Best Japanese Journal Accessories & Stencils
If you love journaling, you probably already know this: the right tools quietly shape how often and how joyfully you write.
Japanese journal accessories are designed with intention. Rather than being flashy or overwhelming, they focus on clarity, balance, and ease of use. If you journal regularly, you may have noticed that Japanese stationery quietly supports real habits—daily notes, reflections, planning, and small creative moments—without ever getting in the way.
In this guide, we’re focusing only on Japanese-made journal accessories and templates—tools that are thoughtfully designed, durable, and genuinely helpful for everyday journaling.
What Are Journal Stencils, Accessories & Templates?
source: MIDORI
Journal templates and accessories are tools that help you structure pages, add consistency, and gently guide your layouts. These include:
- clip rulers
- bookmarks
- calendar templates
- motif and drawing templates
Japanese brands approach these tools differently. Instead of over-decorating, they emphasize:
- calm design
- practical proportions
- intuitive use
That’s why Japanese journal tools feel so natural to use—you don’t have to think too hard, they simply fit into your routine.
Best Japanese Journal Accessories & Stencils
1. MIDORI Clip Ruler & Clip Book Marker
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MIDORI Clip Ruler
source: MIDORI
- Slim metal ruler that clips directly onto your notebook
- Measures in millimeters and centimeters
- Doubles as a page marker
- Designed to stay with your journal at all times
It helps creating clean margins, gentle dividers, and subtle structure without breaking the flow of writing.
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MIDORI Clip Book Marker
source: MIDORI
- Minimal metal bookmark (only 0.15mm thick) that clips securely
- Keeps your current page easy to find
- Can also hold thin templates or reference cards
Small tools, big difference—especially if you journal consistently.
Best for: daily journaling, planners, reflection logs, minimalist layouts
2. MIDORI Calendar & Diary + Motif Template
For journalers who enjoy a blend of structure and freedom, this Midori combination is incredibly satisfying.
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MIDORI CalendarTemplate
source: MIDORI
- Simple calendar and diary layouts
- Clean spacing that feels calm, not crowded
- Ideal for monthly planning, memory keeping, and reflections
- Encourages slow, intentional writing
Personally, Midori diaries make me want to write more thoughtfully. There’s a quiet rhythm to the pages that invites you to slow down.
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MIDORI Motif Template
source: MIDORI
- Reusable template for icons, shapes, and motifs
- Helps keep layouts consistent without freehand drawing
- Designed to pair beautifully with any notebooks and planners
- Portable, thin and durable
Perfect if you like gentle decoration but still want your pages to feel clean and cohesive.
Best for: structured journaling, memory keeping, creative planning
3. Mastemplate Animal by Kutsuwa (Award Winner of Bungu Joshi Award)
This is one of those tools that looks playful—but turns out to be surprisingly practical. This is why it won the Bungu Joshi Award in 2023!
source: bungujoshi.com/award/history
The Mastemplate Animal by Kutsuwa is a multi-award-winning Japanese stationery item, and it earns that reputation easily.
- Makes it easy to draw animal characters
- Includes guides for different items and dotted lines
- Allows endless variations from one template
- Can also be used to cut washi tape into custom edges
Perfect for mood logs, themed pages, or light illustrations when words alone don’t feel enough. It speeds things up without killing creativity.
Best for: creative journaling, mood tracking, themed spreads, washi lovers
This item can be found in the ZenPop Mangaka Stationery Box.
How to Use Journal Templates & Accessories Effectively
From experience, here’s what works best:
- Decide the purpose of the page first (reflection, planning, memory)
- Use rulers or clip tools to gently define structure
- Add templates for repeated elements or small motifs
- Keep decoration intentional—less often feels more
- Let the tools support your writing, not dominate it (see what is the 10 Must Have Supplies for Journaling)
Japanese journal accessories shine when used quietly and consistently.
A Gentle Journaling Suggestion: ZenPop Mangaka Stationery Box
If you’re building a journaling setup from scratch—or want to refresh your tools—the ZenPop Mangaka Stationery Box is a thoughtful place to start.
It includes:
- IROHA notebook: Fill in 100 pages of thick high quality paper allowing for your juiciest markers to shine.
- ZEBRA Mildliner Brush Mild Brown Color: The must-have items for every jouralling lover.
- KURETAKE ZIG CARTOONIST MANGAKA BLACK3VⅡ: Specifically made for drawing Manga. Its ink is resistant to water, alcohol, it is smudge proof and handles eraser friction like a champ
- MINDWAVE Stickers and Masking Tape: Perfect for decorating the journal.
- and a practical journal stencil from KUTSUWA, the Mastemplate Animal: Speed up and improve your journaling processes.
It works beautifully as a ready-to-use journaling kit, especially if you enjoy combining structure with creativity without overthinking every tool.
Why These Small Tools Matter
Journaling isn’t about perfect pages or having the “right” system. It’s about showing up—sometimes with clear plans, sometimes with messy thoughts, sometimes just to enjoy the feeling of pen on paper.
Japanese journal accessories work so well because they respect that process. They don’t ask for attention; they quietly support it. A slim Midori clip ruler keeps your lines steady. A small template saves time when your energy is low. A playful motif adds just enough joy to make you want to open your notebook again tomorrow.
If you’re looking for thoughtfully curated Japanese stationery, you can explore a selection at the ZenPop Stationery Store.
