everyday mitomein as your jitsuin — if you lose the one you stamp on parcels, you don't want it to also be your legally binding seal.
• If a registered seal is lost or stolen, report it and de-register / re-register at your city office promptly.

FAQ

1. Do I need a hanko to live in Japan as a foreigner? Usually not much of one. A single cheap mitomein covers most situations, and many banks and forms now accept a signature. You only strictly need a registered jitsuin for major contracts like buying a car or property.

2. What's the difference between jitsuin, ginko-in, and mitomein? It's about registration, not the stamp: a jitsuin is registered at your city office (legal weight), a ginko-in is registered with your bank, and a mitomein is an unregistered everyday seal.

3. Can I get a hanko with my English (romaji) name? Yes — you can order one in katakana, romaji, or kanji. For a jitsuin, make sure the name matches your registered residence record, and check that your bank/office accepts romaji.

4. Can I open a bank account without a hanko? Often yes. Several banks that are friendly to foreigners offer signature-based accounts. Some traditional banks still ask for a ginko-in, so ask in advance.

5. How do I register a seal (inkan toroku)? Take the seal and your residence card to your city/ward office and complete the registration form. You can then request an inkan shomeisho (seal certificate) when a contract requires it.

Sources

• Digital Agency / Government of Japan — initiatives reducing hanko (seal) requirements in administrative procedures: https://www.digital.go.jp/en/
• Your municipal city/ward office — inkan toroku (seal registration) and inkan shomeisho issuance procedures (search "[your city] 印鑑登録").

Related guides

• First 7 days in Japan — where a seal fits into your initial setup
• Open a Japanese bank account as a foreigner — signature vs. ginko-in accounts
• Residence card guide — the ID you'll bring to register a seal
• Rent an apartment with no guarantor — when a lease asks for a seal

Last updated: 2026-06-20