Hanko Vending Machine

Japan is famous for their vending machines and one of them being a hanko (personal seal) machine. Usually located within Donquijote, you won’t miss this bright red machine with a huge sign that says hanko in hiragana. This signature stamp is used for signing documents at work, personal documents for your local ward office, or even your bank. JFYI, you do not need a hanko for most Japanese banks now. However, you might need one for your job depending on how old your Japanese company is. Although it can be used officially, you can also make a hanko for fun and choose small icons like flowers, fruits, etc.

It costs only 500 yen (5 dollars) and at the most it will cost you 2,500 yen which is for their highest quality hanko (biggest size, material, etc). The best part is that after you decided on your hanko design, it takes only 10 minutes for it to finish making your hanko. I went to the vending machine in Akihabara Donquijote.

1. 種類 Type

You need to first select the type of hanko. Will you use just your last name, full name, given name, and whether your name will be top down or left right.

2. 名前 Name

You need to type in your name either in Japanese or English. In this case I decided to make mines in Katakana.

3. 書体 Style

Next you need to select what type of font you would like your name to be in.

4. 配置 Layout

In the layout section, you can make your name slightly thicker or thinner and move around your letters.

5. 添削 Double Check

Probably the most important step in this process and it is to double check your work! Although it is fairly cheap to make, you don’t want to mess up and waste time and money.

6. 代金 Payment

The machine will ask you to pay before you get your hanko.