Top 9 Japanese Stationery Brands You Should Try in 2025

From the smooth glide of a gel pen to the subtle texture of premium paper, Japanese brands consistently deliver products that not only perform exceptionally but also inspire creativity and organization. Each year, the world of stationery eagerly anticipates innovations from Japan, proving that these brands consistently outperform themselves.

Japanese stationery items are more than just tools; they offer an experience that combines functionality with style, promising to enhance your work and study routine. Whether you seek reliability for daily writing or special items to spark creativity, exploring the best Japanese stationery brands is a journey into superior craftsmanship.

This article highlights the Top 9 Japanese stationery brands for 2025. We'll explore what makes each brand special, suggest popular products to try and tell you where to buy them. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Japanese stationery, get ready to discover beautiful and effective tools for all your writing, planning, and art needs.

Why Japanese Stationery Stands Out?

Japanese stationery has earned a global reputation for its excellence. This isn't merely a trend; it's a testament to a culture that deeply values craftsmanship, aesthetics, and practical efficiency. Unlike mass-produced items, Japanese stationery often incorporates centuries-old techniques with modern materials, resulting in products that are durable, beautiful, and a pleasure to use. Japanese stationery companies are celebrated for their attention to detail, timeless sophistication, and deep respect for the creative process.

Exploring the Top Japanese Stationery Brands for 2025

1. Pilot: The Everyday Essential with Precision

• Pilot Frixion Erasable Pens: A revolutionary line of pens featuring thermo-sensitive ink that can be erased by friction. The 2025 models boast improved ink formulations for even cleaner erasing.

• Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Pens: Known for their incredibly fine tips and vibrant, smooth-flowing gel ink, perfect for detailed work, journaling, and precise note-taking.

• Pilot Kire-Na Highlighter: Winner of the Japanese Stationery Awards 2025 Grand Prize, this highlighter eliminates ink pooling and smudging thanks to its sponge-like nylon tip and "Kichinto Guide" stabilizer for perfectly straight lines.

2. Uni-ball (Mitsubishi Pencil): The Ink Perfectionist

While often referred to as "Uni-ball," the company's official name is Mitsubishi Pencil. Since 1887, they have been at the forefront of ink technology, producing pens renowned for their smooth flow, vibrant colors, and archival quality.

• Uni-ball Jetstream Series: Celebrated for its revolutionary low-viscosity, oil-based ink that combines the smoothness of a gel pen with the quick-drying properties of a ballpoint. The Jetstream Single Ballpoint Pen with "Light Touch Ink" won the Japanese Stationery Awards 2025 for functionality.

• Uni-ball Signo Gel Pens (especially Signo DX): A cult favorite among stationery enthusiasts for their incredibly smooth ink, vibrant colors, and excellent water and fade resistance. The Uni-ball One F Forest Series also brings an aesthetic appeal with earthy hues.

• Uni Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencil: Features a unique lead rotation mechanism that keeps the pencil lead sharp and consistent, preventing smudging and uneven lines. The 2025 Kuru Toga Metal offers enhanced durability.

3. Zebra: Reliable Performance with Modern Flair

Established in 1914, Zebra is a leading manufacturer of writing instruments known for their smooth ink flow, comfortable grips, and durable construction. They combine traditional reliability with contemporary designs, making them popular for everyday use.

• Zebra Sarasa Clip Gel Pens: Famous for their vibrant, water-based pigment gel ink that is quick-drying and feather-resistant. The "Sarasa Clip Vintage Color" series remains a strong favorite for its unique, subdued hues.

• Zebra BLEN Ballpoint Pen: Designed in collaboration with nendo, this pen minimizes writing vibrations, offering an incredibly stable and smooth writing experience. The 2025 Blen U version offers even lighter oil-based ink.

• Zebra Mildliner Highlighters: Dual-tipped highlighters with soft, translucent colors that are gentler on the eyes than traditional neon highlighters, perfect for highlighting and decorating.

4. Kokuyo: The Master of Minimalist Innovation

Founded in 1905, Kokuyo began by manufacturing book covers and has since grown into a comprehensive office and school supply giant. Known for its minimalist aesthetic and ingenious functional designs, Kokuyo consistently introduces products that simplify daily tasks. Their commitment to innovation is evident in items that solve common stationery frustrations, making them a favorite among students and professionals.

• Kokuyo Campus Loose Leaf Paper (Sarasara & Shikkari styles): These loose-leaf papers are legendary for their quality. The "Sarasara" (smooth) style offers an incredibly smooth writing surface, perfect for effortless pen glides, while the "Shikkari" (firm) style provides a slightly thicker, more textured paper for those who prefer more feedback from their writing instrument. Both are remarkably resistant to bleed-through.

• Kokuyo Jibun Techo Planner: A highly customizable planner system with a unique tripartite layout covering daily, weekly, and monthly views, along with "Life" and "Idea" sections. The 2025 editions continue to feature lightweight, bleed-resistant Kokuyo THIN paper.

• Kokuyo Harinacs Stapleless Stapler: An eco-friendly innovation that fastens papers together by punching and folding, eliminating the need for staples.

5. Midori: Elegance in Simplicity and Paper Quality

Midori, part of the Designphil company, has been crafting high-quality paper products since 1950. Their philosophy centers on simplicity, functionality, and the joy of writing. They are especially famous for their exquisite paper, which provides a beautiful writing experience.

• Midori MD Paper Notebooks: Featuring Midori's signature MD Paper, known for its smooth texture, excellent ink absorption, and resistance to feathering and bleed-through. Available in various sizes and rulings, they are perfect for fountain pen users.

• Midori Traveler's Notebook: A highly customizable and refillable leather notebook system that has gained a massive following for its rugged charm and versatility, ideal for journaling, planning, and sketching. New 2025 limited edition refills are anticipated.

• Midori Diary Hibino 2025: A unique daily diary that offers two pages for each day, providing ample space for extensive planning and journaling.

6. Tombow: Artistry in Everyday Tools

Tombow, founded in 1913, is renowned for its diverse range of art supplies and office stationery. They are particularly famous for their high-quality brush pens and innovative erasers, bridging the gap between artistic expression and practical utility.

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens: Iconic water-based markers with a flexible brush tip on one end and a fine tip on the other, perfect for calligraphy, hand lettering, illustration, and journaling. New color sets are frequently released.

• Tombow Mono Eraser Series: Considered by many to be the best erasers on the market, known for their superior erasing performance and minimal residue. The Mono Graph Lite pen also offers a high-precision tip.

• Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens: Smaller brush pens with firm tips, ideal for beginners and those looking for more control in their lettering.

7. Pentel: Precision and Innovation in Writing

Pentel, a company with roots in graphite product manufacturing since 1946, is a pioneer in developing innovative writing instruments, including the world's first non-permanent marker and felt-tip pen. They are celebrated for their precision and technological advancements.

• Pentel EnerGel Pens: Known for their quick-drying, smooth-flowing gel ink, ideal for left-handed writers and anyone who dislikes smudging. The EnerGel Infree series offers a sleek, clear barrel design.

• Pentel P200 Series Mechanical Pencils: A classic choice among draftsmen and students for their robust construction, precise lead advancement, and comfortable grip.

• Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brushes: Refillable water brushes that are perfect for watercolor painting and blending, offering portability and ease of use for artists on the go.

8. Sakura Color Products Corp.: The Artistic Spectrum

Sakura, founded in 1921, is celebrated for its diverse range of art materials and writing instruments, with a strong emphasis on quality and vibrant colors. They are perhaps best known for inventing the oil pastel and the gel ink pen.

• Sakura Pigma Micron Pens: Fine-line pigment ink pens that are waterproof, fade-resistant, and bleed-proof, a staple for artists, illustrators, and archivists.

• Sakura Gelly Roll Pens: The original gel ink pens, known for their smooth, opaque ink and wide array of vibrant, glitter, metallic, and pastel colors, are perfect for creative projects.

• Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pens: Flexible brush-tipped pens with dye-based ink, ideal for sketching, illustrating, and calligraphy.

9. Hobonichi: The Planner Phenomenon