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Stationery Times

Japan Stationery Award 2026 Winners and US Stock

By · Updated · 6 min read

Compiled from 8 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

Maruman's Spiral Note Basic, a kraft-covered ring notebook, won the grand prix of the 35th Japan Stationery Award, announced by RX Japan on June 24, 2026 at the ISOT fair in Tokyo. It was picked from 12 winners in four categories (function, design, sustainable and trend), including Sakura's Ballsign iD Single and a KOKUYO eraser.

On this page10 sections
Japan Stationery Award 2026 winners in a row: Maruman Spiral Note Basic in B5 and A5, the Ballsign iD Single, the Book Tilt bookend and the KOKUYO eraser
The two notebooks are drawn to scale at 1 mm = 0.75 px from Maruman's sizes; the pen, bookend and eraser are drawn in proportion.

Products compared

  1. Maruman Spiral Note Basic 150-sheet notebooks drawn to scale: a B5 in Light Grey, 254 mm tall, and an A5 in Black, with copper-colored coilsNo. 1Maruman Spiral Note Basic$$Read the guide →
  2. Sakura Ballsign iD Single gel pen drawn to scale at 145 mm, with a metal clip, dark grained barrel and stepped metal tipNo. 2Sakura Ballsign iD Single gel pen$Read the guide →
  3. CARL Refill Maker 3.5 punch in black drawn to scale, 132 mm wide, beside a homemade Micro 5 refill with five 3.5 mm holesNo. 3CARL Refill Maker 3.5 planner punch$$$Read the guide →
  4. PLUS Fit Cut Curve Bannō Titanium scissors in black drawn to scale at 187 mm, with a 46 mm serrated, titanium-coated bladeNo. 4PLUS Fit Cut Curve Bannō Titanium scissors$$Read the guide →
  5. LIHIT LAB Mutual folding clipboard in Slate Blue drawn to scale, open at 339 mm tall with an A4 sheet, and folded to A5 sizeNo. 5LIHIT LAB Mutual folding clipboard$$Read the guide →
  6. CARL Book Tilt steel bookend in gray drawn to scale, 155 mm tall, holding four books that lean back on its sloped base, with its 120 mm frontNo. 6CARL Book Tilt bookend$$Read the guide →
  7. KOKUYO Campus parallelogram M and rectangle M erasers in sky-blue sleeves drawn to scale at 54 mm, with an inset of the 66° parallelogram endNo. 7KOKUYO Campus eraser that erases well but doesn't break easily$Read the guide →
  8. White Sonic Digitox The Routine phone lock box drawn to scale at 190 mm wide, LCD showing a padlock, with an inset of Routine lock from 23:00 to 7:00No. 8Sonic Digitox The Routine phone time-lock case$$$Read the guide →
ProductBrand originMade inPrice range
Maruman Spiral Note BasicMarumanJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Sakura Ballsign iD Single gel penSakuraJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per item
CARL Refill Maker 3.5 planner punchCARLJapanJapan*Price range: $$$$20–75 per item
PLUS Fit Cut Curve Bannō Titanium scissorsPLUSJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
LIHIT LAB Mutual folding clipboardLIHIT LABJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
CARL Book Tilt bookendCARLJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
KOKUYO Campus eraser that erases well but doesn't break easilyKOKUYOJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per item
Sonic Digitox The Routine phone time-lock caseSonicJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$$20–75 per item
Notes on these facts
  • Maruman Spiral Note Basic: Made by Maruman Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: Maruman Japan's product pages list 生産国：日本 (country of production: Japan) for the 150-sheet B5 and A5 in Black, Light Grey and kraft, and the Amazon US listings say made in Japan. Maruman's award notice names its Sagamihara and Miyazaki factories. Source. Released: Maruman launched the 150-sheet A5 and B5 (kraft) on November 22, 2024, for the line's 10th anniversary; it doesn't date the later Black and Light Grey covers. The Spiral Note Basic line itself dates from 2014.
  • Sakura Ballsign iD Single gel pen: Made by Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America. Country of manufacture not stated: Sakura Japan's product page and its two 2026 press releases give size, weight, materials and JAN but no country of manufacture. Released: Bic Camera lists the maker's release as late October 2025; Sakura's own pages we read don't date the launch.
  • CARL Refill Maker 3.5 planner punch: Made by CARL Office Machines Co., Ltd. (カール事務器株式会社), Japan. Made in Japan: CARL Japan's product page lists 信頼の日本製商品 (a trusted made-in-Japan product) among the Refill Maker 3.5's features. Source. Released: CARL's September 12, 2025 press release launched the Refill Maker 3.5 as RM-6535 from late September 2025. CARL's current page, which carries the 2026 award badge, lists it as RM-6535N with the same specifications.
  • PLUS Fit Cut Curve Bannō Titanium scissors: Made by PLUS Corporation (プラス株式会社). Country of manufacture not stated: PLUS Japan's product page, item list and May 19, 2026 press release give sizes, materials, codes and price but no country of manufacture. PLUS's own shop lists China for a different model, the Premium Titanium (SC-175STN); we don't assume the same here.
  • LIHIT LAB Mutual folding clipboard: Made by LIHIT LAB, Inc.. Country of manufacture not stated: LIHIT LAB's catalog page, its online store and its October 2025 release give sizes, materials and price but no country of manufacture, and the Amazon US listing we read doesn't state one. Released: LIHIT LAB announced the Mutual series' third lineup, including this clipboard, on October 2, 2025; it doesn't give an exact on-sale date.
  • CARL Book Tilt bookend: Made by CARL Office Machines Co., Ltd. (カール事務器株式会社), Japan. Country of manufacture not stated: CARL Japan's product page and October 17, 2025 press release give size, weight, codes and price but no country of manufacture. Released: CARL's October 17, 2025 press release launched the Book Tilt from mid-October 2025.
  • KOKUYO Campus eraser that erases well but doesn't break easily: Made by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.. Country of manufacture not stated: KOKUYO's Japanese spec pages, RX Japan's winners page and DIME don't state a country of manufacture. Released: DIME (2026) says the eraser went on sale in September 2025.
  • Sonic Digitox The Routine phone time-lock case: Made by Sonic Corporation (株式会社ソニック). Country of manufacture not stated: Sonic's product page, its leaflet, RX Japan's winners page, Hands and DIME don't state a country of manufacture. Released: Sonic's press release of January 9, 2026 says the Digitox line goes on sale from February 2026.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

  • The 35th Japan Stationery Award named 12 winners (優秀賞), 3 in each of 4 categories, on June 9, 2026, and the grand prix on June 24, 2026.
  • The grand prix Spiral Note Basic starts at ¥176 (about US$1.10) for a memo pad on Maruman's brand site; DIME lists the winning 150-sheet notebook at ¥715 (about US$4.50) in A5.
  • The winners were shown for 3 days at ISOT, held June 24–26, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight; the categories were function, design, sustainable and trend.
  • The priciest winner is CARL's Refill Maker 3.5 punch at ¥6,050 (about US$38), per DIME; the cheapest is a KOKUYO Campus eraser from ¥99 (about US$0.60).
  • By October 23, 2026 Amazon.com listed the grand prix Spiral Note Basic (A5 Black sold by Maruman US) and the LIHIT LAB Mutual clipboard; most other winners still need Japanese retailers or proxy services.

What won the Japan Stationery Award 2026?

Maruman’s Spiral Note Basic won the grand prix (グランプリ) of the 35th Japan Stationery Award, announced by RX Japan on June 24, 2026 at the ISOT fair in Tokyo. It came from the design category, and it ranks first because RX Japan’s judges chose it over the other 11 winners for its paper, ring binding and perforations. RX Japan had named 12 winners (優秀賞), three in each of four categories, on June 9.

RX Japan calls the Japan Stationery Award (日本文具大賞) the industry’s biggest award. In 2026 it judged four categories: function, design, sustainable and trend.

How did we choose what to cover?

We didn’t pick these winners; RX Japan’s judges did, and we compiled the results from RX Japan, DIME and the makers without testing the products. We list all 12 winners with DIME’s and Maruman’s Japanese prices and US availability checked on October 23, 2026; our facts box holds the grand prix and seven category winners with published maker specs.

Why did the Spiral Note Basic win?

RX Japan praised its smooth original writing paper, easy-turning ring binding and clean micro-perforations, and DIME says the judges rewarded a basic notebook done well. RX Japan’s own description also mentions calm cover colors with foil-stamped designs.

DIME names the winning version as the 150-sheet lined notebook, at ¥715 (about US$4.50) for A5 and ¥825 (about US$5.20) for B5 as of August 31, 2026. Maruman’s brand site lists the same 150-sheet notebooks at ¥605 (about US$3.80) and ¥715 (about US$4.50), and the 40-sheet B5 at ¥363 (about US$2.30), so check current prices.

Spiral Note Basic Size (Maruman) Sheets Japan price (Maruman site)
150-sheet B5, 6.5 mm ruled 193 × 254 × 22 mm (7.6 × 10 × 0.9 in) 150 ¥715 (about US$4.50)
150-sheet A5, 6.5 mm ruled 162 × 212 × 22 mm (6.4 × 8.3 × 0.9 in) 150 ¥605 (about US$3.80)
B5 notebook B5 40 or 80 ¥330 (about US$2.10) to ¥495 (about US$3.10)
A6 to A7 memo A6, A7 50 or 80 ¥176 (about US$1.10) to ¥363 (about US$2.30)

Sizes include the rings. Maruman says it made Japan’s first ring notebook, and its Spiral Note brand dates from 1960. For Maruman’s premium line, see our Mnemosyne A5 guide.

What were the 12 category winners?

Three products won in each category; prices are from DIME as of August 31, 2026.

Category Winner Maker Japan price
Function Refill Maker 3.5 planner punch CARL ¥6,050 (about US$38)
Function Fit Cut Curve Bannō Titanium scissors PLUS ¥2,530 (about US$16)
Function Mutual folding clipboard LIHIT LAB ¥1,430 (about US$9.10)
Design Book Tilt bookend CARL ¥880 (about US$5.60)
Design Ballsign iD Single gel pen Sakura ¥440 (about US$2.80)
Design Spiral Note Basic (grand prix) Maruman See above
Sustainable Color-changing memo pad 国府印刷社 (MEKURU) ¥440 (about US$2.80)
Sustainable Campus eraser that erases well but doesn’t break KOKUYO ¥99 (about US$0.60) to ¥550 (about US$3.50)
Sustainable Dustless Sea Shell Chalk Nihon Rikagaku ¥220 (about US$1.40) to ¥550 (about US$3.50)
Trend Stickyle Tsumamuno scissors-tweezers Sun-Star ¥935 (about US$5.90)
Trend Digitox The Routine phone time-lock case Sonic ¥4,950 (about US$31)
Trend funlog life-log planner and accessories Mark’s Memo pad ¥440 (about US$2.80)

What do the pen and paper winners do?

The Ballsign iD Single offers six shades of black ink, and the Refill Maker 3.5 punches your own paper for mini 6-hole and micro 5-hole planners. Sakura’s entry names the blacks Pure, Night, Forest, Mocha, Mysterious and Pencil Black, in 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mm.

Why they’re here: CARL says the punch’s 3.5 mm holes suit small planners, and DIME lists it as the priciest winner. The funlog planner is an undated A6 half-year book with a monthly habit tracker, per RX Japan.

What won the function and sustainable categories?

PLUS’s new Fit Cut Curve scissors add a titanium coat so they can be washed, and KOKUYO’s eraser balances clean erasing against breaking. PLUS says the scissors cut paper and metal, building on the 2016 all-purpose model. The LIHIT LAB Mutual clipboard and CARL Book Tilt are in our facts box for their function and design wins, and the Digitox Routine because it also won a Bungu-ya-san Taishō award.

KOKUYO sells the eraser in parallelogram and rectangular shapes, two sizes each, per DIME. Nihon Rikagaku’s chalk uses waste Hokkaido scallop shells, and RX Japan’s page calls it made in Japan.

Can you buy these winners in the US?

Some are: on October 23, 2026 Amazon.com listed the grand prix Spiral Note Basic (the A5 Black sold by Maruman US) and the LIHIT LAB Mutual clipboard from third-party sellers. We found no US listing for the Ballsign iD Single, the Refill Maker 3.5 (Amazon.com shows only its spare bottom cover), the Fit Cut Curve Bannō Titanium or the Book Tilt; JetPens lists older Ballsign iD gel pens but not the Single.

The Digitox Routine also won a Bungu-ya-san Taishō category award; see Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026 winners and every 2026 stationery award winner. ISOT itself is trade only; see top stationery events of 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Japan Stationery Award?

The Japan Stationery Award (日本文具大賞) is an industry award run by RX Japan at ISOT, the Tokyo stationery trade fair. Judges pick category winners from products exhibited at the fair, then one grand prix.

What notebook won the Japan Stationery Award 2026?

Maruman's Spiral Note Basic, a ring notebook with a plain kraft cover, micro-perforated pages and Maruman's own writing paper. DIME names the winning version as the 150-sheet lined notebook in A5 and B5.

Can you buy Japan Stationery Award 2026 winners in the US?

Some of them. On October 23, 2026 Amazon.com listed the Spiral Note Basic (the A5 Black sold by Maruman US) and the LIHIT LAB Mutual clipboard from third-party sellers. We found no US listing for the Ballsign iD Single; JetPens sells older Ballsign iD pens. For the rest, Japanese retailers and proxy services are the realistic route.

Who won the design category at the Japan Stationery Award 2026?

CARL's Book Tilt bookend, Sakura's Ballsign iD Single gel pen and Maruman's Spiral Note Basic, which then took the grand prix.

When is the Japan Stationery Award 2027?

The award is presented at the summer ISOT fair. RX Japan's ISOT site lists the 2027 summer fair for June 9–11, 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight, but it hadn't announced 2027 award dates when we checked on October 22, 2026.

Is the Japan Stationery Award the same as the Bungu-ya-san Taishō?

No. The Japan Stationery Award is judged at the ISOT trade fair in June; the Bungu-ya-san Taishō is voted by shop staff and announced by Fusosha in February.

Sources (8)

  1. RX Japan, ISOT: 2026年 受賞製品一覧 (official winners list; read October 22, 2026)
  2. RX Japan via PR TIMES: 第35回 日本文具大賞 2026 優秀賞が決定 (June 9, 2026)
  3. Maruman (Japanese): spiral note brand site (grand prix notice of June 30, 2026; lineup and prices)
  4. Maruman via @Press: 1.5cmの分厚い「スパイラルノート ベーシック」新発売 (November 19, 2024)
  5. @DIME: 「日本文具大賞」のグランプリに選ばれた商品 (all winners with prices as of August 31, 2026)
  6. Koubo: 日本文具大賞2026 優秀賞が決定 (June 9, 2026)
  7. Bic Camera: Sakura Ballsign iD Single (¥440, released late October 2025)
  8. JetPens: Sakura Ballsign iD Gel Pens

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