CAP DI JEPANG

Mitomein

This a type of hanko for everyday use. The sort used to receive parcels and post. An almost casual hanko if you like. Usually Japanese would are able to buy one of these pre-made off the shelf. These are the hanko you see outside hanko shops in the glass cabinets. 100 yen shops even sell them! Very often these the engraved surface is made from a self inking rubber like substance so it doesn't require a stamp pad each time you want to use it.
Of course to render a foreign name (see below) you'll have to have one specailly made. Expect to pay a few thousand yen

Ginkoin

This is a much more serious hanko as it controls your dealings with your bank. (As stated earlier it is possible to open a bank account without a hanko, but a hanko can make life easier a few years down the line when your signature doesn't look exactly as it did when you opened the account.) Although there are no restrictions on the design or even the name represented on the ginkoin they do have to made from a hard material so the self inking rubber hankos are unsuitable. The most common material for making a ginkoin is from bamboo. Once made the bank will take an impression of the hanko which will take the place of your signature in all dealings with the bank.
Theorectically it is possible to use any name, or character, you choose on a ginkoin but do you really want to be known as that foreigner who uses a Suziki-san inkan everytime you visit the bank?

 

Jitsuin

A jitsuin is the most important hanko and is used in property transactions and car purchases. Many Japanese keep their jitsuin under lock and key and fair few of them stow them in safety deposit boxes, such is the importance of the particular seal. The rules for a jitsuin are much stricter with regards to sizing, imprint and diameter. A good hanko shop will be able to advise. Jitsuin are where the choices really come into play, from the choice of material, the design of your name, the style of the case to whether you want it machine cut or carved by hand the choices are yours. Again a hanko retailer,hanko-ya, should be able to advise.
Usually they take upto a week to make and you'll be asked to test run the hanko at the shop to make sure you're happy with the imprint. Use this chance to learn from the experts the correct way of making a crisp, clear imprint!
Next step is to convert this still ordinary hanko into a jitsuin. This is done at your city office. Simple present the hanko to the registration counter, and for a small fee they'll make a impression of the hanko and isue you with a name stamp registration card that can then be used to request copies of the registration certificate in the future.