The Ultimate Guide to Buying Japanese Stationery

Japanese stationery has become very popular in the last couple of years. By now, you've probably heard of the cult-favorite brands like Kokuyo and Midori, but there are many more great options to choose from. Here's everything you need to know about buying Japanese stationery.

Do you have friends who are into this? Do you want to get into it yourself? This article is for you! With this guide, you'll be able to find the perfect notebook, planner, pen case, or other items with ease. Read on for all your Japanese stationery needs!

What is Japanese stationery?

Japanese stationery is anything you might find in a Japanese stationery store. That includes notebooks, planners, and any other paper-based stationery with a Japanese twist. This usually includes traditional designs and kawaii (cute) anime characters.

It's become really popular not just in Japan but around the world. These items are easy to find online, so you don't have to travel very far to get your hands on them! What can be a challenge is finding these items from a USA-based seller that has reasonable shipping fees and excellent reviews. 

Which brands are the best?

There are plenty of pens to choose from when shopping for Japanese stationery, and it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one.

Luckily, there are a few brands that do not disappoint. Kokuyo and Tsubame make great products and have a wide range of options. These two brands offer everything from pens, planners, notebooks, and bags.

Kokuyo is best known for its high-quality pencils and erasers. They also offer notebooks with beautifully designed cover art and delightful paper.

Tsubame is well-known for its precision pens and its traditional Japanese style. You'll find pen cases and refillable ink cartridges here too!

Some other popular Japanese brands include Midori, Sanrio, Maruman, and Stalogy.

How much should I spend on a notebook?

What's the point of a high-quality notebook if you're going to write in it a few times and then never use it again? The principle of "you get what you pay for" definitely applies. You'll need to spend a little more on a good notebook that will last - but it's worth it!

The cost of your notebook will depend on several factors, including the number of pages and the type of paper. For example, a Kokuyo Soft Cover B5 Notebook would cost around $10, while a Tsubame A4 Wirebound Notebook with 280 pages would be about $30.

If you're not sure where to start, something like a Kokuyo Soft Cover B5 Notebook is a great option - but don't forget to check out all your other options as well!

What's the difference between notebooks and planners?

The biggest difference between notebooks and planners is that planners typically include a year's worth of pages, while notebooks are less structured. 

If you're looking for something with an organizational calendar to keep your schedule up-to-date, then a planner would be the best option. On the other hand, if you're looking for one notebook for this month's notes, journals, to-do lists, and more, then a notebook would be the better choice.

How do I store my stationery?

One of the biggest questions customers have about Japanese stationery is how they should store it. Whether you're just getting into the hobby or are looking for a new way to store your current collection, there are some great options out there.

The first place you can look is your home. There are plenty of places where you could store your stationery. For example, on a bookshelf, in a drawer, or even on a kitchen countertop if you don't have many people living with you.

However, some customers might not want to use these options as storage space for their goods. Fortunately, there are plenty of other options out there that are perfect for this purpose! One idea is to invest in a filing cabinet that's designated for your stationery items. You can then keep all of your products in one place so they're easy to find when you need them!

Storing pens and being able to take them on-the-go is a serious thing to consider. You want to protect your pens and make sure they don't get damaging in transit. Pen and pencil cases are a great option that allow you to use your pens at home and quickly transport then while you're on-the-go. 

Which pens do I need?

In the world of Japanese stationery, there are a lot of pens to choose from. Which do you need?

Typically, you'll want to have one pen for every day use and special pens for drawing. Highlighters can also be very useful. So many people often carry a dual-tip pen as their go-to for everyday writing. You can also use a gel pen or fine tip pen for everyday writing.

For drawing, most people use brushes and ink pens. Brushes are great because they give your drawings an organic and natural look and feel. However, it's important to know that carrying around a brush is more cumbersome than carrying around a regular pen or pencil. You'll need to make sure you pack them away carefully when you're on the go!

What kind of paper do I need?

You'll also want to think about what type of paper you'll be using most often with your pens. Most Japanese notebooks come with either lined paper or blank paper, but if you're looking for something more specific like graph paper or dot grid, then it's best to buy those separately!

Conclusion

When it comes to stationery, the Japanese know what they're doing. From notebooks and planners to letter sets and pens, this is a list of the best Japanese stationery brands and where to buy them.