The amazing world of Japanese stationery: What to buy and where
Japan is known for its unique and high-quality stationery, bit here are our tips on the best items to look out for!
Combining colorful designs and high-end paper and ink, Japanese stationery is famous for being some of the best in the world! Offering specific Japanese brands and traditional products such as calligraphy pens and paper, there is so much that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Whether you’re an avid scrapbooking fan or a humble, daily user of the classic diary and pens, Japan’s stationery is one thing that you simply cannot skip on your trip.
With so many options to choose from and only so much space in your pencil case, here’s a quick guide on the best from what the world’s stationery capital has to offer.
Where to buy
Japan is home to hundreds of stationery stores around the country. But there are two stores which are unmissable for all stationery lovers.
Both stores offer a wide selection of stationery and scrapbooking goods for customers. Make sure to check out seasonal designs as well – from cherry blossoms in Spring to maple leaves in Fall!
Loft
Having over 170 stores throughout the country, Loft is one of Japan’s biggest and best when it comes to stationery and decorations.
With a luxury pen selection featuring brands such as Mont Blanc and Platinum and collaborations between famous artists, this is an all-rounder for any stationery lover.
Visiting during the holiday period? Loft offers a variety of Christmas-themed cards and home decorations perfect for the festive season.
Itoya
Established over a century ago in 1904, Itoya is famous for its luxurious stationery. Its Ginza store is the biggest stationery store in Japan, towering at an impressive twelve-storeys high.
From accessories like stickers and stamps to the basics, Itoya has all you need for an organized and intricate collection.
Must-buy items
Pens
Large selections of high quality, Japanese pens
Whether you’re looking for a quick ink top-up or wanting to restock your entire collection, Japanese stationery stores offer an almost endless lineup of pens, markers, and highlighters. Notepads are conveniently displayed underneath pen holders so customers can freely test out different stationery to find the best ones for them.
Loft and Itoya sell a range of high-quality Japanese pen brands. Good fountain pens that don’t end in ink smears can be hard to find, but here, luxury brands like Platinum and Namiki are on offer for all.
Luxury fountain pen brands such as Platinum on offer
A few steps away takes you to rows of colorful pens and highlighters from other famous national brands, such as Pentel and Pilot. Endless colors, tip width, and shapes means there is something for everyone to make sure your notes stay clean and presentable.
International brands such as Caran d’Ache and Mont Blanc are also on offer for all those passionate about a smooth, luxurious writing experience.
2. Paper and notebooks
Colorful selections of paper and cardboard
But what’s a good pen without good paper to write on? High-quality paper and notebooks are in no shortage here.
You can find many notebooks that can simply be refilled with new sheets of paper instead of having to buy a whole new one every few months! These thick papers come in an array of colours, sizes, and line widths to suit every user’s needs.
3. Goshuincho
Goshuincho books with classic and traditional designs
If you plan to or have been to Japan, chances are at least a couple of shrines and temples have been on your to-visit list. Many of these offer goshuin, a traditional vermillion-ink stamps with designs specific to that shrine or temple. Each goshuin is unique and not only acts as a record of your visit, but also a memento for the spiritual connection made at the location.
Goshuin can only be stamped into goshuincho, an accordian-like book that can be opened to display the stamped pages. Many stationery stores sell these traditional notebooks, providing a range of patterns and colors to choose from for each traveller.
An incredibly special piece to take home with you as a way to remember the connections you’ve made during your time in Japan.
4. Washi tape
Loads of fun washi tape designs to choose from
Originating in Japan, washi tape is masking tape that is produced from washi paper. This low-mask tape is not only used as adhesive, but also to add character and decoration to letters, scrapbooks, and books!
Washi tape has quickly grown in popularity outside of Japan, with many using it as a quick and easy way to add color and fun to simple pages and packages.
Some may prefer block colors to write on top of as a way to make a heading stand out, whilst others may be more attracted to the countless floral and traditional designs on many rolls.
5. Calligraphy tools
Timeless and detailed calligraphy papers
Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy, is an artform and tradition passed down throughout Japanese history and culture. This beautiful scripture is a combination of spirituality and art, often uses specific utensils to create each piece, and is a great skill for any traveller to have a go at.
Stationery stores offer special calligraphy pages or notebooks, which are often thinner and sometimes longer in height, as calligraphy is written vertically instead of horizontally across the page. Pages usually also come with intricate, traditional designs around the borders to compliment to beauty of the writing.
Calligraphy pens which use an ink brush tip can also be bought at many stores as well, to recreate the intricate brush strokes of traditional shodo.
6. Seasonal decor
Cards and table displays perfect for Fall time
From cards to stickers, each season brings in a flurry of new patterns in Japanese stationery stores.
Celebrating a loved one or special event? Loft and Itoya have walls full of cards decorated with festive characters and seasonal flora. Make every note standout with a specially designed card that can’t just be found at your everyday newsagent.
And whilst you’re there, don’t forget to check out the selection of stickers for every occasion! Whether you’re looking to give your little ones some kawaii (cute) furry friends or want little mementos of the beautiful, unique Japanese landscapes and temples, these stickers are sure to make everyone smile.
Endless arrays of stickers for decoration and scrapbooking
Ready, set, write!
Ready to start exploring what else Japanese stationery has to offer?
Let TokudAw take the stress of planning routes and transport away so you can focus on what you really enjoy. Don’t worry about carrying luggage and shopping bags around with you through the city, book with our in-house private drivers instead, so you can travel with comfort and ease.
