The 10 most expensive Japanese Fountain Pens

Japanese companies create some of the best quality pens in the world, but have you ever wondered what the most expensive Japanese pens are? Well, there are a lot of them, and in this article, we will cover pens from the cheapest to the most expensive. When it comes to Japanese pens, it's not just about writing; it's about centuries-old skills, attention to detail, and creating pens that are more than tools – they're works of art. 

The pen world in Japan is diverse, ranging from pens celebrating historical events to those inspired by nature. Limited editions, made in small batches, make them extra special for collectors and fans. The pens on this list are some of the best Japanese fountain pens in existence. Join us on a journey where we unravel the stories behind these pens, exploring the art, culture, and innovation that make expensive Japanese pens more than just writing tools.

• 1. PILOT CUSTOM HERITAGE SE
• 2. PLATINUM #3776 CENTURY
• 3. NAKAYA PORTABLE CIGAR TANEMURI
• 4. SAILOR KING OF PENS PRO GEAR
• 5. TACCIA KAGA-WAJIMA LE COLLECTION
• 6. TOHMA KUMATAKA 55 SPORT
• 7. TACCIA MIYABI EMPRESS WINTER BREATH URUSHI FOUNTAIN PEN
• 8. PILOT NAMIKI YUKARI ROYALE COLLECTION
• 9. SAILOR THE KING OF PENS 'BATTLE OF GANRYU-JIMA
• 10. PILOT NAMIKI EMPEROR COLLECTION FOUNTAIN PENS

PILOT CUSTOM HERITAGE SE - $220

Pilot is one of Japan’s best pen companies, with some of the best Japanese Pilot Pen collections that can be both affordable and expensive. This pen is special because each piece has a unique marble design. The name SE means seul, which is a French word for “one and only,” so the pen literally embodies it. With a 14-karat gold nib, this pen delivers a smooth and precise writing experience. The resin body is available in 5 different colors, adding a touch of understated elegance. The barrel is just thick enough to feel comfortable in any type of hand. There is also a ballpoint pen version of this pen for half the price. With the price, it stands as an affordable gateway into the world of Japanese luxury pens.

PLATINUM #3776 CENTURY - $250 - $450 

The platinum 3776-century pen has a 14-karat gold nib, and it comes in various fun finishes like the black and gold trim finish, transparent barrels, Urushi Maki-e versions, and limited editions like the shape of a heart "Ivoire" version displayed above. The simpler designs cost less, while the latter pen costs around $450. 

The breather hole on the nib is heart-shaped, and the crystals inside the cap of the pen have two rhodium-plated gold hearts. The cap also prevents the ink from drying using special technology. You can choose from extra fine to medium nib sizes. If you are in the market for something special, then this is the pen for you because there are only 2000 pieces in existence. For a limited edition pen, it is way cheaper than others. 

NAKAYA PORTABLE CIGAR TANEMURI - $650 - $700

Nakaya company is made up of retired craftsmen from the Platinum pen company. These artisans create hand-made pens to sell and display only by order, so you’ll have to wait for a little while to get your pen. Because Nakaya pens are made by artisans who have reached the height of their careers, you can definitely expect high-quality pens. The pen nib is a 14k gold one, and it flows smoothly. The cigar tenemuri series comes in different colors at the cost of $650, if you want a rhodium-plated nib, the price goes up to $700. It is a light pen with a comfortable grip. If you’re a pen addict, you’ll definitely enjoy this piece of art.

SAILOR KING OF PENS PRO GEAR -$650 - $900

The Sailor King of Pen series features luxury fountain pens that are made with high-quality materials. The professional gear pens are one of the cheapest in the series. Although the original design is the classic gold and black or silver and black barrel, the company has released fancier, colorful, translucent versions that are priced similarly. 

What stands out about the pro gear KOP pen is the size of the nib. The huge nibs come in 14k gold or 21k gold, with the latter being the standard size and the former being the slim version. The barrel diameter is a bit larger than regular ones, but it is a statement piece that reflects an appreciation for craftsmanship. 

TACCIA KAGA-WAJIMA LE COLLECTION - $1000 

Taccia is one of the newest Japanese pen companies that was founded in 2003. The aim of the company is to create high-quality affordable Japanese fountain pens, so their pen nibs are made from Sailor. The Kaga Wajima Le collection was inspired by the Kaga domain during the Edo period in Japan. It was a small area ruled by samurais that grew to be one of the richest in Japan. With unique patterns made using urushi lacquer processes that were popular in the Kaga region, this pen tries to embody the traditions of the place. This Japanese luxury fountain pen comes in 5 barrel designs that represent a season, and each design is limited to only 50 pieces, which is why it is expensive.

TOHMA KUMATAKA 55 SPORT - $1200 

Tohma Pen Company is actually an independent handmade Japanese fountain pen company run by Tohma-san, who makes the most unique-looking pens. You can only order pens a few times yearly, and it may take up to 8 months to get your order. What people love about his pens are the nibs, which are 18k gold. They are also emperor-sized nibs that are not just functional; they are a piece of art. The barrel has a double structure to improve heat insulation. In pictures, these pens look like small pocket pens, but they are large-sized fountain pens. At $1200, it may seem like an expensive fountain pen, but when you consider that it is hand-made and only available to a few people yearly, then you’ll realize that it's worth every penny.  

TACCIA MIYABI EMPRESS WINTER BREATH URUSHI FOUNTAIN PEN - $2000 - $2500

There are expensive Japanese fountain pens that don’t look expensive because of their simple designs, but this one is the complete opposite with its unique barrel design. You can just tell that it is an expensive pen with its large 18k gold nib and ebonite body. It is a limited edition Japanese pen with only 288 pieces worldwide. It takes several months to complete, but it is a masterpiece you won’t regret waiting for. 

PILOT NAMIKI YUKARI ROYALE COLLECTION - $1600 - $7000

Anyone who knows luxury Japanese pens would be familiar with the Pilot Namiki pen collections. Namiki pens feature the use of the ancient Japanese art - maki-e to decorate the pen barrel by sprinkling gold dust during the process. Artists paint intricate scenes on the pen barrel and sign their unique signatures on it. The pen nibs are also specially designed by the company to meet the highest standards. The Yukari Royale collection is inspired by connections between people and features graceful motifs on the pen. The patterns on each pen are unique, and it has an 18k gold nib. The one in the picture above is called the Night Scene of Pavilion, and it costs close to $6000. There are plain, unpainted versions of the pen, which is cheaper. 

SAILOR THE KING OF PENS 'BATTLE OF GANRYU-JIMA' FOUNTAIN PEN - $7000 - $9000

Imagine having battle scenes drawn on your custom pen. Pretty cool, right? The Sailor King of Pens 'Battle of Ganryu-Jima' Fountain Pen is a limited edition masterpiece that pays homage to historical events, creating a pen that is both visually stunning and culturally significant. The Japanese pen is designed with the maki-e method, and there are only 33 pieces of this beauty available worldwide. The nib is 21k gold, and it has the Sailor logo inscribed on it. 

PILOT NAMIKI EMPEROR COLLECTION FOUNTAIN PENS - $8000 - $16000

A Namiki emperor fountain pen represents the pen grail for many pen lovers in the world. At the zenith of luxury, the Pilot Namiki Emperor Collection Fountain Pens stand as true kings of Japanese penmanship. These pens have large gold nibs, so much so that large nib fountain pens are called emperor-sized nibs. Even the nib design looks regal when you take a closer look.

The exquisite Maki-e artistry adorns the pen with beautiful regal Japanese motifs that feature mythical Japanese creatures and are more complicated than the Yubari Royale ones. Of course, there are cheaper undecorated versions, but if you want the detailed Namiki emperor, it’ll definitely put a dent in your pocket. 

Have you been looking to buy high-quality Japanese stationery? Check out our ZenPop stationery store for the best deals. We may not offer the most expensive Japanese pens, but you can get high-quality variations for affordable prices.

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