50 Best Japanese Stationery You Can Buy Online

by Teni Wada | Updated July 2022 | LIFESTYLE

Bullet journaling, calligraphy, and letter writing have seen a sharp rise in popularity, and at the forefront are Japanese stationery and writing utensils. But, have you ever wondered what makes Japanese items so special?

Japanese stationery brands compete in a very busy market where manufacturers must constantly create new and better products in order to stand out from the crowd. The result? Innovative yet practical items that will constantly make you exclaim in amazement, “I never knew I needed this!” Here’s a selection of 50 stationery items from Japan that you’ll surely want to add to your collection.

Our editors independently researched and recommend the best products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links at no additional cost to you.

1. Watercolor Washi Tape Set

An indispensable and inexpensive item that will brighten your planners and revolutionize your DIY projects is colorful masking tape made from Japanese washi paper with a light adhesive. This set of 8 watercolor-inspired washi tape rolls adds a romantic and dreamy touch to your daily living.

Watercolor Washi Tape Set – Available at Amazon

2. Spirited Away Origami Paper

Origami is the Japanese art of folding sheets of paper to create shapes. While you can use virtually any kind of paper for origami, chiyogami paper is largely preferred. This set of chiyogami is illustrated with characters from Studio Ghibli films. Choose from Kiki’s Delivery Service or Spirited Away, and have an enchanted time creating equally magical origami art.

Spirited Away Origami Paper – Available at Amazon

3. Kokuyo Harinacs Press Staple-Free Stapler

Introducing (one of) the greatest stationery items to come from Japan: the staple-free stapler! So, how exactly does a “staple-free” stapler work? This compact device “crimps” sheets of paper together, creating a temporary seal that does not damage your documents. Depending on the thickness of your paper, this stapler can bind up to 5 sheets at at one time.

Staple-Free Stapler – Available at Amazon

4. Fudenosuke 10 Color Brush Pen Set

Express your creativity with this set of 10 vivid Japanese calligraphy pens from Tombow. Its Fudenosuke brush pens have a firm but flexible tip that gives you complete control of each stroke, making them particularly useful for hand-lettering, illustrations, and greeting card designs.

10 Color Brush Pen Set – Available at Amazon

5. My Neighbor Totoro Mini Rubber Stamp Set

You'll surely be singing “To-to-ro Totoro…” whenever you reach out for this adorable set of mini stamps featuring the characters from the classic animated film, My Neighbor Totoro. Despite their small size, (1/2 inch x 1/2 inch, 1cm x 1cm) the precision carving of these stamps is impressive! Pair with color ink pads and use it to personalize letters, envelopes,date books, calendars, memos and more!

Mini Rubber Stamp Set – Available at Amazon

6. Electronic Letter Opener

One item you’ll appreciate if you receive a high volume of letters is this battery-operated Asmix letter opener from Aska. It has a self-feeding mechanism, so all you’ll have to do is insert an envelope of any size to open. The Asmix letter opener is palm-sized and takes up very little desk space. For one handed operation, place on a non-skid surface or mat.

Electronic Letter Opener – Available at Amazon

7. Waltzes For the Seasons Coloring Postcards

Letter writing as a means of communication is often overlooked in our digital age. Likewise, sending postcards has fallen out of favor for snapshots that you can easily share online. The pages of this coloring book are actually postcards, so when you’ve finished coloring the gorgeous illustrations, stick a stamp on the reserve side and send it to a loved one.

Waltzes For the Seasons Coloring Postcards – Available at Amazon

8. MUJI Pen Case & Stationery Set

A starter pack of Japanese stationery items, this MUJI stationery set includes sticky notes, a 15 cm ruler, eraser, mechanical pencil, all-point, pen, and refills, all packaged neatly in a spacious, semi-translucent polypropylene peb case. This stationery set is a must-have for those who wish to test the waters of Japanese stationery!

Pen Case & Stationery Set – Available at Amazon

9. Uni Posca Paint Marker Pens

Use these uni Posca Paint Marker Pens for when you want to make a bold — and permanent — statement! These paint markers are long-lasting, waterproof, and have high-quality nibs that can accommodate nearly any surface, be it paper, cloth, wood, or metal.

Uni Posca Paint Marker Pens – Available at Amazon

10. Toilet/Poop Eraser Set

Poop, for some reason, has become such a pop culture mainstay that there’s even a museum in Japan dedicated to this bodily function! This set consists of 6 colorful poop erasers; the “poop” itself is a pencil topper eraser while the toilet is a handheld eraser. Share this quirky phenomenon as a gag gift, or keep them for yourself to lift up your spirits when you’re feeling down.

Toilet/Poop Eraser Set – Available at Amazon

11. Traditional Japanese Patterns Washi Tape Set

Perhaps the most powerful letters in the Japanese stationery industry, MT lives up to its name as one of the leading manufacturers of washi, or Japanese masking tape. MT masking tapes are known for their colorful designs, and this set of six traditional Japanese designs is no exception!

Japanese Patterns Washi Tape Set – Available at Amazon

12. PuniLabo Stand Up Pen Case

Osaka is known for its residents who have an affinity for animal print clothing, so it’s no wonder these adorable animal shaped silicone pencil cases are from a Osaka-based company! Available in two sizes and six different animal designs, these pen cases instantly transform into an upright pen holder when you press down the bottom of the case. There’s also a loop inside the lid for storing erasers.

PuniLabo Stand Up Pen Case – Available at Amazon

13. Tombow 3-Pack Irojiten Color Dictionary

Gift the joy of art with this exquise 90 color pencil set from Tombow. Officially packaged as a Color Dictionary (Irojiten in Japanese), this deluxe box set boasts three realistic color themes inspired by nature: Rainforest, Seascape, and Woodlands. The wax based colors range from pastels to vibrant hues, to dark shades to fluorescent tones that beautifully capture nature’s glory.

Irojiten Color Dictionary – Available at Amazon

14. Twisted Wonderland Book Memo Pad Set

The naughty boys of Twisted Wonderland take center stage in this visually stunning fold-out booklet that doubles as a memo pad set. There are 6 different memo pads, each consisting of 20 pages, which are illustrated with the different house symbols and students of Night Raven College. If you’ve always been indecisive in choosing a house or a player, here’s your chance to have them all at once!

Twisted Wonderland Book Memo Pad Set – Available at Amazon

15. Cat-Shaped Bag Clips

Cats certainly have a knack for getting into things, but this set of six adorable cat shaped clips will surely keep those little paws from rearranging papers on your desk. Use them to organize and keep track of your memos, clippings, and important documents. They also make for super cute bookmarks, too!

Cat-Shaped Bag Clips – Available at Amazon

16. Midori Compact Correction Tape

If you’ve recently decided to go “analog” and send written messages to friends and family, soon you’ll discover one downside to handwritten notes — mistakes! But don’t fret, since the introduction of correction tape in 1989, Japanese stationery brands continue to create innovative products like this sleek, ultra compact and slim correction tape from Midori. The non-slip grip gives you control as you maneuver the tape over the paper, while the clear tip lets you pinpoint exactly where the tape should be applied.

Midori Compact Correction Tape – Available at Amazon

17. Kokuyo Pen-Stand Pouch

In the age where remote work has become the new normal, it’s imperative that your tools be just as flexible as your schedule. Enter the Haco Biz from Kokuyo, a pouch that does more than storing your writing utensils, stationery, erasers and scissors, etc. It also functions as a desk organizer, meaning that once you’ve reached your destination (or a different part of your home) you can seamlessly transition to “work mode” without having to re-organize all your belongings.

Pen-Stand Pouch – Available at Amazon

18. Kokuyo Dotliner Glue Tape

Write each letter with love but seal your envelopes and affix postage stamps in a sanitary manner with Dotliner Glue Tape. This refillable device effortlessly applies a thin strip of strong adhesive to envelopes, card stock, and other paper material, without leaving behind any unwanted residue.

Kokuyo Dotliner Glue Tape – Available at Amazon

19. Iwako Bento Eraser Set

Add a touch of kawaii to your growing stationery set with these adorable bento themed erasers from Iwako, Japan’s leader in quirky and colorful erasers. The brand is known particularly for its interlocking block erasers, and these highly detailed bento erasers also feature removable parts. They're such an accurate recreation of a Japanese lunch box that you’ll feel guilty about using them for their intended purpose!

Bento Eraser Set – Available at Amazon

20. Demon Slayer Kokuyo Campus Notebooks

An absolute must for anyone who’s into stationery as well as the hit Demon Slayer series, this set of 5 Campus notebooks measuring 182 × 257 mm (about 7” x 10”) each. Each notebook is brightly colored and features a different character to help you can stay organized effectively through color coding!

Demon Slayer Kokuyo Campus Notebooks – Available at Amazon

21. Sanrio Hello Kitty Friends Stamp Set

Hello Kitty is Japan's undisputed queen of kawaii, and this perfectly pink stamp set matches her cheery disposition. The sparkly storage case even looks like a frilly handbag that Miss Kitty herself would use! The stamps themselves are super cute and come with two color ink pads.

Hello Kitty Friends Stamp Set – Available at Amazon

22. Bright Washi Tape Set

In need of reminder stickers for your bullet journal, planner, or wall calendar? This set of 10 vibrantly colored MT washi tapes will certainly do the trick! Quickly establish a system of labels so you’ll instantly recognize all your important dates and tasks at a glance. Unlike sticky notes, washi tape lays flat, ensuring that your reminder stays in place. In addition, the coating on the wash tape ensures that your notes won’t smear or smudge.

Bright Washi Tape Set – Available at Amazon

23. Zebra Highlighter Set

Expand your range of artistic expression with this wonderful rainbow of 25 pastel color Zebra Midliner highlighter pens. Each package contains 5 different hues for a total of 25 soft and lovely tones. These Japanese highlighter pens use water-based ink and are doubled-sided with fine and broad tips, so you can underline or highlight important dates with fine lines, or be bold with your bullet journaling.

Zebra Highlighter Set – Available at Amazon

24. Set of 5 Pokemon Themed Campus Notebooks

When it comes to pokemon, it’s true that you gotta catch ‘em all — so it’s good thing Campus has released this set of 5 adorable Pokemon notebooks featuring the series’ mascot, Pikachu, accompanied by an Eevee or one of its evolutions (Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, and Sylveon). Campus is the to-go brand for students in Japan, so not only are you getting a seriously kawaii set of notebooks, the paper quality is top-notch as well!

Pokemon Themed Campus Notebooks – Available at Amazon

25. MUJI Compact Shredder

When space is an issue, smaller is better, and this manual document shredder from lifestyle retailer MUJI is a welcome addition for any at-home office. To use, simply hold over a trash can, insert documents, and feed it through housing the hand crank. For best results, insert documents one page at a time.

Compact Shredder – Available at Amazon

26. Stalogy Planner Journal

When it comes to bullet journaling, perhaps the hardest part of the journey is choosing the right journal. With all the journals out there it can certainly feel overwhelming, but the Stalogy 018 Editor’s Series 365 Notebook is a great starter journal. The slim A6 journal has 368 pages and fits comfortably in a purse or backpack and opens flat, giving you unobstructed access to the margins of its sturdy bleedproof paper that features a faint gray grid.

Stalogy Planner Journal – Available at Amazon

27. Sumikko Gurashi Letter Set

Sumikko Gurashi are a group of wallflowers in search of a place where they truly belong. Use this Sumikko Gurashi themed-letter set to send touching words of affection and encouragement to your loved ones, no matter the distance between you. This letter set contains 4 different coordinating letter and envelope designs featuring the Sumikko a variety of everyday heartwarming scenes.

Sumikko Gurashi Letter Set – Available at Amazon

28. Muji Ballpoint Gel Pens

Minimalist lifestyle retailer MUJI frequently makes appearances on “where to buy stationery in Japan” lists, and among its must-haves are these gel-ink ballpoint pens. These top quality Japanese pens come in a fantastic variety of colors but black is an appropriate choice for professional settings. The pens have a 0.5 mm tip and are refillable and customizable, making them a personalized item that also reduces waste.

Muji Ballpoint Gel Pens – Available at Amazon

29. Midori Grid Bullet Journal

A grid ruled notebook is a great tool for anyone looking to start a bujo, or bullet journal to streamline your personal and professional goals in one easy-to-see location. This notebook from Midori has a light blue grid on a semi-textured creamy paper which does not feather or bleed through. Pick up a few colorful pens, stickers, and washi tape to customize your journaling experience.

Midori Grid Bullet Journal – Available at Amazon

30. Hello Kitty Staple Remover

Despite their tiny size, removing staples is a tough task that takes skill and precision. However, this baby pink staple remover adorned with Hello Kitty’s face on it is equal parts sweet and strong. If you love all things Hello Kitty then this will not disappoint! There is a white attachment located on the back of the stapler remover, which is used to keep the device shut when not in use.

Hello Kitty Staple Remover – Available at Amazon

31. Masking Tape Dispenser

How to cut washi tape perfectly every time: Use the Kokuyo masking tape dispenser! Ideal for all those DIY renovation projects that require multiple strips of washi tape, this masking tape dispenser is all that you will need to get the job done! It can accommodate a roll of washi tape up to 27mm (1 inch) in diameter.

Masking Tape Dispenser – Available at Amazon

32. Petit Moji Highlighter Tape

You’ll never have to worry about highlighter ink bleeding through the sheets of your journal or pages of a book after you’ve switched to erasable highlighter tape! This set comes with five classic highlighter colors — pink, orange, yellow, green, and blue— and an eraser, too! To use, simply glide the tip over the desired text, as you would with correction tape.

Petit Moji Highlighter Tape – Available at Amazon

33. Garden/Fairy Girl Sticker Collection

If your aesthetic is cottagecore or nature-based fashion mori (forest) girls — this garden and fairy girl sticker collection is just for you! Ideal for scrapping and journaling, these stickers are made from washi paper featuring adorable woodland creatures, plants and herbs, and lovely maidens, too.

Garden/Fairy Girl Sticker Collection – Available at Amazon

34. Frixion Gel Pen Set

These Japanese pens will quite literally revolutionized the way you write! Frixion Ball Knock pens have a small rubber nub on the end which can be used to erase text. This set of 10 retractable and refillable pens have a 0.5 mm tip and are highly useful for taking notes and journaling. If you’re feeling playful, you can also use these Frixion pens to send secret messages — the ink is heat-sensitive and text will appear or disappear depending on the temperature of their paper!

Frixion Gel Pen Set – Available at Amazon

35. Tsuchiya Koitsu Postcards

When’s the last time you sent a postcard? While largely associated with New Year’s Greetings, the postcards still remain a viable form of communication between friends, family, and business associates in Japan. This set of 30 postcards feature the stunning and imaginative work of Japanese woodblock artist Koitsu Tsuchiya. Your recipient will feel as if they’ve been whisked away to early 20th century Japan as his artwork captures the essence of Japan at the cusp of its cultural and industrial revolution.

Tsuchiya Koitsu Postcards – Available at Amazon

36. RayMay Portable Scissors

A pair of portable scissors is the perfect tool to compliment your growing collection of washi tape! RayMay Fuji has supplied Japan with stationery and office supplies since 1890, and its compact pencut scissors are an innovative yet practical take on a simple office item. Its slim design is suitable for both left and right hand users and the parts can be disassembled for easy cleaning and storage.

RayMay Portable Scissors – Available at Amazon

37. Zebra Sarasara Vintage Pens

Give into the dark academia temptation and give your letters a touch of 19th gothic romantic elegance with this bundle of 10 of Zebra Sarasa “vintage” themed colors. The deep autumnal toned pens have extra fine points (0.5 mm), allowing for smooth control of each line. The Zebra Sarasa pens pair well Zebra Midline highlighters, making them a duo you’ll certainly want to add to your stationery collection!

Zebra Sarasara Vintage Pens – Available at Amazon

38. Pilot Vanishing Point Retractable Fountain Pen

The Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen is a retractable and refillable writing device that brings the fountain pen into the 21st century. As the world’s first retractable fountain pen, it’s a patented design from Pilot with a 18K gold nib, yet it’s suitable for both professional and daily use. To refill your Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen, use Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink, a series of vibrant hues named after Japanese landscapes and plants.

Retractable Fountain Pen – Available at Amazon

39. Muji Fountain Pen

An affordable option for those curious to the world of reservoir pens, this aluminum fountain pen from Japanese retailer Muji is a sturdy yet lightweight pen that is suitable for everyday use. As a starter pen, it delivers on quality and ink flow. It comes with a cartridge though converters are preferable.

Muji Fountain Pen – Available at Amazon

40. Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink

For vibrant, high-quality ink that will breathe new life into even inexpensive reservoir pens, you can”t go wrong with the Iroshizuku line of pen ink from Pilot. Each bottle contains 50 ml of ink named after Japanese landscapes and plants. This particular color is Shin-Kai or Deep Dea, a blue-black hue with a subtle red sheen that gives depth to the written word. The bottle itself is an attractive design that would serve as a fine decorative accent piece on any desk as well.

Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink – Available at Amazon

41. Muji Color Pencils

Bring life and color to your artwork and bullet journal doodles and with this set of 60 affordable and pigmented color pencils from Muji. in true MUJI fashion, each soft-leaded pencil comes labeled with a number, rather than a color or label. A great investment for beginner to intermediate artists, these pencils blend well and do not hold back when it comes to color and quality.

Muji Color Pencils – Available at Amazon

42. Midori Compact Stapler

Despite its small size, yes, this is indeed a 100% functional stapler! The Midori XS Stapler is a very compact and innovative stationery item that performs well without competing with other items for space. In fact, it’s almost as small as an eraser! As an added measure, not only is this stapler cute, it also locks when not in use, thereby preventing accidents.

Midori Compact Stapler – Available at Amazon

43. Stalogy Sticky Notes

When it comes to temporarily highlighting your notes, marking pages, or adding a quick reference, you can’t go wrong with these translucent Stalogy 007 Thin Sticky Notes. The multiple colors are useful when distinguishing tabs from one another and the adhesive sticks firmly to paper without leaving any residue. As a bonus, these sticky notes come in a casing so you’ll be able to take them on the go, whether you’re headed to the classroom, office, or local coffee shop.

Stalogy Sticky Notes – Available at Amazon

44. Sumikko Gurashi Folding Memo Pad Picture Book

Sumikko Gurashi have taken over Japan since their debut 10 years ago — and now, they’re here to conquer your desk! This collection of 4 memo pads looks just like a storybook that will take you on an adventure with this kawaii crew of misfits.

Memo Pad Picture Book – Available at Amazon

45. Cute Characters Sticky Notes

Who knew that the humble sticky note could be so darn irresistibly cute? Beverly Enterprises got its start with licensed jigsaw puzzles but soon expanded into stationery, resulting in a line of themed sticky notes called Coco Sasu (“Point here,” in Japanese). We’re absolutely loving this purr-fect set of cat sticky notes which are ideal for bookmarking and highlighting important dates in your journal or calendar.

Cute Characters Sticky Notes – Available at Amazon

46. Mitsubishi Uni Pencils & Case

The Mitsubishi Pencil Company has manufactured pencils for nearly 130 years, so when it comes to functional writing and drawing utensils, you know you’re in good hands! This set of 12 2B Uni pencils are sure to become an artist’s best friend. Use these pencils to doodle your aspirations in your bullet journal or to simply jot down notes in your reading materials. These Uni pencils come packaged in a stylish plastic case to ensure you’ll never have to worry about missing pencils again.

Mitsubishi Uni Pencils – Available at Amazon

47. Muji Clear Storage Trays

When it comes to storage containers, there’s no better place to look than minimalist lifestyle retailer Muji. Its five drawer acrylic storage system is ideal for housing your growing Japanese stationery collection. A space-saving addition to any home or office, each drawer glides effortlessly to reveal its contents. Don’t forget to use washi tape to label and decorate the drawers!

Muji Clear Storage Trays – Available at Amazon

48. Tombow Dual Brush Portrait Pens

Give your invitations and table setting markers an extra special personalized touch with these Tombow Dual Brush Portrait Pens to doodle caricatures of your friends and loved ones. Featuring 9 watercolor skin tones and 1 blender marker, the colors can be blended and smoothed without bleeding through most kinds of paper.

Dual Brush Portrait Pens – Available at Amazon

49. Rilakkuma & Friends Bento Origami Paper

How irresistibly delicious are these Rilakkuma & friends bento-themed sheets of origami paper?

Think of all the fun to be had when you recreate authentic foods from a Japanese kissaten and use those creations as lunch box love notes. This set comes with 13 origami sheets and illustrated instructions on how to make hamburgers, fries, croquettes, hot dogs, and more!

Origami Paper – Available at Amazon

50. Kutsuwa Adjustable Pencil Sharpener

Whether you prefer watercolor pencils, colored pencils, or graphite pencils, you need a pencil sharpener that produces a perfectly sharp point every time. Students and artists around the globe praise this unassuming pencil sharpener from Osaka-based stationery company Kutsuwa. Its STAD T'GAAL pencil sharpener has 5 different settings to accommodate different sharpening angles and pencil lengths. When not in use, slide down the shutter and set the dial to “close” to store pencil shavings.

Adjustable Pencil Sharpener – Available at Amazon

JO SELECTS offers helpful suggestions, and genuine recommendations for high-quality, authentic Japanese art & design. We know how difficult it is to search for Japanese artists, artisans and designers on the vast internet, so we came up with this lifestyle guide to highlight the most inspiring Japanese artworks, designs and products for your everyday needs.

All product suggestions are independently selected and individually reviewed. We try our best to update information, but all prices and availability are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, Japan Objects earns from qualifying purchases.