The 8 Best Japanese Planners

With many people multitasking because of their responsibilities, staying organized has never been more important. Yes, there are digital apps to help you organize your day, but nothing beats good old planners, and Japanese planners are on a whole different level. 

Japanese stationery is generally used worldwide because of its top-notch designs and attention to detail. Everything from Japanese pencils, pens, stickers, and art supplies is sought after by students, artists, and professionals alike. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Japanese planners, exploring their key features, benefits, and how they can change your organizational game. Let's get started!

• 1. Hobonichi Techo
• 2. Kokuyo Jibun Techo
• 3. Midori MD Planner
• 4. Muji Planner
• 5. Midori Traveler's Notebook
• 6. Mark's EDiT Weekly Planner
• 7. Stalogy Editor Series 365 Notebook
• 8. Kokuyo Campus Diary

What are the types of planners

Planners can come in different forms. Before you get yours, it is best to consider the type and features of the planner so that it will do exactly what you want it to do. These are the different features of planners.

Daily Planners

These planners provide a page daily, allowing you to schedule your appointments and notes in detail. If you run a business or have a busy schedule, this is your best planner. 

Weekly Planners

Weekly planners typically feature a two-page spread for each week. Where day planners offer an hourly breakdown of your day, weekly planner gives enough space to write a few reminders. If you want a broader view of your schedule, it will help you plan your week in advance.

Monthly Planners

Monthly planners focus on providing a big-picture view of your month. They allow you to jot down important events, deadlines, and milestones like birthdays and picnics. Monthly planners are useful for people who want to track long-term goals and monthly commitments.

Dated Planners

As the name implies, dated planners will specify the exact date and year. It is great for people who already love dated journals, and it is very specific. The only downside is that you can only use it for the corresponding year.

Undated Planners

Undated planners provide flexibility as they do not have pre-printed dates. Instead, they have blank spaces for you to fill in the dates as needed. Undated planners allow you to use them at any time of the year and are suitable for individuals with irregular schedules.

8 Best Japanese Planners to Buy

Hobonichi Techo

The Hobonichi Techo is a renowned planner known for its high-quality paper, thoughtful layouts, and attention to detail. The first version of this amazing planner was released in 2001, and only 12000 copies were published with only 4 cover types. In 2022, 720,000 planners were published with 109 different types of covers and 15 book types. The company prides itself on evolving to meet the demands of the users. 

They offer various sizes and layouts of planners, including daily, weekly, monthly, dated, and updated options. The planner uses graph paper designs, and it has a mini calendar and daily quotes written on each page. Another special feature is the Tomoe River paper used which is very light and allows the journal to be compact even with many pages.

Kokuyo Jibun Techo

Jibun Techo is a comprehensive planner that integrates various sections, including monthly, weekly, and daily pages, along with goal-setting and habit-tracking sections. The planner has thin paper, and it lays at a flat angle for easy note-taking. The best part is that it incorporates a functional design, grid layouts, and space for reflections, making it suitable for those seeking a holistic planning experience.

It comes in three forms; diary, life, and idea planner with unique designs. IDEA is a grid notebook that can be used for journaling, while LIFE is an amazing journal with pages like password lists, family trees, anniversaries, personal mottos, and life plans. Lastly, DIARY is a dated planner that comes in daily or weekly versions.

Midori MD Planner

The Midori MD Planner had to make it to this list because it gives you creative freedom. It's a minimalist design, and high-quality paper makes it perfect for doodlers. The monthly layout is designed simply, and the planner gives a lot of writing space for you to take notes. While it does not have cool features, its simplicity makes it high-quality.

Muji Planner

Muji is one of the biggest Japanese stationery manufacturers with loads of products. The Muji Planner also has the minimalist aesthetic that the brand is known for. It has a clean and simple design with monthly and weekly spreads. 

The Muji Planner also comes in different sizes, and it is currently made using recycled paper, so you are saving the environment at the same time too. Also, it is the cheapest planner on this list.

Midori Traveler's Notebook

As the name implies, Traveler's Notebook is a compact planner, so if you are looking for something on the large side, this is not for you. It is perfect for travelers, and the planner uses high-quality paper that can withstand fountain pen ink. The leather cover holds multiple inserts, such as weekly or monthly calendars, cards, and more. The Traveler's Notebook is loved for its flexibility and adaptability to individual needs.

Mark's EDiT Weekly Planner

This planner is already a winner because it won stationery of the year 2012 Grand Prix. Mark's EDiT Weekly Planner is a compact planner designed for versatility. There is the weekly version and daily version. There are even details like the weekly left and weekly vertical versions for you to choose from.

The planner includes additional sections for goal setting, note-taking, and important contacts. Its compact size makes it convenient for on-the-go planning. It comes in many beautiful cover colors and designs as well.

Stalogy Editor Series 365 Notebook

Stalogy offers Editor's Series planners that are highly regarded for their sleek design and layouts. These planners have individual pages dedicated to each day, making a full yearly planner. The high-quality paper provides a pleasant writing experience with all types of inks, and it has subtle grid lines that are easy on the eyes to aid in cleaner handwriting.

Kokuyo Campus Diary

The Kokuyo Campus Diary is a popular choice among students because it was made for them. It offers dedicated sections for managing class schedules, assignments, and extracurricular activities. The planner caters specifically to the needs of students, so it is not versatile, but it is a great find.

Japanese planners offer a unique blend of organization, productivity, and mindfulness. By adding a Japanese planner into your daily routine, you can unlock your full potential, leading a more organized, intentional, and fulfilling life. 

Have you been looking to buy some high-quality Japanese Planners? You can check out our ZenPop stationery store for the best deals from Japan. 

This article was originally written by our freelance writer Umm-Kulthum Abdulkareem and edited by us.