Hanko are little name stamps used in Japan in place of a signature when receiving a parcel, authorising a document or filling in just about any kind of form. Being official identity markers, most hanko stamps are pretty boring – just your last name written in kanji.
These new Hanko-san (Mr. Hanko) stamps are designed to be used together with your existing hanko, allowing you to turn your seal into a little message that will bring a bit of spark to the drudgery of your working day. And they’re coming soon to a gashapon machine near you!
To use it, of course, you’ll first need your regular hanko to fill in Mr. Hanko’s face space.
▼ A hanko stamp. I used to carry mine around in my wallet until one day a co-worker noticed that I did that and everybody laughed at me. Apparently that’s weird and you should get a little designated case for it like everyone else.
Now for the fun part! Mr. Hanko comes in five designs, allowing you to communicate all kinds of messages to co-workers and friends without revealing your embarrassingly bad handwriting.
▼ “You got a phone call!”
▼ “Urgent!”
▼ “Sorry!”
Note the beads of sweat coming off the prostrated apologising man. Just like the bowing emoji, but in analogue form!
▼ Group Project
Each person gets their own Mr. Hanko!
▼ So Tired of Working I Wish I Could Just Turn Into a Cat.
In fact, it’s amazing Japan doesn’t have a word for that already.
Mr Hanko, or to give him his full name Stamp on Stamp Hanko-san, is produced by Otanjoubikai and are in gashapon toy vending machines now for 200 yen (US$1.70) each.
Japanese cat hanko stamps let you sign your name with extra flair and fur
Add a little sweetness to your signature stamp with a Sanrio Cinnamoroll hanko
The Jujutsu Kaisen hanko collection is here to stamp away your curses…and paperwork
New Pokémon PON name stamp collection lets you stamp your name on anything
New capsule toys reinvent Japan’s hanko personal seal stamp whether you like it or not
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
This overlooked neighborhood east of Tokyo is awesome in many ways, left us with just one regret
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Natural sounds: Stunning Kyoto-made speakers are made from 30-year-old Japanese cedar
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
What’s up with the secret basement at this Japanese train station?
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Hidden in plain sight, low-key sweets shop surviving in Tokyo’s street market is a tasty treasure
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Adorable kitty stamps for your purr-sonal seal (of approval!)
Studio Ghibli hanko personal seal stands are here to enliven your mundane daily tasks
Make an impression on paper and your peers with a katana-hilt name stamp
Get your name, genetic information engraved on a Japanese name stamp that’s uniquely you
Mark your territory with these mega cute Japanese name stamps, starring 15 playful dog breeds
Spruce up your office with Pikachu date stamps in various sizes and styles