The Best Stationery in Japan and Where to Buy It
Stationery is remarkably popular in Japan, and popular stationery brands in the country continue to innovate and create new products worth picking up if you are in Japan.
So let's break down what makes stationery in Japan so appealing for locals and tourists alike, take a look at some of the most popular brands of stationery, and introduce some popular stores where you can buy all the stationery you need.
What Makes Stationery in Japan So Popular?
In Japan, many locals love to head to popular stationery shops to pick up new pens, notebooks, and so on. But what makes stationery in Japan such a big part of the culture? It comes down to a few things.
・Craftsmanship & Quality
Japanese stationery often showcases meticulous craftsmanship. Whether it's a simple notebook or a sophisticated fountain pen, the attention to detail is remarkable. This reflects the Japanese value of monozukuri, which means "the art of making things." As a result, the final products are generally of high quality.
・Heritage & Innovation
Japanese stationery frequently incorporates traditional elements. For example, washi (Japanese paper) is used in many products like notebooks and masking tapes. Even many modern products will incorporate traditional elements to show respect for the history of traditional crafts in Japan.
However, despite tradition being an important part of stationery-making in Japan, Japanese stationery is also known for innovation. Brands like Pilot constantly integrate new technologies into their products, such as erasable ink in the immensely popular Frixion pen series.
Popular Stationery Brands
Here are some of the most popular stationery brands in Japan that you should consider buying if you visit a stationery shop here.
・Midori
Midori is known for its high-quality notebooks and planners, in particular the MD Notebooks and Traveler's Notebooks. Midori's products have simple yet functional designs and are kept minimalist to allow people to customize them as they see fit. The paper quality is excellent and suitable for fountain pens.
・Pilot
Pilot is renowned for its fountain pens and ballpoint pens. The "Frixion" erasable pens and highlighters are especially popular, and these are available in a wide range of vibrant colors. Pilot is one of the most innovative stationery companies in Japan, always looking to integrate new technologies into their products to make them more comfortable and functional.
Platinum Pen
Platinum is a long-established Japanese fountain pen manufacturer known for its classic fountain pen designs. These pens are characterized by high-quality materials and craftsmanship, so if you are looking for as smooth a writing experience as possible, consider this brand.
Popular Stationery Shops in Japan
There are a range of stores all across Japan where you can buy stationery. Here are a few of the popular stores you will find in Tokyo as well as other cities.
・LOFT
LOFT is a popular store with locations in cities all over Japan. It has a huge variety of household goods and a large stationery section. You can spend hours looking through all the pens, notebooks, and other stationery they sell. LOFT is also a great place to pick up postcards to send to family and friends, especially during the holiday season.
Click here to check out Loft's website.
・Itoya (G.Itoya)
Itoya is one of the oldest stationery stores in Japan, having been operating in Tokyo for over 100 years. The Tokyo location was reopened in June 2015 as G.Itoya. G.Itoya has become a very popular spot for foreign tourists visiting Ginza in Tokyo due to the range of quality products they sell. Itoya also has a store in Yokohama, and smaller Itoya stores can be found in some airports in Japan.
Click here to check out Itoya's website.
・DELFONICS (Smith）
DELFONICS sells largely original and select stationery products. They also operate the Store Smith, which sells stationery and more. They also have a store called Smith, which sells not only stationery but also miscellaneous goods. Smith can be found in cities across Japan, making this a good place to stop no matter where you are traveling.
Click here to check out their website.
・Sekaido
Sekaido is a specialty art store that sells a huge range of affordable art supplies and stationery. The main store in Shinjuku is five floors and has just about anything you need if you love art or stationery. They also have stores in other parts of Tokyo and cities in Japan, like Yokohama and Nagoya.
Click here to learn more.
・Convenience Stores
If you don't have time to make it out to a dedicated stationery store, why not check a nearby convenience store? They are everywhere and usually carry a small selection of stationery. They may even have limited edition goods that you can only find at that specific convenience store!
Happy Stationery Shopping!
Stationery from Japan makes for a great souvenir, either for yourself or for someone else. If you are living in Japan but haven't started delving into the world of Japanese stationery yet, now is as good a time as any. With such a wide array of products available, you are bound to find stationery in Japan that is not only practical to use, but fun as well.
