Inkan/hanko shop recommendations

June 20, 2011 12:17 AM

I'm looking to purchase a new inkan -- where do you recommend I do so?

After putting up with the same cheap mitomein with my first name in katakana for the past five years, I'm ready to purchase a nicer set. Although I don't necessarily need a jitsuin right now, I'm open to doing so (albeit fitting my entire name in Roman characters will require a large inkan).

I don't have a particular budget, but I would prefer not to spend more than 10,000 yen for a set of three inkan (mitomein, ginkouin, and jitsuin) or 5,000 for a set of two (mitomein and ginkouin).

Does anyone have any recommendations for online or actual shops (preferably in central Tokyo)? I've found e-hankoya.com, inkan-honpo.com and others, but has anyone with a non-Japanese name had any experience getting an inkan made with them?

posted by armage to Law & Government (1 answer total)

I had a set made. Don't do it online. I had mine made in a Korean enclave of Osaka. I asked the guy if he had ever made inkan with a name as long as mine. He showed me some samples and they seemed alright so I had them made up. It was around 10,000 yen. Go to the nearest ward office of your local foreigner enclave and find the hanko shop nearest to the ward office. Can't go wrong.

Oh, yeah. If you have the cash have a backup made of your main hanko that you use to register your bank account. Can save you some hassle later.
posted by Infernarl at 6:23 AM on June 20, 2011