This tiny cylinder of authority controls your fate now.
Remember in the movie Spirited Away -that's 千と千尋の神隠し, for you Japanese readers out there- when the witch of the bathhouse made a magical slug come out of that stone thing? That was a Hanko (the stone thing... not the slug).
A Hanko is a personalized stamp that's used in Japan as a signatures for individuals and companies. They're usually made of stone or plastic. You'll most often use Hanko to authorize official documents and agreements. Think of it like a classic signature, except a Hanko is infinitely cooler and equally outdated!
If you're starting a company in Japan, you're going to need both a personal and company Hanko. Why? Because it’s the closest thing to a magic wand for official paperwork, and also because having one for your company is literally the law.
But don’t worry, getting a Hanko isn’t as hard as it seems! Here’s how to do it, step by simple step.
1. Choose the Right Type of Hanko
Pick your fighter. Choose well: the bureaucracy doesn’t pull punches.
Hanko stamps come in many flavors (all equally delicious of course... OH GOD, SOMEBODY STOP US FROM EATING ANY MORE OF THESE THINGS).
For company registration, you’ll need a Kaisha-in (会社印). This is your official company seal, and it’ll be registered with the local Legal Affairs Bureau (Homukyoku).
Fun fact: Unlike personal Hanko, which can be any design, company Hanko usually have stricter guidelines:
- Be round (the shape is traditional and preferred for businesses).
- Fall within a specific size range, commonly 18-21 mm in diameter.
- Include the official registered name of your company, which is most commonly written in Japanese characters (kanji or katakana).
2. Decide Where to Buy It
Some say the old man of the Hanko shop only appears for those who are worthy. Others say he's just a myth. All we'll say is... BELIEVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.
Hanko shops are everywhere (that's right, we really do mean everywhere... look inside your body, there's a tiny one in your spleen right now!). From small family-owned stores to online services, you've got options:
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Traditional Hanko Shops: These are great for expert advice and customization. This is where you go if you want your hanko to look really good, and for people to be impressed when you tell them where you got it.
Bonus: the shopkeeper might be a wise old person that throws in free life advice.
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Online Retailers: Fast, cheap, and convenient --websites like Hanko-ya or even Rakuten let you order and customize Hanko from the comfort of your couch. To be honest, this is what we used for our business, and it ended up being really cheap and easy!
- Stationery Stores: Chains like Ito-Yokado or Tokyu Hands sell pre-made stamps, but these are more for personal use, not company registration.
Pro tip: Expect to pay around ¥5,000-¥20,000 for a decent-quality Kaisha-in. Want a dirt cheap one that was 3D printed? That'll be around ¥1,500-¥3,000.
3. Get It Registered
"Your Hanko has been rejected, and we've also decided to deport you while we're at it. The reason? Your Hanko was square."
This is the final boss. Once you’ve got your shiny new Hanko, it’s time to take it to the Legal Affairs Bureau (Homukyoku) to officially register it along with your company’s Articles of Incorporation (teikan).
Don’t forget to bring your ID and other paperwork --Japan loves its paperwork like a Scooby Doo loves marijuana-laced dogfood. What paperwork is that, you ask? You can find out all about it in our post about TOSBEC.
Pro tip: If the Bureau staff find even one typo or inconsistency, you're going to have to fix it and come back.
Final Thoughts: Your New Best Friend
For many people, their Hanko’s first day at work involves more paperwork than it’ll ever see again.
Now that you’ve got your company Hanko, keep it somewhere safe --it’s not just a stamp; it’s legal proof of your company’s existence! If it goes missing, you company will suddenly cease to exist, and it's absence will leave a reality-bending void in the fabric of the universe. Also, if someone steals your Hanko they can pretend to be you and run your company even better than you ever could! Either way, it's a sickening thought.
Jokes aside: if you lose your Hanko, you’ll need to re-register a new one, which is a headache...
Speaking of nightmares, if storing your new company's inventory feels like one, we can help! Mix-Mix Mail offers beginner-friendly, straightforward fulfillment services in Tokyo and Los Angeles. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on stamping your way to success. Contact us any time, we're always happy to help :D