Great Japan Souvenirs: Hooked on Hobonichi

In this series of indispensable and useful Japan souvenirs, I am going to introduce you to some some tried-and-tested favourites that always make it to my shopping list, and that are well worth buying. I never thought I would write this, and I never thought I would fall into the cult that is Hobonichi, a brand well known and loved for its planners on ultra-thin durable paper.

This post is focused on buying Hobonichi planners and accessories in Japan in person. There are many stockists and sellers outside Japan, and of course, you an also buy online while you are in Japan and get them delivered, but I have never done this, so my experience so far is buying in person.

My Planners throughout Life

I love planning. I need a planner, always. At school, I had a dedicated book, can’t even remember its name, but every Eastern German Student had to have it, it was compulsory. Mainly to put in your homework and class schedules.

When I went to uni, I made do with a very cheap ring binder planner, which I soon swapped for the cheapest Filofax, a rubber “Student” which I later swapped for a elegant red leather version I bought at Fortnum’s and Mason’s some fifteen years later. You see Filofax was THE planner to have in the 1980’s, and between reading novels by Bret Easton Ellis and Jay McInerney, working hard at the hospital and at uni, I wanted that token of success, the Filofax. So, that lasted a long time.

Then came smartphones. Diaries that beeped. I went paper-free for a couple years, then back to planners, bit I did not want to lug my pretty but undoubtedly heavy red Filofax everywhere. So I got a Lett’s Diary – now the same stable as Filofax. They did a beautiful small diary with a washi paper cover – a version of their Classic Slim Week. Nice while it lasted, but sadly the washi paper ran out after a few years. Then, being ever so much the Japanese paper fan, I bought a Midori A6 Week on two pages Diary (because, cute cats on it) but missed the Classic Slim Weeks size of the Letts.

Enter the Hobonichi Techo. I thought Hobonichi Diaries were overrated consumer products with a cult like following until I saw the Weeks, Like the Letts Classic Slim, but with a better design – a week per page, with free/extra space on the facing page. An ideal planner design. Nicer covers. The Mega Weeks has an extra 220 pages of paper for notes and all sorts of things in addition to the planner and was as slim as my Letts without the extra pages. I was sold! Give me Hobonichi!

I bought my current planner in November 2025 in Sendai (at Loft) and there were many “special” designs left. I opted for a rather plain cover in a colour I liked, because I prefer a cloth bound planner. I do minimal “customization”. In this case a clear cover (with useful inside pockets) and a B-Side Label Osaka Sticker I bought while waiting for my flight at Kansai International Airport.

The Paper

Aside from the convenient slim format, the paper Hobonichi planners are made of is one of the reasons I switched to Hobonichi. It is so thin and smooth. I already knew Japanese paper is generally great quality. Even my 100Yen notebooks are great. I have been a fan of Midori notebooks for some years now.

But Hobonichi paper is a notch up – and much thinner than any paper I worked with. It is made for fountain pen and water based ink. The special paper is called Tomoe River paper.

Much has been said about the “old” Tomoe River, which was used until about 2021, being much superior than the current paper. At some point in the early 2020’s, another paper company called Sanzen took over production of the Tomoe River paper, and I have heard that the first editions were not great.

However, being late to the Hobonichi game, I only know Hobonichi from 2025, when another refined version of the refined version of the Sanzen Tomoe River Paper was released, and I can say it is very good.

I use my Hobonichi Weeks like a regular planner, and write in it with a variety of pens. Mostly, gel pens fro the 100Yen store or Sarasa Clip 0.5mm gel pens. I experienced no bleeding in over 9 months of use.

I sometimes use coloured gel pens, from Muji or Mitsubishi Uniball. A minor amount of bleeding, no big deal.

Random ballpoint pens when I use it at work, hotel ballpoint pens. So far, no bleeding, just a bit of extra texture from the impressions, but nothing really bad.

The Design

Hobonichi planers come in different sizes and in different designs – with lots of accessories. I am no expert, and I only own one Hobonichi planner – a 2026 Mega Weeks (and some notebooks). And already hooked! You can turn the Hobonichi design into a whole science, and spend a lot of money. The best time to buy is obviously in autumn when the next year’s designs come out. If you are in Tokyo or Kyoto, definitely seek out one of their flagship stores, but Loft usually keeps a wide choice.

For those visiting in Japan at other times, don’t despair… Hobonichi planners are usually in stock all year round, although some of the popular designs may sell out, and there is also a version of planner that starts in April (sold from February), so perfect for those cherry blossom visitors. Most planners come in an English and a Japanese Version. My version is Japanese and I barely notice it, because the calendar is bilingual Japanese-English even in the Japanese version. Also, I like the Japanese National Holidays written in the calendar, and not American or British ones. In fact, I have no idea what the English versions look like.

So, starting with the Techo Weeks, which is my favourite planner. Its dimensions are 18.5x9cm, which is best described as “Classic Slim”. A happy medium between A5 and A6. With a soft cover, either with annual changing collaborations, or in simple monocolour linen binding.

The Original Hobonichi Techo is A6, with one day per page, two to view when the planner is open. Its larger A5 version, the Techo Cousin, has a very similar two days to view, one day per page layout. Then, you get the HON version in both A5 and A6 – similar inside layout, but including a hard cover. To make matters more complicated, you can get the Techo Book, which is basically a Classic with a black softcover.

Then, you get the Techo Day-Free with a monthly calendar and lots of blank pages with no calendarium.

Last not least, a thick 5-Year Planner, which has the same date of each year printed per page, so you end up with a diary that you can use over again for five years – an interesting concept, but I would find not having a week on view difficult for my own planning.

The collaborations changing every year is where it becomes interesting – and where some of the cult following is garnered from, as the Hobonichi disciples wait with baited breath each year for the new lineup to be announced from Augsut, to be sold from early September.

For the current year, for example, it’s Moomins and Liberty fabrics, among others. I don’t pay so much attention. But a lot of Hobonichi’s following eagerly awaits the new designs. The Weeks usually has the designs printed direct on the covers, and with the Classic Tech and Cousin it’s the covers where it’s at. There are new ones every year.

Where to buy Hobonichi Planners and Stationary in Japan

The good thing is: you can buy Hobonichi planners almost anywhere in Japan.

The most reliable place to buy them is probably Loft. You will find Loft in almost every city. Ob my Tohoku trip last year, I found Loft (and a selection of the most common designs of Hobonichi planners) in Sendai and Utsunomiya. This year, I visited a very large Loft in Takamatsu, and even Tokushima, a much smaller city, had a decent-sized branch. So, if you are visiting outside Tokyo or Kyoto, go to Loft.

I have not seen Hobonichi at Hands, by the way – I am a Hands fan, rather than a Loft fan, so if there is a Hands in town, I rather head there.

If you visit Tokyo or Kyoto, it pays to make a visit to the Hobonichi flagship store, called Tobichi. I have not been to the Tokyo one. It is central but a little bit away from tourist attractions, north of the Imperial Palace, in Kanda.

A new Flagship store opens at Gransta Marounouchi Mall in Tokyo Station on 16 September, 2026.

The Kyoto Tobichi is very conveniently located a minute or two from Kawaramachi Station on Kawaramachi Street. I love that shop – blink and you’ll miss it – on the top floor of a nice Art Deco Building, very compact but with a full range of Hobonichi planners and note books.

In Germany, there is exactly one stockist but thankfully, you can buy them online. For example, my version of the Weeks Mega would cost 28 Euro plus Shipping. Which is approximately double the price I paid in Japan for it. The Berlin shop that sells Hobonichi planners (and ships internationally) doesn’t always have uithe full range, but a Cousin A5 for 2026 cost 56 Euro, and the Techo 2026 book cost 44 Euro at the time of writing (2026 is more than half over). An A5 notebook is about twice of what I paid in Japan. So, buying one from Japan (and bringing some for your friends) might be the way forward.

The official Hobonichi Techo website is https://www.1101.com (Japanese) and the official Hobonichi Store website is https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/lineup/.

What I would like for 2027

Every year, the coming year’s Hobonichi planner designs are announced with great fanfare… about one a day, throughout August, on the Hobonichi web site, with sales starting in early September. They are indeed extremely good at inducing FOMO. This, year, I have been toxed, too.

You know, I am really not into gimmicks and “rare” items much. Especially none I have to queue or pay top dollar for. I would see if another trip to Japan was forthcoming, then buy another Mega Weeks in an available colour. And yes, there are new colours ad shades every year. No big deal.

Then , I read on the web that Hobonichi would open another Tokyo Store in Tokyo Station, and sell some special merchandise one could only buy in person in that shop. Including the Suica Penguin. You know, then one that is retiring in2027 due to licensing agreements coming to an end. Guess What? I want a Suica Penguin Weeks now. Will I be in Tokyo in mid-September? Of course not. So, luckily I have a friend who lives in Tokyo, and she likes the Suica Penguin and wants to visit the new store. So, I placed an order. Special special merch running out? Mega Week sin a solid colour it will be. I might even stretch to the extra 550 Yen for another clear cover.

Other great Shopping spots for stationary

I admit I am totally Kyoto-biased here. If you consider the number of posts about Kyoto on this blog, and nothing on Tokyo or Osaka, then you might probably know that Tokyo and I did not gel that well. I prefer smaller places. Give me small cities – Takamatsu, Tokushima, Yamagata, and Nagasaki – I am much happier there and in the countryside. Kyoto I just love, for its history and its stunning temples.

So starting with Kyoto, I also recommend that you pay a visit to Kyukyodo. This is a venerable old shop in the Teramachi Shotengai near City Hall, filled with wonderful classically Japanese stationary, incense, washi paper and calligraphy utensils – see my post here. Their products are sold nationwide, and they have a smaller branch on Tokyo’s Ginza.

Next to Kyukyodo in Kyoto is a totally different kind of stationary shop called Stationary Shop TAG – bright, modern, strong on pens of all kinds. I finally managed to find the Mount Fuji erasers there last time. Their main shop is on Karasuma Street, but the Teramachi branch is very convenient. For example, if you are looking for the Sakura Craft Lab series, they will have them, and you can easily speak to staff and handle the pens.

My favourite shop for stationary is Hands, hands down. they may not carry Hobonichi, but they have lots of other paper products, among them the wonderful Midori paper, many different brands of notebooks, pens, and all sorts o kitchen and lifestyle products, similar to Loft. You will find a Hands in pretty much any Japanese city.

Where to Stay in Tokyo and Kyoto

If you read this blog before, I don’t insert ads into my blog. I find these pop-up ads and every block of text interrupted by an ad rather annoying, an there is no faster way for me to stop reading a blog post, than have a massive ad pop up on me, despite running an ad blocker. My only monetisation is accommodation affiliate links. So, to give this post a little earning potential, I shall add some tried- and tested accommodation – near Hobonichi flagship stores, mainly in Kyoto, but with a couple recommendations for Tokyo, too. I hope that’s okay, please ignore if you wish, if you are looking for reasonably priced, lovely accommodation, read on.

Let’s start with Kyoto, perhaps my most favourite destination. I stayed put and spent two weeks there at language school his year. The Kyoto Tobichi Store was five minutes from school, hence, very tempting. For this stay, I stayed at the RAK Kiyomizu, a lovely quiet private rooms only hostel in the Rokuhara area – south of Gion, but historically significant, with lots of interesting temples and shrines. The hostel is a steal given the area, ideal for first-time sightseeing, with quiet clean rooms, lovely host, and a very relaxing environment. Only disadvantage: There is no kitchen (kettle and microwave on a landing, sink in the room) and the buses (3min walk) can be crowded at busy times, but it’s only a 10 min walk to the nearest train station, and you can walk across Kamo River to Downtown Kyoto in 15 minutes. I have a detailed review here.

My second accommodation near the Hobonichi flagship store in Kyoto this year was several notches up in class and price at the Gate Hotel Takasegawa. It’s officially classed five stars, and in a converted old Elementary School on Takase River, close to Pontocho and Downtown, and hence, only 5 minutes on foot to Tobichi. I’d call it the splurge stay for less – rates are among the most reasonable for five-star hotels in Kyoto (I paid about 120 Euro per night), and rooms are calm, modern, and all in all, I’d recommend this hotel – a complete review is here.

And, last not least, probably the most-recommened hotel on this blog, is the Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei. Don’t be scared of the tongue-breaker, this hotel really is a on-stop shop for first-time visitors who prefer Western -style comforts married to Japanese style and multilingual support. The area is no the most atmospheric but quiet and convenient, with three bus stops in different direction a mere 5min walk away, 10min to Downtown (and Tobichi). And a Komeda’s Coffee very close by :-). I stayed here in 2025 with my mum, and it was her favourite hotel of the trip. Find a detailed review here.

I have been to Tokyo five times in my whole life, and generally, it’s a little too big and too busy for me. The only hotel I have stayed recently was the Almont Hotel Nippori, about 200m from the Yamanote Line, so it’s a 15-20minute hop to Tokyo Station. I prefer the quieter locations, and yet, this is a great area – fallout of bed and into Nippori Fabric town, 15min by bus to Asakusa, and very easy to get to Narita Airport.

The Small Print

I visited Japan on multiple trips between 2004 and 2026 and this post is not sponsored. All product was bought by myself. My travel style is paying my way, using public transport wherever possible cheaper to midrange places to stay, with occasional splurges. All you see here is a personal recommendation based on what I use.

This post contains some affiliate links to Booking.com, meaning I may earn a small commission if you choose to book through one of these links. Most of my travel money still comes from my regular job!

Over the years, I have visited all the shops recommended here. Thank you for reading!

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