--- title: "Japanese Stationery: Best Brands, What to Buy & Where in the US" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/japanese-stationery-guide/" description: "A guide to Japanese stationery: the best brands for pens, notebooks, planners and washi tape, a 10-piece starter kit, the awards, and where to buy it in the US." category: "Accessories" published: 2026-10-26 updated: 2026-10-26 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 13 products: - name: "Zebra Sarasa Clip Retractable Gel Pen (0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm; JJ15)" brand: "Zebra" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel (76% recycled plastic by Eco Mark calculation in standard colors), rubber grip, movable binder clip" released: "2003" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation" model: "JJH15 (0.3), JJS15 (0.4), JJ15 (0.5), JJB15 (0.7), JJE15 (1.0)" mpn: "JJ15-BK" gtin: "4901681143115" url: "https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/sarasa-clip/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-sarasa-clip/" - name: "uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 mm + 0.5 mm pencil; MSXE5-1000)" brand: "uni-ball" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plated brass front barrel, coated ABS resin rear barrel, rubber grip, steel clip (per Wafuu and bungu.store)" released: "2008-11" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "MSXE5-1000" mpn: "MSXE5-1000-05" gtin: "4902778120699" url: "https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/ballpoint_pens/jetstream/jetstream2/4_1/msxe5_1000.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-jetstream-4-and-1/" - name: "Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen (02 EF / 03 F / 05 M)" brand: "Platinum" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Polycarbonate (PC resin) body, stainless steel nib (ST-27), per Platinum Japan" released: "2007" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Platinum Pen Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "PSQ-300 (03 and 05); PSQ-400 (02)" url: "https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/products/fountain-pen/2209/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/platinum-preppy/" - name: "Uni Kuru Toga Standard mechanical pencil (M5-450, 0.5 mm)" brand: "uni" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "PC resin (plastic) body, per The Journal Shop" released: "2008-03" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "M5-450 (0.5 mm); M3-450 (0.3 mm)" mpn: "M54501P.24" gtin: "4902778028179" url: "https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/mechanical_pencils/sharp_pen/kurutoga/standard.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-kuru-toga/" - name: "Zebra Mildliner double-ended highlighter (WKT7; US packs sold as Mildliner Double-Ended Creative Highlighter)" brand: "Zebra" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan or Mexico (varies by pack)" material: "Plastic barrel, felt chisel and bullet tips, water-based pigment ink" released: "2009" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation" model: "WKT7" mpn: "78101" gtin: "4901681401734" url: "https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/mildliner/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-mildliner/" - name: "Tombow MONO eraser, PE-04A" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic (vinyl) eraser, phthalate-free; paper sleeve with at least 50% recycled pulp (Tombow)" released: "1969" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "PE-04A" mpn: "PE-04A" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/mono/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-mono-eraser/" - name: "mt masking tape (washi tape), mt basic 1P, 15 mm single roll" brand: "mt" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Washi (Japanese paper) masking tape" released: "2008" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. (Kurashiki, Okayama)" model: "MT01P206R (mt basic 1P, silver, 15 mm × 7 m)" gtin: "4971910271001" url: "https://www.masking-tape.jp/about/brand/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/mt-washi-tape/" - name: "Hobonichi Techo Original Book, A6, 2027 (English or Japanese; January or April start)" brand: "Hobonichi" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Tomoe River paper (Tomoe River S since the 2024 edition), thread-sewn binding" released: "2001-10-05" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Hobonichi Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" url: "https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/2027/pc/detail_cover/ob27_jan_en/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-techo-original/" - name: "Midori MD Notebook A5, 176 pages (blank, lined, grid, dot grid or frame)" brand: "Midori" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Cream MD Paper, 80 g/m² (text, cover and endpapers); glassine jacket" released: "2008" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Designphil Inc. (Tokyo); the MD line is now sold as MD PRODUCT" model: "15385006 (A5, lined)" mpn: "15385006" url: "https://md-product.com/products/md-notebook-a5" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-md-notebook-a5/" - name: "KOKUYO Campus Notebook, Semi-B5, 30 sheets (NO-3BN 6 mm rule; NO-3BTN 6 mm dotted; NO-3ATN 7 mm dotted)" brand: "KOKUYO" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Woodfree forest-certified paper (上質紙, 森林認証紙), laminated spine cloth" released: "1975" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd." model: "NO-3BN" gtin: "4901480070216" url: "https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/category/notebook-paper/notebook/11031/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-campus-notebook/" --- # Japanese Stationery: Best Brands, What to Buy & Where in the US > Japanese stationery stands out for fine-tip pens, thin paper and planners such as the Hobonichi Techo. The best-known brands are Pilot, uni, Zebra, Pentel and Tombow for pens; KOKUYO, Midori and Maruman for notebooks; Hobonichi and Jibun Techo for planners; and mt for washi tape. In the US, Kinokuniya, Yoseka and the makers' own stores sell it. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/japanese-stationery-guide/ - Category: Accessories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-26 - Updated: 2026-10-26 ![Ten Japanese stationery starter-kit picks drawn to scale, from a Sarasa Clip pen to a Campus notebook](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/japanese-stationery-guide-16x9.png) *A ten-piece Japanese stationery starter kit, drawn to scale from maker and retailer sizes.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Zebra Sarasa Clip Retractable Gel Pen (0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm; JJ15) | Zebra (by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel (76% recycled plastic by Eco Mark calculation in standard colors), rubber grip, movable binder clip | 2003 | $: under $5 per item | | uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 mm + 0.5 mm pencil; MSXE5-1000) | uni-ball (by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Plated brass front barrel, coated ABS resin rear barrel, rubber grip, steel clip (per Wafuu and bungu.store) | 2008-11 | $$: $5–20 per item | | Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen (02 EF / 03 F / 05 M) | Platinum (by Platinum Pen Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Japan | Polycarbonate (PC resin) body, stainless steel nib (ST-27), per Platinum Japan | 2007 | $$: $5–20 per item | | Uni Kuru Toga Standard mechanical pencil (M5-450, 0.5 mm) | uni (by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | PC resin (plastic) body, per The Journal Shop | 2008-03 | $$: $5–20 per item | | Zebra Mildliner double-ended highlighter (WKT7; US packs sold as Mildliner Double-Ended Creative Highlighter) | Zebra (by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation) | Japan | Japan or Mexico (varies by pack) | Plastic barrel, felt chisel and bullet tips, water-based pigment ink | 2009 | $: under $5 per item | | Tombow MONO eraser, PE-04A | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Plastic (vinyl) eraser, phthalate-free; paper sleeve with at least 50% recycled pulp (Tombow) | 1969 | $: under $5 per item | | mt masking tape (washi tape), mt basic 1P, 15 mm single roll | mt (by Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. (Kurashiki, Okayama)) | Japan | Japan | Washi (Japanese paper) masking tape | 2008 | $: under $5 per item | | Hobonichi Techo Original Book, A6, 2027 (English or Japanese; January or April start) | Hobonichi (by Hobonichi Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Tomoe River paper (Tomoe River S since the 2024 edition), thread-sewn binding | 2001-10-05 | $$$: $20–75 per item | | Midori MD Notebook A5, 176 pages (blank, lined, grid, dot grid or frame) | Midori (by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo); the MD line is now sold as MD PRODUCT) | Japan | Japan | Cream MD Paper, 80 g/m² (text, cover and endpapers); glassine jacket | 2008 | $$: $5–20 per item | | KOKUYO Campus Notebook, Semi-B5, 30 sheets (NO-3BN 6 mm rule; NO-3BTN 6 mm dotted; NO-3ATN 7 mm dotted) | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Woodfree forest-certified paper (上質紙, 森林認証紙), laminated spine cloth | 1975 | $: under $5 per item | - Made in (Zebra Sarasa Clip Retractable Gel Pen (0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm; JJ15)): Japan. Per retailer spec sheets: FairPrice (Singapore) lists Japan for the 0.7 mm pen and the JF-0.5 refills, Carrefour UAE lists Japan for the Sarasa Push Clip, and SM Stationery (Philippines) says made in Japan. Zebra's Japanese and global product pages don't state a country of manufacture. Source: https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/zebra-sarasa-clip-gel-pen-0-7mm-b-jjb15-fb-navy-blue-ink-10-pc-90118544 - Made in (uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 mm + 0.5 mm pencil; MSXE5-1000)): Japan. The Journal Shop lists Japan as the country of origin for the 0.5 mm 4&1. Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product page and press releases don't state it. Source: https://www.thejournalshop.com/en-je/products/mitsubishi-uni-jetstream-4-1-multi-function-pen-0-5mm-0-5mm-mechanical-pencil - Made in (Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen (02 EF / 03 F / 05 M)): Japan. Per retailer listings: Hunter Paper Co says made in Japan and Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin (both read on October 20, 2026). Platinum's Japanese product pages don't state it. Source: https://hunterpaperco.com/products/platinum-preppy-fountain-pen-fine-nib - Made in (Uni Kuru Toga Standard mechanical pencil (M5-450, 0.5 mm)): Japan. Per retailer spec sheets (The Journal Shop: country of origin Japan; Bungu Store: made in Japan). Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product pages don't state it. Source: https://www.thejournalshop.com/products/mitsubishi-kuru-toga-mechanical-pencil-standard-model-0-5mm - Made in (Zebra Mildliner double-ended highlighter (WKT7; US packs sold as Mildliner Double-Ended Creative Highlighter)): Japan or Mexico (varies by pack). Hamster (Canada) lists Japan for the 5-pack MPN 78205, and Japanese-market retailers sell the WKT7 as made in Japan. Nordisco lists Mexico for the US 10-pack, item 78101, and Boston General Store lists a single Mildliner as made in Mexico. Zebra's Japanese product page doesn't state a country of manufacture, so check the pack. Source: https://www.hamster.ca/en/highlighters/mildliner-highlighters-845924 - Made in (Tombow MONO eraser, PE-04A): Japan. Officeworks in Australia lists Japan as the country of manufacture for the PE-04A, and Galaxus gives Japan as the country of origin. But St. Louis Art Supply, a US shop, says its PE-04A is made in Vietnam, so US stock may differ. Tombow's Japanese MONO page (read on October 21, 2026) doesn't state a country; check the packaging. Source: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/tombow-mono-eraser-ja7010499 - Made in (mt masking tape (washi tape), mt basic 1P, 15 mm single roll): Japan. Kamoi Kakoshi's company page describes its head-office factory in Kurashiki and a second factory in Yakage, Okayama, shipping mt from Japan to the world. Maruzen Junkudo's listings for mt basic 1P rolls give 原産国 (country of origin) Japan, and Jenni Bick, Hunter Paper Co. and Tacto Studio say made in Japan. Source: https://www.masking-tape.jp/about/company/ - Made in (Hobonichi Techo Original Book, A6, 2027 (English or Japanese; January or April start)): Not stated. Hobonichi's Japanese store listing for the 2027 English Original gives size, weight, pages and paper but no country of manufacture (it names one only for a free charm, made in China), and we found no retailer spec sheet that states it for the Original Book. Hunter Paper Co. says its Original Avec book is made in Japan by Hobonichi, but that is a different product. Check the back of the book. - Made in (Midori MD Notebook A5, 176 pages (blank, lined, grid, dot grid or frame)): Japan. Midori's Japanese MD PRODUCT store gives 原産国 (country of origin) Made in Japan for the A5, as did the older Midori online store listing for the lined A5 (15294006). The Journal Shop, Galen Leather and Boston General Store agree. Source: https://md-product.com/products/md-notebook-a5 - Made in (KOKUYO Campus Notebook, Semi-B5, 30 sheets (NO-3BN 6 mm rule; NO-3BTN 6 mm dotted; NO-3ATN 7 mm dotted)): Japan. KOKUYO's own global online store gives Country of Origin: Japan for the NO-3BN 3-pack and 10-pack and for the NO-3BTN and NO-3ATN dotted books. KOKUYO's Japanese catalog pages don't list origin; other Campus lines and sizes may differ. Source: https://www.kokuyostore.com/en/campus-notebook-b5-6mm-rule-30-sheets-pack-of-3/NO-3BNX3.html ## Key takeaways - Japan exported 120.4 billion yen (about US$762 million) of writing instruments in 2025, and the US was its biggest market at 28.6 billion yen (about US$181 million), per JWIMA. - Eight of the big makers were founded between 1887 and 1921, from Mitsubishi Pencil (uni) to Sakura; Hobonichi followed in 1979 and mt washi tape in 2008. - On October 26, 2026 Kinokuniya listed 19 US stores in 8 states, plus Mai Do stationery shops in San Francisco and San Jose. - In our October 2026 index of 60 Japanese items, the median US price was 1.4 times the Japanese list price. - Nine of our ten starter-kit picks sit in our under-$20 bands; the Hobonichi Techo is the one in $20–75. ## What makes Japanese stationery worth buying? **Japanese stationery is known for fine-tip pens, thin but ink-friendly paper and clever planners, made by specialist companies that have competed for more than a century.** Eight of the big makers were founded between 1887 and 1921, and our [history of Japan's stationery industry](https://stationerytimes.com/stories/japan-stationery-culture/) traces how each grew from a single product. Several pen types started there. Sakura says its Ball Sign of 1984 was the world's first water-based gel-ink ballpoint, and Pilot's history lists the first capless fountain pen (1963) and the erasable FriXion Ball (2006). Gel pens come in 0.3 mm, and Japanese fountain-pen nibs run about a size finer than Western ones. The scale is large. JWIMA, the pen makers' association, counts 1.55 billion ballpoints made in Japan in 2025 and 120.4 billion yen (about US$762 million) of writing-instrument exports, with the US the biggest market at 28.6 billion yen (about US$181 million). ![Japanese stationery brands by category: eight pen makers, seven notebook and paper brands, four planners and four tape and sticker brands](https://stationerytimes.com/images/japanese-stationery-guide-brands.svg) *The brands this guide covers, grouped by what they're best known for. Not a ranking.* ## Which Japanese stationery brands are best for each category? **Pilot, uni and Zebra lead pens; KOKUYO, Midori and Maruman lead notebooks; Hobonichi leads planners; and mt leads washi tape.** Each brand links to its page, with every guide we've written about it. | Category | Brand | Best known for | |---|---|---| | Pens | [Pilot](../../brands/pilot/) | G2, Hi-Tec-C, FriXion, Metropolitan, Iroshizuku ink | | Pens | [uni (Mitsubishi Pencil)](../../brands/uni-ball/) | Jetstream, Signo, Kuru Toga | | Pens | [Zebra](../../brands/zebra/) | Sarasa gel pens, Mildliner highlighters | | Pens | [Pentel](../../brands/pentel/) | EnerGel, Sign Pen, GraphGear pencils | | Pens | [Sakura](../../brands/sakura/) | Pigma Micron, Gelly Roll | | Pens | [Tombow](../../brands/tombow/) | MONO erasers, Fudenosuke and Dual Brush pens, AirPress | | Fountain pens | [Platinum](../../brands/platinum/) | Preppy, #3776 Century | | Fountain pens | [Sailor](../../brands/sailor/) | Gold-nib fountain pens and inks | | Notebooks | [KOKUYO](../../brands/kokuyo/) | Campus notebooks (since 1975), Jibun Techo | | Notebooks | [Midori](../../brands/midori/) | MD Notebook and MD Paper | | Notebooks | [Maruman](../../brands/maruman/) | Mnemosyne, Croquis sketchbooks, Spiral Note | | Notebooks | [Apica](../../brands/apica/) | Premium C.D. Notebook | | Notebooks | [LIFE](../../brands/life/) | Noble Note | | Notebooks | [Tsubame](../../brands/tsubame/) | Fools notebooks | | Paper | [Tomoe River](../../brands/tomoe-river/) | Very thin 52 gsm fountain-pen paper | | Planners | [Hobonichi](../../brands/hobonichi/) | Hobonichi Techo, one page a day | | Planners | [KOKUYO Jibun Techo](../../brands/kokuyo/) | Weekly pages with a 24-hour timeline | | Planners | [MARK'S EDiT](../../brands/marks/) | One-page-per-day dated planners | | Planners | [TRAVELER'S COMPANY](../../brands/travelers-company/) | TRAVELER'S notebook leather covers | | Tape | [mt](../../brands/mt/) | Washi tape since 2008 | | Tape | [MARK'S masté](../../brands/marks/) | Masking tape, some writable with water-based pens | For pens alone, see our [best Japanese pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-japanese-pens/); for paper, our [best Japanese notebooks](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-japanese-notebooks/); for planners, [Hobonichi vs Jibun Techo](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-techo-vs-jibun-techo/). ## What should be in a Japanese stationery starter kit? **Start with a gel pen, a notebook and an eraser, then add the pieces you'll use.** These ten are well documented, easy to find in the US, and all but the Hobonichi sit in our under-$20 bands. 1. **Zebra Sarasa Clip** ($): the everyday gel pen; Zebra says it has led Japan's gel pen sales for 14 years. 2. **uni Jetstream 4&1** ($$): four quick-drying ballpoint colors and a 0.5 mm pencil in one body. 3. **Platinum Preppy** ($$): the cheapest way to try fountain-pen ink, with a cap that seals the nib. 4. **uni Kuru Toga** ($$): a mechanical pencil that turns the lead as you write, keeping a sharp point. 5. **Zebra Mildliner** ($): double-ended highlighters in soft colors that suit planners. 6. **Tombow MONO eraser** ($): the plastic eraser in the blue, white and black sleeve, sold since 1969. 7. **mt washi tape** ($): 15 mm paper tape that tears by hand and peels off cleanly. 8. **Midori MD Notebook A5** ($$): a thread-sewn notebook of cream MD Paper that lies flat. 9. **KOKUYO Campus notebook** ($): the Japanese school notebook, made since 1975 and cheap enough to fill. 10. **Hobonichi Techo Original** ($$$): the page-a-day A6 planner on thin Tomoe River paper. ## Which Japanese stationery awards are worth following? **Two Japanese awards work as buying guides: the Japan Stationery Award, judged at the ISOT trade fair, and the Bungu-ya-san Taishō, voted by shop staff.** The 35th [Japan Stationery Award](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/japan-stationery-award-2026-winners/) named 12 winners in 2026 and gave its grand prix to Maruman's Spiral Note Basic. The [Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/bungu-ya-san-taisho-2026-winners/), judged by staff from 13 Japanese stationery chains, gave its grand prize to the LACONIC Solid Write mechanical pencil, and its function award to Pilot's FriXion Synergy 3. ## Where can you buy Japanese stationery in the US? **Kinokuniya and Yoseka have the biggest shelves, and the makers' US stores sell the American versions online.** We checked each on October 26, 2026. - **Kinokuniya**: its store page lists 19 US Kinokuniya bookstores in 8 states, from New York to Seattle and Austin, plus Mai Do stationery shops in San Francisco's Japan Center and San Jose's Santana Row. - **Yoseka Stationery**, 63 West Street in Brooklyn, and its online shop: it says it has a tester of almost every gold nib it sells. - **The makers' US stores**: uni, Tombow USA, Zebra Pen and Pentel of America sell online; Tombow USA offered free shipping on orders over $40. - **Online specialists**: Goulet Pens for fountain pens, and JetPens, whose site blocked our check; Amazon sells US office packs. Our [NYC](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-stationery-stores-nyc/) and [Los Angeles](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-stationery-stores-los-angeles/) store guides list more shops, and our [Tokyo guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-stationery-stores-tokyo/) covers Itoya and the rest if you go to the source. Prices are usually higher in the US: our [Japan vs US price index](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/us-vs-japan-stationery-prices/) found a median markup of 1.4 times. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best Japanese stationery brand? There isn't one best brand; each leads a category. For pens, Pilot, uni (Mitsubishi Pencil) and Zebra are the big three, and Zebra says its Sarasa Clip has been Japan's best-selling gel pen for 14 years. KOKUYO and Midori lead notebooks, Hobonichi planners and mt washi tape. ### Why is Japanese stationery so popular? Japanese makers introduced pen types the world now uses, such as the gel-ink ballpoint (Sakura, 1984) and the erasable FriXion (Pilot, 2006), and they sell finer tips and thinner paper than most Western brands. Exports show the demand: 120.4 billion yen (about US$762 million) of writing instruments in 2025, with the US the biggest buyer. ### Where can I buy Japanese stationery in the US? In person, at Kinokuniya's 19 US bookstores, its Mai Do stationery shops in San Francisco and San Jose, and Yoseka Stationery in Brooklyn. Online, at Yoseka, Goulet Pens for fountain pens, and the US stores of Tombow, Zebra, Pentel and uni. ### Is Japanese stationery cheaper in Japan? Usually. In our October 2026 index of 60 Japanese items, the median US price was 1.4 times the maker's tax-included Japanese list price, from 0.7 times for the Pilot Falcon to 3.2 times for MUJI's gel pen. Several Pilot gold-nib fountain pens cost less in the US. ### What Japanese stationery should I buy first? Start with a Zebra Sarasa Clip gel pen, a Midori MD or KOKUYO Campus notebook and a Tombow MONO eraser. Add a Kuru Toga pencil, a Platinum Preppy for fountain-pen ink, Mildliner highlighters, a roll of mt tape and, for a daily planner, the Hobonichi Techo. ### Hobonichi or Jibun Techo: which Japanese planner should I get? Pick the Hobonichi Techo to journal: it has one grid page per day in A6 or A5. Pick KOKUYO's Jibun Techo to time-block: its weekly pages have seven columns crossed by a 24-hour timeline, in an A5 Slim set of three books. ### What is the Japan Stationery Award? An annual award run at the ISOT trade fair in Tokyo by RX Japan. The 35th, in 2026, named 12 winners in four categories, function, design, sustainable and trend, and gave its grand prix to Maruman's Spiral Note Basic on June 24, 2026. ## Sources - [JWIMA (Japan Writing Instruments Manufacturers Association): 2025年筆記具類の輸出状況 (2025 exports: 120.4 billion yen)](https://www.jwima.org/assets/statistics/toukei_siryo05.pdf) - [JWIMA: 筆記具類の主要国別輸出金額 2022–2025 (US the biggest market, 28.6 billion yen in 2025)](https://www.jwima.org/assets/statistics/toukei_siryo07.pdf) - [JWIMA: 2025年筆記具類の生産・販売状況 (2025 production: 1.55 billion ballpoints)](https://www.jwima.org/assets/statistics/toukei_siryo01.pdf) - [Sakura Color Products (Japan): 沿革 (1984 Ball Sign, the world's first water-based gel-ink ballpoint)](https://www.craypas.co.jp/company/history/) - [Pilot Corporation (Japan): 歴史・沿革 (1963 Capless; 2006 FriXion Ball)](https://corp.pilot.co.jp/company/history/) - [「サラサクリップ3C/2+S レトロ・シック」8月6日に数量限定発売 (Zebra press release, July 22, 2026: No. 1 gel pen for 14 years by Nikkei POS)](https://digitalpr.jp/pdf.php?r=139546) - [マークス: mizutamaさんの 水性ペンで書けるマスキングテープと刺繍ステッカー 発売 (MARK'S press release, February 9, 2022: masté masking-tape brand, writable with water-based pens)](https://www.value-press.com/pressrelease/290052) - [Books Kinokuniya USA: Store Locations (19 Kinokuniya stores in 8 states and the Mai Do stationery shops; read October 26, 2026)](https://usa.kinokuniya.com/pages/stores) - [Yoseka Stationery: Plan Your Visit (63 West St, Brooklyn; gold-nib testers; read October 26, 2026)](https://yosekastationery.com/pages/visit-yoseka) - [Tombow USA (online store; free shipping on US orders over $40, read October 26, 2026)](https://www.tombowusa.com/) - [Zebra Pen (US online store; read October 26, 2026)](https://www.zebrapen.com/) - [Pentel of America (US online store; read October 26, 2026)](https://www.pentel.com/) - [uni (US online store): uniball JETSTREAM RT (read October 26, 2026)](https://www.unibrands.co/products/jetstream-rt-ballpoint-pens)