What are the best Japanese stationery pens in 2025?

Finding the right pen for you is no easy ordeal. With the variety of pen tips, ink formulas, and colors, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of selection, especially when it comes to the world of Japanese stationery.

Japan is famous for its quality stationery and a wide choice of unique pens for all kinds of uses. Why are Japanese pens so good? They are reliable, use quality ink, have stable pen tips, and offer a nice hand balance. Japanese pens are used by students and workers alike and offer unique traits for each situation.

Today we’re going to show you some of the best pens from Japan that are definitely worth checking out if you’re a planner addict, a stationery fiend, or just love collecting different kinds of pens. Maybe you can find your best pen!

Here are the 5 best Japanese stationery pens:

• Uni Jetstream
• Zebra Sarasa Clip
• Pentel EnerGel Infree
• Pilot Hi-Tec C
• Kokuyo ME Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen

Uni Jetstream

The Uni Jetstream is one of those pens that seems to win everyone over—not with flashy features, but with quiet reliability and pure writing comfort. It's the pen you reach for without thinking, and maybe never give back once you've lent it out.

What makes it special is its hybrid ink technology, blending the smooth glide of gel ink with the fast-drying performance of a ballpoint. The result is a writing experience that’s both silky and smudge-free, even for left-handed writers or fast note-takers. It starts writing instantly and doesn’t require pressure—ideal for long meetings, study sessions, or daily journaling.

Available in a range of tip sizes (0.38mm to 1.0mm) and styles—from basic singles to multi-color barrels—the Jetstream adapts easily to your preferences. There's a reason it's a favorite among professionals, students, and stationery fans in Japan and beyond: it just works beautifully, every single time.

Zebra Sarasa Clip

If you love having smooth gel inks that don’t skip, the Zebra Sarasa Clip pens are for you. While the pens themselves aren’t particularly expensive, the ink is very high quality and the pen build is relatively comfortable for most users, with a rubber grip near the front of the pen where you can rest your fingers during long writing sessions. It’s a very basic gel pen with a very budget price point, so you can collect as many colors as you need for your planner designs or note taking. 

The great thing about the Zebra Sarasa Clip is that the ink never skips or builds up, and provides a very clear and clean writing experience every time. In addition to the variety of colors, Zebra has also created spin-off lines of their popular Sarasa ink. For left-handed writers who tend to smudge gel inks, we recommend the Zebra Sarasa Dry, which has a quick drying formula that will never smudge. If you tend to highlight over your notes, they also have the Zebra Sarasa Mark-on available, which is specially formulated not to bleed or smudge under highlighter ink. 

If you’re looking for a similar experience but with a thinner tip, we also recommend the Pilot Juice pens, which have similar build and great ink flow and come in a 0.38 size. 

Pentel EnerGel Infree

All stationery addicts have probably had a Muji phase, and for good reason. If you’re really into clean, minimalist aesthetics, Muji is definitely the place to go. They carry a lot of high quality products at a reasonable price point, especially if you have a store near you to go to. Their gel ink pens come in a variety of colors which you can buy individually if you just want to stick to a single theme, or in bulk if you want to use all the colors of the rainbow. The tips come in 0.38 sizes, and have a small amount of scratch against the paper if you like the textured feeling. They also have a clicky gel pen with a 0.5 tip size if you prefer that, and a 0.7 version if you tend to have bigger or thicker handwriting.

They write well on any type of paper, and look great in your pencil case or on your desk because of their minimalist design. The clear barrel also helps see what color ink is inside. The best part about the Muji gel pens is they are easy to refill too. Muji specifically designs their refills so that they will be compatible with most of their pen bodies, and adjusts the pricing so that it’s more worth it to replace the refill than get a whole new pen– reducing the amount of plastic waste, too. 

Pilot Hi-Tec C

The Pilot Hi-Tec C is a cult favorite for anyone who loves fine tip gel pens. It’s known for having just the perfect amount of “scratchiness” for those who want to have some form of feedback while writing. Since the tip size can go as small as 0.25, for those who have very small and fine handwriting, the Hi-Tec C is a perfect fit. 

Since its launch in 1994, the Hi-Tec C has developed a following both in Japan and abroad (known as the G-Tec in some parts of the world). The needlepoint tip contains a very small rotating ball, which allows the ink to flow freely from the tip. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your Hi-Tec is likely to bleed. The ink is crisp and clear and still resists any bleeding, and is smudge-proof after a few seconds of drying. 

You can also get a sturdier body for your pen by upgrading to the Pilot Coleto multi-pen bodies, which can support several of the Hi-Tec C refills in many different tip sizes and colors, as well as mechanical pencils and erasers if you want to create a more multifunctional pen. 

Kokuyo ME Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen

The Kokuyo ME Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen might not be the loudest in the lineup, but it’s quietly one of the best. Designed for those who appreciate subtlety and function in equal measure, this pen offers a writing experience that feels clean, calm, and consistent.

Kokuyo’s gel ink flows effortlessly and dries quickly, leaving behind crisp, even lines—no smudging, no ink pooling. It’s ideal for daily journaling, structured note-taking, or any situation where clarity matters. The needle-point tip (available in both 0.38mm and 0.5mm) lets you write with precision without sacrificing smoothness.

With its soft matte finish and gently tinted barrel, the ME series brings a touch of sophistication to your pen case. The muted colors—think smoky blue, sand beige, and soft green—offer a modern, minimal aesthetic that blends beautifully with your other stationery. And the ergonomic grip section makes it a pleasure to hold, even during long writing sessions.

Choosing the Right Pen for You

With so many excellent options available, selecting the best pen comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Consider the following factors:

• Writing Purpose: Are you taking notes, creating art, or drafting documents?
• Ink Type: Do you prefer gel, ballpoint, or fountain pen ink?
• Tip Size: Fine tips offer precision, while broader tips provide bold lines.
• Grip Comfort: Ensure the pen feels comfortable during extended use.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Choose a design that resonates with your personal style.

Remember, the best pen is the one that feels right in your hand and meets your writing needs. Don't hesitate to try different pens to discover which one suits you best.

Feeling inspired to find your perfect pen?

Try on our Pen Box or take a peek at our store to explore thoughtfully curated pens, notebooks, and more—each one sent with care from Japan to your desk.