Between Japan’s long and rich history in paper making, and the importance that handwriting has in their culture, it’s no wonder that Japanese stationery is among the best in the world.
And in this era of screen time and sensory overload, it’s just so soothing to have a simple notebook in hand. When you put pen to paper, it’s as if the noise and distractions of the world fade into the distance. Which is why stationery is still highly respected in Japan. The tactile experience of a notebook and pen provides a calming antidote to today’s fast-paced world.
So what sets Japanese stationery apart?
You know a country has a strong reputation for stationery when even their stationery stores are considered travel destinations in their own right. Here are some of the many reasons that Japanese stationery is widely beloved.
Craftsmanship. When it comes to materials and craftsmanship, you can expect nothing but the best from Japanese stationery. From the attention to detail to using the best materials for their notebooks and pens, the quality and construction of Japanese stationery can’t be beat.
Good design. Whether it’s a bright and colorful gel pen, or a classic notebook with clean, elegant lines, Japanese stationery is pleasing to the eye. And let’s be honest, spiral-bound notebooks from the drugstore don’t exactly inspire. A beautifully made notebook, on the other hand, is the kind of item that you would proudly display on your desk and look forward to using.
Practicality. While Japanese products are nice to look at, they are also designed with practicality in mind. Notebooks and pens are made with the understanding that people are using these products for work, study, and creative expression. Japanese stationery is made to be durable, sturdy, and convenient to carry everyday.
Affordability. These days, a well-made product is usually accompanied by a hefty price tag. But fortunately for us, Japanese stationery has an accessible price point. You can get your hands on the most gorgeous notebooks and high-quality pens without breaking the bank.
So if you’re looking for a thoughtful and budget-friendly gift, you can’t go wrong with Japanese stationery. Below is a roundup of our favorite notebooks and writing accessories–you’re bound to find one that will bring a smile to your recipient’s face.
Japanese stationery is the perfect gift for…
Your boss. We can all agree that bosses and managers are so hard to shop for. You want to impress but you also don’t want to overspend. A timeless notebook will do just the trick. Not only does it look like a big splurge, but it’s easy on your wallet.
Student. Japanese stationery will make studying, note-taking, and researching a much more pleasant experience for the student in your life.
Recent grad. Set your recent grad up for future success with a beautiful notebook. They’ll feel so much more confident at job interviews and internships when they have a professional looking notebook in hand.
Creative friend. Japanese stationery would make a thoughtful gift for the creative person in your life. They can use these notebooks for brainstorming, journaling, drawing, and more.
Your Kunisawa gift guide
Here at Ink+Volt, it’s no secret that we are big fans of Japanese stationery. So when it was time to pick our favorite Japanese stationery products, Kunisawa was a no-brainer.
Based in Tokyo, the Kunisawa company is devoted to creating high-quality and sophisticated products that inspire. Similar to a classic watch or fountain pen, Kunisawa notebooks feel like an investment piece. But they’re also affordable and functional, so you won’t feel so precious about using them everyday.
And what’s so impressive about the Kunisawa brand is that a lot of thought and research goes into finding the best paper so that it performs well with a variety of pens, especially fountain pens. So no more worrying about ink bleeding through the pages. These pages will hold up and your pen will glide easily across the page.
Below is a round up of Kunisawa stationery that we can’t get enough of.
Kunisawa Executive Notebook. With its sophisticated cover and foil-gilded details, the Executive Notebook looks like a luxury item minus the exorbitant price tag. This would make an elegant gift for your boss or coworker.
Kunisawa Flex Mini Notebook. This is the perfect gift for your travel-loving friend. Thanks to its soft cover and smaller dimensions, it’s a convenient size for a purse, carry-on, or tote bag. The pages have a gridded pattern making it suitable for to-do lists, notes, and project planning.
Kunisawa Find Smart Pocket Notebook . Thanks to the durable cover, the Find Smart Notebook is a great option for those times when you need to write something down but a desk or sturdy surface is unavailable. This is the perfect gift for coworkers who are running off to meetings or creatives who want to quickly jot down their ideas.
The Founders Notebook. This notebook is lightweight and durable enough to bring along to meetings and business trips, but also stylish and refined so that your recipient will want to display it on their desk.
Kunisawa Spiral Notebook. This is not your drugstore spiral notebook. It has high quality paper, copper foil detailing, and a hard cover that comes in a variety of beautiful colors. Ideal for journal writing or notetaking.
Kunisawa Find Sticky Memo Pad. This memo pad gives post-it notes a pretty upgrade. The thick card stock cover looks stylish while also protecting the sheets underneath. Perfect for writing down reminders, positive affirmations, ideas, and more.
Want to make your recipient’s day even brighter? You can round out your Japanese stationery gift with a gorgeous pen.
- The Pilot Metropolitan Pen is suitable for first time users and devoted fans alike. And bonus: the pen is packaged in a gift box and includes a refillable cartridge.
- If your recipient is a student or a dedicated journal writer, they will definitely appreciate the OHTO Liberty Ceramic Rollerball pen. The ceramic tip ensures a smooth and pleasant writing experience.
- For fans of bullet journaling, give them the gift of the Penco Drafting Ballpoint pen. It has a needlepoint tip which makes it ideal for bullet journaling and creating crisp, straight lines.
