About JapanStationery
Who We Are
We're stationery enthusiasts based in Japan, surrounded by some of the finest writing instruments, notebooks, and paper goods in the world. JapanStationery was born from our passion for sharing these products with readers worldwide.
Living in Japan gives us unique access to products, shops, and stationery culture that most people only experience through a screen. We visit stationery stores across the country, test products in person, and share our honest findings with you.
Why Japan-Based Matters
Early Access
We get our hands on new Japanese products before they reach international retailers.
Local Shops
We regularly visit stationery districts in Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond — testing everything firsthand.
Genuine Testing
Every product is purchased and tested by our team. No sponsored placements, no paid reviews.
Cultural Context
We understand the design philosophy and craftsmanship behind Japanese stationery.
How We Test & Review
Purchase & Source
We buy all products ourselves from Japanese retailers. We never accept free products in exchange for positive reviews.
Extended Testing
Every product goes through weeks of real-world use — writing, journaling, sketching, and note-taking in daily scenarios.
Comparative Analysis
We compare products against their direct competitors on smoothness, ink quality, durability, comfort, and value.
Honest Verdict
We publish our findings with genuine pros, cons, and clear recommendations — no sugar-coating.
What We Do
We write in-depth reviews, create detailed comparisons, and put together helpful guides to help you find the perfect stationery for your needs.
- Reviews — Honest, thorough assessments of individual products
- Comparisons — Side-by-side evaluations to help you choose
- Guides — Helpful introductions and deep dives into stationery topics
- Curated Lists — Hand-picked recommendations by category
Meet Our Team
Yuki Tanaka
Founder & Lead Reviewer
Tokyo-based stationery reviewer with 3+ years of hands-on experience testing Japanese pens, notebooks, and writing instruments. Has personally tested over 150 products and visited major stationery destinations including Itoya Ginza, Loft Shibuya, Tokyu Hands, and Bung-Box Nagoya. Former technical writer with an eye for detail and product evaluation methodology.
Mika Hayashi
Journaling & Craft Specialist
Osaka-based journal artist and craft enthusiast with a focus on Hobonichi planners, Traveler's Notebooks, washi tape, and Japanese paper crafts. Active member of Japan's journaling community with 50+ products reviewed across journaling and craft categories. Regularly explores craft shops throughout the Kansai region.
Our Commitment
Every recommendation we make is genuine. We believe in honest assessments — if a product has flaws, we'll tell you. If there's a better option, we'll point you to it. Our goal is to be the resource we wish we had when we first fell in love with Japanese stationery.
We may earn a small commission when you purchase through our affiliate links, but this never influences our recommendations. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in. See our affiliate disclosure for full details.
Get in Touch
Have a question about a product? Want to suggest something for us to review? We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message and let us know what stationery topics you'd like us to cover next.