The 10 Best Japanese Notebooks 2020: Perfect for Japanese Calligraphy, and Japanese Art

Taking notes in class, keeping a journal or simply having a place to record your thoughts requires the right notebook. The best Japanese notebooks are a solid choice because they are simple but have plenty of space.

There are numerous choices, so it is important that you pick the right one. We have explored an array of options to find the ones that are the best.

This narrows down your choices to those that are likely to work for you.  Explore the features and other information to determine which of these notebooks will serve your needs.

10 Best Japanese Notebooks:

1. Kokuyo Campus Notebook Semi B5(“9.8×”7)- 6 mm – 35 Lines X 30 Sheets – Pack of 10 (Japan Import)

The Kokuyo Campus Notebook has wireless binding. Each notebook has 30 sheets so that you will not waste paper. There are 35 lines per sheet.

The paper is strong due to its special film lamination. It is FSC-certified and eco-friendly. You have space to write names and titles on each page to separate your notes or thoughts.

What Consumers Are Saying

Several customers said that due to the size of the notebooks, you do not have wasted pages at the end of a semester.

Other people talked about the paper quality. They said they used multiple ink types and it did not bleed through.

Summary

These are the best Japanese notebooks for school because they are simple. You can customize the layout in any way that you prefer, allowing you to take notes in a way where you can best review remember the information.

2. Midori MD Notebook – A5 Grid Paper

The Midori MD Notebook has a plain white cover so that you can customize it to your needs. Add your name or the class name so that it is easy to identify what you are using this notebook for.

The pages use grid paper, allowing you to use them for drawing, creating graphs and charts or taking notes. You can use markers and pens, allowing you to personalize the look of every page.

What Consumers Are Saying

Multiple customers said that they like that you can use many pens. There is little risk of the ink bleeding through.

Other people mentioned the quality covers. It adequately protects the pages in your notebook.

Summary

This notebook has relatively thick paper so that you can get creative with your writing instruments. Use a fountain pen or other types of ink without the risk of bleed through.

3. Maruman MNEMOSYNE Notebook 8.27 x 5.83 Inches (A5), 7mm ruled 24-line, 80 Sheets

The Maruman Hardcover Executive Notebook features blank headers where you can fill in pages numbers and the date. Each page has 24 lines, giving you adequate writing space. They are divided into three sections.

The lines are college-ruled. This notebook’s binding is double wiring, ensuring durability. Its paper quality is 80gsm.

What Consumers Are Saying

Several customers talked about the creaminess of the paper. It made it easy to get smooth lines with a variety of pens.

Other people said that this notebook is very portable. Carry it in a large pocket or backpack so that it is always available for use.

Summary

This notebook features subtle gray lines that make it easier to draw and write on the pages. It ensures that you can get sharp lines and neatness no matter what you are using the notebook for.

4. Tomoe River FP Japanese Notebook

The Tomoe River FP Notebook features a dot grid on the front of each page. This allows you to use this notebook for many applications, including creating charts and drawings.

You can use multiple pen types, including fountain pens, without the ink bleeding through. The paper is bright white in color so that it will not alter the hue of any colored pens that you use. This notebook’s paper is 52gsm, so it is light but durable.

What Consumers Are Saying

Many people talked about how many pages are in this notebook. The notebook is compact but since it has almost 400 pages, it lasts for a long time.

This notebook has a very strong cover, according to multiple reviewers. They said that it does not experience damage when you carry it.

Summary

This Japanese writing notebook has a strong cover and high-quality paper. Use it for drawing or writing, depending on your needs.

5. Maruman Mnemosyne Special Memo Notepad – B5 (6.9″ X 9.8″) – 7 mm Rule Divisions – 30 Lines X 80 Sheets

The Maruman Mnemosyne Special Memo Notebook has a durable cover that will protect the pages of this notebook. Each sheet of paper has 30 lines, providing plenty of writing space.

The paper is 80gsm, helping to prevent bleeding from markers and pens. The color and texture are ideal for multiple uses, including sketching and drawing.

What Consumers Are Saying

Numerous customers talked about how you can write edge to edge due to the binding so that you do not waste any paper space. It also will not crack and break, keeping all of the pages in place.

Other people said that the paper is excellent. It allows for smooth writing with multiple instruments.

Summary

This portable notebook is a good choice for people who want to carry it with them. It is small but the pages provide plenty of space for writing.

6. LIHIT LAB. Refillable Notebook (Journal), Lined Paper, 9.9 x 7.3 inches, Orange

The LIHIT LAB Refillable Notebook is refillable and makes it easy to transfer the pages. It has ring binding that keeps your pages secure and pops open when you are ready to add or remove pages.

The paper is durable and very white. Use your favorite markers, pens and washi tape to personalize the inside of your notebook.

What Consumers Are Saying

Several people talked about the paper color. They like that it is bright white so that you can use almost any pen or marker color.

Other people talked about the paper being refillable. This makes it an eco-friendly notebook.

Summary

The cover is strong and comes in a variety of colors. It has good binding that does not let your pages fall out, keeping your information protected.

7. Life Noble Notes Bound On Side Stitched Notebooks: 6 in. x 8 in.

The Life Noble Bound Notebook is handmade and uses high-quality paper. This allows you to use multiple markers and pens without the ink bleeding through.

Due to the stitch binding, it lies flat when you open it. This ensures that you are not wasting any paper space when you are using the notebook. It is a good choice for note-taking in class and for journaling purposes.

What Consumers Are Saying

This notebook allows you to write edge to edge, according to several reviewers. Because of this, you note wasting any paper.

Many people said that they like the cream color of the pages. They said that it is easier on the eyes.

Summary

This notebook is fun and easy to use. The pages are simple, allowing you to customize the notebook to your needs.

8. Apica Premium C.D. Notebook – A5-7 mm Rule – 96 Sheets

The Apica Premium CD Notebook is small and simple. You can use it to record your thoughts on-the-go or for journaling purposes. There are plenty of pages so that you will not run out of writing space quickly.

The paper quality is high, letting you use markers and fountain pens without the ink bleeding through. It has a strong cover that prevents damage to the pages inside.

What Consumers Are Saying

Several people talked about the cover. They said that it is very thick and durable.

Other people mentioned the pages. They stated that they are smooth and easy to write on.

Summary

This notebook is small, allowing you to carry it around easy. It has a durable cover that protects the inner pages against moisture and other damage.

9. (Made in Japan) Roruban Pocket Memo112×138mm (Silver)

The Roruban Pocket Memo Notebook is compact and easy to carry around. You can put it in either a purse or a backpack.

The spiral binding lets you write edge to edge on each sheet of paper. This notebook has more pages that many similar notebooks.

Use markers and pens on the paper. You do not have to worry about excessive bleeding. The cover is strong so that it will not tear or rip when you are carrying this notebook with you.

What Consumers Are Saying

Multiple customers talked about binding. They said that it allows you to write flat.

Other people mentioned the cover. It is hardy, so it will not be easily damaged when you carry it around a lot.

Summary

These Japanese notebooks are durable, and you can use them for a variety of applications. The spiral binding and high-quality paper make them a great choice for classes or journaling.

10. MUJI Notebook A5 6mm Rule 30sheets – Pack of 5books [5colors Binding]

The MUJI notebook has a cardboard-like cover, making them ideal for customization. You can use a variety of markers and pens to personalize your notebook for journaling or each class.

The paper allows you to use multiple pens and markers so that you can display the information in the notebook in a way that best fits your needs. Due to the high-quality binding, you do not have to worry about pages coming loose.

What Consumers Are Saying

Multiple people said that the paper is thick, and you can use multiple pen types.

Other reviewers talked about the cover. You can write or draw on it to customize your notebooks.

Summary

This is one of the best Japanese stationary brands. They are known for creating high-quality products, including these notebooks. These notebooks are versatile and ideal for a variety of uses.

Conclusion

Now you have a viable list of the best Japanese notebooks. Think about what you will use it for and how often you plan to use it. This information will help you to narrow down the list of viable notebooks.

If you plan to use it for taking notes in class, a standard size is a good choice because you can get more use out of each page. However, you can go a little smaller if you are going to use it for journaling. A smaller notebook is easier to carry around so that you can journal no matter where you are.

Since these notebooks are versatile, it is not difficult to find a viable option. The next thing to do is to narrow down your list to one, buy the notebook and start using it.