10 Best Japanese Stationery Brands Loved Worldwide

Stationery in Japan reflects a culture that values craftsmanship, attention to detail, and everyday beauty. From decades-refined notebooks to clever, practical pens, Japanese stationery blends function with elegance.

This article highlights 12 popular Japanese stationery brands, each with its own story, signature products, and international recognition.

1. Muji

Best for: Minimalist, affordable everyday stationery for students, professionals, and travelers.

Muji is perhaps the most globally recognized Japanese stationery brand. And one of the top Japanese brands out there… hey, they even have a shop under the pyramid in Paris’ famed Louvre museum.

Known for its minimalist design, Muji embodies simplicity without sacrificing function. Their notebooks, pens and office supplies avoid decoration and instead focus on clean lines, neutral colors and practical usability.

Fans love Muji stationery because their products are affordable yet feel refined, making them a popular choice for students, travelers and professionals who value simplicity.

2. Pilot

Best for: Reliable pens and writing tools; erasable ink for students, smooth fountain pens for artists and professionals.

Pilot is one of the giants of Japanese stationery. When it comes to writing tools from Japan, Pilot is in command. Known for reliable pens and constant innovation, Pilot has created products that are used everywhere from classrooms to corporate offices.

Their Frixion series, with erasable ink, changed how people thought about pen design and has become a bestseller worldwide.

Pilot is also celebrated for its fountain pens, such as the Metropolitan, which provide a smooth writing experience at an accessible price. Artists and calligraphers admire Pilot for its high-quality inks and broad range of nib options.

The brand is trusted because it consistently delivers tools that work flawlessly in daily life.

3. Kokuyo

Best for: School and office essentials; notebooks, planners, and organizers with excellent paper quality.

Kokuyo is synonymous with Japanese school and office life. Their Campus notebooks are among the most iconic stationery products in Japan, used by millions of students each year. What makes them special is the paper quality and the thoughtful design of the pages, which encourage neat handwriting (oh so important in Japan!) and easy organization.

Beyond notebooks, Kokuyo produces file binders, planners and office accessories that combine practicality with subtle style. For international fans, Kokuyo represents the core of Japanese stationery: reliable, affordable and well designed for everyday use.

Artists also appreciate Kokuyo’s sketchbooks and creative tools. The brand bridges the gap between professional and casual users, offering products that feel at home in classrooms, boardrooms and studios alike.

4. Zebra

Best for: Fun and versatile pens/highlighters; great for bullet journaling, color-coding, and creative projects.

Zebra is the brand behind some of Japan’s most viral stationery products of recent years. The Mildliner series, with its soft pastel highlighters, became a sensation among students and journal enthusiasts around the world. The Sarasa clip pens are another fan favorite, known for their smooth ink flow and wide range of colors.

What sets Zebra apart is its understanding of what people want in modern stationery. Their products often combine playful design with dependable quality. Students use them for note taking, bullet journaling and creative projects, while professionals enjoy them for quick color coding and neat presentation. That’s a versatile player right there!

5. Tombow

Best for: Art and calligraphy; brush pens, pencils, and erasers for students and illustrators.

Tombow is a brand with deep roots in Japanese stationery, particularly known for its Mono erasers and drawing pencils. Over time, Tombow has expanded into pens and brush markers that have become staples in both classrooms and art studios.

Calligraphers and illustrators especially value Tombow brush pens for their flexible tips and rich ink. Students rely on Mono erasers as some of the cleanest and most effective erasers available. The brand blends professional quality with everyday accessibility.

6. Sakura

Best for: Professional-quality pens for artists and illustrators; Micron pens for precision, Gelly Roll for decorative fun.

Sakura (the pen, not Japan’s iconic cherry blossom) is best known internationally for its Micron pens and Gelly Roll gel pens.

The Micron is a favorite among artists, illustrators and architects because of its archival quality ink and fine tip options. The Gelly Roll, on the other hand, brought metallics, pastels and glitter into everyday stationery, making creative expression easy for everyone.

7. Hobonichi

Best for: Planners and journaling; creative layouts with premium Tomoe River paper, perfect for personalization.

Hobonichi has a dedicated following around the world, thanks to its meticulously designed planners.

The Hobonichi Techo is the flagship product, celebrated for its Tomoe River paper, which is lightweight yet resistant to ink bleed. (you’ll thank them later)

Fans describe using a Hobonichi planner as an experience rather than just a task. The layout encourages creativity and journaling. Many users decorate their Hobonichi pages with stickers, washi tape and drawings, turning them into personal works of art.

8. Sailor

Best for: Luxury fountain pens; collectors and enthusiasts seeking high craftsmanship and smooth writing.

Sailor is a historic Japanese brand specializing in high end fountain pens. Each Sailor pen reflects the company’s dedication to craftsmanship, with nibs that are often handcrafted by skilled artisans.

Collectors around the world admire Sailor for its balance of tradition and performance. Writing with a Sailor pen feels smooth and precise, and the pens themselves are often beautiful objects in their own right, available in elegant colors and finishes.

Though Sailor is a niche brand compared to everyday names like Muji or Zebra, it holds an important place in the world of Japanese stationery. For those who view writing instruments as lifelong companions, Sailor is in your league.

9. Tsubame Note

Best for: Classic notebooks with high-quality paper; ideal for fountain pens, academic use, and writers seeking timeless designs.

Tsubame Note is a classic brand that has been producing notebooks in Japan for decades. Known for its distinctive covers and high quality paper, Tsubame notebooks have a loyal following among those who value the feel of writing.

The paper is smooth, durable and ideal for fountain pens as well as regular ballpoints or pencils. The notebooks are often used in academic settings, but they also appeal to writers and artists who want an old school Japanese product with lasting quality.

Tsubame Note reminds us that sometimes the simplest designs endure the longest. A Tsubame notebook is not flashy, but it feels dependable and timeless.

10. Kamiiso

Best for: Washi tape and craft supplies; perfect for scrapbooking, journaling, and decorative projects.

Kamiiso is valued by crafters for its washi tape and paper products. What’s washi tape, you might be asking? Well what was originally a Japanese invention, a decorative, paper-based adhesive tape that’s made from lovely washi paper, has become a worldwide trend in decorating planners, scrapbook and crafts.

Kamiiso remains one of the go to names for high quality washi products. Their designs range from subtle pastels to bold patterns, and this means endless creative possibilities. Beyond tape, Kamiiso also produces paper goods that highlight traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Why Japanese Stationery is Unique

Japanese stationery stands out for its attention to detail, quality materials, and thoughtful design. Japanese stationery papers are often exceptionally smooth and resistant to ink bleed, making writing and drawing more precise and enjoyable. Japanese pens are engineered for consistent flow, comfort, and durability, whether you’re taking notes, journaling, or sketching.

Beyond function, Japanese stationery emphasizes everyday beauty and usability. Minimalist designs, subtle colors, and careful craftsmanship create tools that feel elegant without being flashy. Even small items, like erasers or washi tape, are crafted with care, turning ordinary tasks into a more satisfying experience.

For students, professionals, and creatives alike, Japanese stationery is not just a tool it’s a practical, reliable companion that enhances productivity, organization, and creative expression.

Get Your Hands On Japanese Stationery

Buying Japanese stationery means choosing quality, careful design, and practical functionality. From smooth-writing pens to durable notebooks, these tools make writing, planning, and creative projects easier and more enjoyable, with a quiet elegance in every detail.

Explore these brands and discover stationery that inspires your creativity, organizes your life, and makes every moment of writing a little more enjoyable.

Want more Japanese stationery recommendations? Don’t miss these 8 Daiso stationery items you need in your collection!