In a broad sense, hanko included all the educational institutions established by each domain, such as medical schools, Yogakko (schools for Western studies), imperial schools (national schools), Gogakko (schools of province) and girls' schools.
広義には医学校・洋学校・皇学校（国学校）・郷学校・女学校など、藩が設立したあらゆる教育機関をふくむ。