There are many ways to get a hanko. Usually, you have to visit a store where a craftsman works. You could also get a mass produced one if you have a common surname, but that is not good enough if you plan to use it for formal use. Having a handcrafted hanko made takes time and costs a lot of money. But if you have the cash and want something special, then this is the best option.

A hanko (判子) is a seal that is used more or less like a signature in the west. Each hanko is unique and might be used in all sort of different situations. Since the Japanese society is very bureaucratic, they love to put their personal seal everywhere. It is a bit more inconvenient than using your signature, but it’s easy enough to use. It can be used in a wide range of areas; start a company, sign a lease, verify a document, validate bank related documents, verify that a delivery was received, etc.