Some people collect stamps, some collect mugs. But if you’re here, chances are you (or your friend) collect stationery – pens, notebooks, stickers, the works – as if it were a defining trait.
And honestly, for many Japanese learners, it is! The right notebook or pen can make study time feel less like homework and more like a little ritual.
And Japanese stationery is so cute, unique and high-quality. I know Japanese stationery stores were some of my favourite places to browse in Japan!
If you’re hunting for the perfect gift for someone who can’t resist a new set of highlighters or a quirky eraser, this guide is for you.
Zebra Pen Mildliner and Sarasa Clip Neutral Journaling Set
Zebra Mildliners are an absolute treasure and I will never be without them! They come in gorgeous, understated colours and they don’t bleed through.
This neutral palette is new for 2025 so your stationery fan might not have their hands on them yet. I love the vintage, calming aesthetic.
The Sarasa Clips are smooth gel ink pens that write very nicely. I just love this set that combines 7 complimentary colours each from the Mildliner and Sarasa ranges. An absolutely irresistible gift for journaling, note-taking, or colour-coding Japanese vocabulary lists.
King Jim Hitotoki Masking Tape Book
We are all familiar with Japanese washi tape, but have you seen this kind of tape before? It’s a book of sheet-style masking tape that you can cut to size, peel, and stick however you like.
It’s really popular in the journaling community, but I think it’s also perfect for decorating study notes, labelling vocab cards, or giving your Japanese diary a bit of flair.
Hobonichi Techo 2026 Day-Free Book
The Hobonichi Techo is a cult classic planner in Japan, and for good reason.
The original has pages marked with the days like a diary, but this version is mostly blank graph paper (with a monthly calendar section at the front), so it’s extremely versatile.
You can use it as a diary, planner, journal, or study notebook; track kanji practice, scrapbook your trip to Japan, scribble down anime quotes…
It’s a design classic and high-quality journal that any stationery lover would be thrilled to receive.
Plus, each page features a quote in Japanese! So you get your daily reading practice in, effortlessly.
Cute Cat Square Notebook
Adorable on the outside (yes, cats are involved) and practical on the inside, this square notebook is designed for creative freedom.
It has squared/graph paper pages, which are popular in Japan as they’re ideal for making sure your Japanese characters are neat. It’s perfect for practising kanji, writing vocabulary lists, or colourful page spreads.
A playful gift for anyone who loves to make their notes pretty.
KITTA Clear Masking Tape Book
Pre-cut strips of transparent masking tape in a handy little book – ideal for decorating your study notes on-the-go!
These clear designs layer beautifully over text, so learners can highlight without covering up their precious study notes. Comes in lots of different colours and patters, too!
Japanese Sweets Eraser Set
Teeny weeny mochi, dango, and dorayaki – but in eraser form! These Iwako erasers are fun, collectible, and a little nostalgic.
They even come apart like puzzles, making them more toy than tool, though they’ll happily fix any kanji-writing mishaps – if you can bear to use them!
Japanese Hiragana Shitajiki
A shitajiki is a plastic writing board you slip under your notebook page to give you a smooth, firm surface.
This one doubles as a learning tool, with the entire hiragana chart – complete with stroke order and pronunciation – printed on top. It’s practical, useful and a constant study prompt.
Sakura Coupy Pencils Set
Beloved by generations of Japanese schoolchildren, Sakura Coupy Pencils are a retro classic! They’re kind of a cross between crayons and pencils – sturdier than crayons, more vibrant than pencils, and practically unbreakable.
Stationery lovers will appreciate these for their iconic design and the chance to own a piece of Japanese culture!
The joy of stationery and study
For Japanese learners who light up at a new pen or a lovingly arranged row of notebooks, stationery is more than a hobby – it’s a source of motivation to sit down at your desk and study!
These gifts bring a little spark of joy to study time. Any of them would make a thoughtful surprise for the stationery-obsessed learner in your life.
Stationery lovers: be sure to share this page with your friends and family! Which one is top of your wish list?
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- 17 Perfect Gift Ideas for People Studying Japanese
- 10 Best Japanese Gifts for Kids Obsessed With Japan
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Rebecca is the founder of Team Japanese. She spent two years teaching English in Ehime, Japan. Now back in the UK, she spends her time blogging, self-studying Japanese and wrangling a very genki toddler.