10 Office supplies only available in Japan
When it comes to office supplies, few countries do it better than Japan. Japanese stationery brands have a unique talent for rethinking everyday tools—taking something ordinary and refining it until it feels quietly brilliant.
Rather than adding unnecessary complexity, Japanese office supplies focus on efficiency, precision, and thoughtful design. Many of these tools solve small but familiar problems you may not even realize you have—until you use them.
Below are 10 Japanese office supplies that stand out for their innovation, practicality, and design—each one a clever upgrade to something you probably already use.
- KOKUYO Harinacs Stapleless Stapler
- MIDORI Aluminum Multi Rulers
- TOMBOW Mono Zero Eraser
- KOKUYO Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebook
- Themed Erasers by IWAKO
- Quality Japanese Pens
- Japanese Notebooks
- Japanese Masking Tapes
- Kokuyo Beetle Tip Dual Color Highlighter
- SUNSTAR Stickyle Portable Scissors (Compact Type)
KOKUYO Harinacs Staple-less Stapler
The Kokuyo Harinacs Stapleless Stapler binds paper without metal staples, making it both eco-friendly and practical. Instead of piercing paper with staples, it cleverly folds and locks sheets together.
Available in 5-sheet and 10-sheet versions, it keeps documents flat and easy to recycle. If you ever need to separate pages, a quick rub with a pen cap loosens the binding.
This is a perfect example of Japanese design philosophy: simple, effective, and quietly sustainable.
MIDORI Aluminum Multi Rulers
At first glance, this looks like a compact 15 cm ruler—but it unfolds into a 30 cm ruler with built-in angle guides.
Made from lightweight aluminum, the Midori Aluminum Multi Ruler includes
- precise straight edges
- a durable, portable design
It’s especially useful for students, designers, and anyone who enjoys clean layouts and accurate measurements without carrying bulky tools.
If you’re not a fan of aluminum rulers, you may prefer the MIDORI Pastel Foldable Ruler (30 cm). It’s lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for school, journaling, or craft projects, and it also includes angle measurements up to 180°.
TOMBOW Mono Zero Eraser
If precision matters, the Tombow Mono Zero Eraser is a must-have.
Designed like a pen, it features an ultra-fine eraser tip that extends as needed—so you erase only what you intend to. It’s ideal for:
- detailed drawings
- technical notes
- planners and diagrams
The eraser is refillable, making it both economical and long-lasting. Once you use one, standard block erasers feel surprisingly clumsy.
If you prefer erasers that are long and slim rather than the traditional rectangular block, you may also enjoy the SUNSTAR Flat Long Eraser. Its flat, elongated shape is designed for precise control, making it especially useful for erasing small or stubborn mistakes that tend to hide between lines.
KOKUYO Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebook
This notebook solves a problem many people don’t realize they have: fixed notebook size.
The Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder allows you to add, remove, or rearrange pages freely. You can:
- mix ruled, dotted, and grid paper
- expand or slim down your notebook as needed
- reuse the same cover for years
Available in several translucent colors, it’s popular with students and professionals alike—and reduces waste by design.
Themed Erasers by IWAKO
IWAKO erasers turn something mundane into something delightful.
Made in Japan, these erasers are shaped like tiny, highly detailed objects—animals, food, vehicles, and even full bento boxes. Many are designed as small puzzle pieces that come apart and reassemble.
They’re fully functional, eco-friendly, and make fantastic desk decorations or gifts. Mistakes feel a little less serious when you’re erasing them with a sushi-shaped eraser.
Quality Japanese Pens
If you haven’t tried a Japanese pen yet, you’re truly missing out. Japanese pen makers are known for refining ink flow, balance, and writing comfort down to the smallest detail—resulting in pens that feel effortless to use.
The Jetstream series is a standout for everyday writing. Its low-viscosity ink combines the smoothness of gel with the quick-drying performance of ballpoint ink, making it ideal for fast note-taking without smudging.
The Uni-ball ONE is loved for its rich, deep ink color and clean lines. It offers excellent readability and a steady writing feel, making it a favorite for journaling, planners, and tidy handwriting.
For those who value calm, distraction-free writing, the Zebra blen is designed to reduce vibration while writing. Its balanced body and quiet click mechanism create a surprisingly smooth and stable experience—perfect for long writing sessions.
Together, these pens show why Japanese writing tools are trusted by students, professionals, and stationery lovers alike.
Learn more about the 8 Best Japanese Pens that we introduced in another blog.
Japanese Notebooks
Japanese notebooks are designed to celebrate the pure joy of writing—and the Midori MD Notebook A6 is a perfect example of this philosophy.
Crafted in Japan with meticulous care, the MD Notebook uses Midori’s signature MD Paper, slightly textured to offer just the right amount of feedback as your pen glides across the page. You may even notice a soft whisper of sound as you write—a quiet, satisfying reminder that your thoughts are taking shape. (This refers to the original version of the notebook, not the 2023 renewal edition.)
Its no-cover design isn’t a compromise—it’s an invitation. By removing unnecessary layers, the notebook lets you experience the materials in their most natural state. Thanks to its thread binding, the MD Notebook opens completely flat, making every page comfortable and effortless to use.
A quiet companion for writing, sketching, and everyday musings, this notebook is loved by those who value simplicity, tactility, and intentional design.
Japanese Masking Tapes
When it comes to sticking things together, Japanese Tapes are in a league of their own. The MT Washi Tape is a prime example. It is the original brand and creator of the washi tape which are basically colorful masking tapes. Washi tapes are available in a zillion colors and patterns. It is super useful when decorating your journal or adding a splash of color to your notes. You can also use it to decorate your furniture and room.
KOKUYO Beetle Tip Dual Color Highlighter
This clever highlighter lets you switch between two colors in a single pen.
With soft, readable tones, it’s perfect for:
- color-coding notes
- organizing information
- highlighting without overwhelming the page
It’s a small upgrade that makes reviewing notes noticeably easier.
SUNSTAR Stickyle Portable Scissors (Compact Type)
Snip in style—anytime, anywhere. The SUNSTAR Stickyle Portable Scissors are slim, pen-shaped scissors designed to slip neatly into your pencil case or bag, making them perfect for on-the-go use.
Lightweight and compact, they’re ideal for quick crafts, gift wrapping, trimming washi tape, or journal time. The snap-on cap keeps the blades safely covered, so you can carry them with confidence without worrying about damage or accidents.
Practical, portable, and thoughtfully designed, these scissors are a great example of how Japanese stationery turns everyday tools into something quietly clever—and genuinely useful.
Why Japanese Office Supplies Stand Out
Each of these tools reflects Japan’s dedication to:
- thoughtful problem-solving
- durability
- efficiency
- subtle, functional beauty
They don’t shout for attention—but once you use them, they quietly become essentials.
If you’re looking to upgrade your workspace with high-quality Japanese office supplies, you can explore a curated selection at the ZenPop Stationery Store.
