What is a Hobonichi Techo?

The Hobonichi Techo is a Life Book that reflects the lifestyle of each user with its flexible layout. Over a million users world wide use this Life Book annually!

Mini vocabulary lesson:

Hobonichi (ho-bo-nee-chee) - a popular Japanese media company and lifestyle brand that created the Hobonichi Techo.

Techo (teh-choh) - Japanese for planner or notebook.

Kaigi (kie-ghee) - Japanese word for meeting or discussion. Used alongside Techo to form Techo Kaigi which is a planner meeting

Tomoe River Paper

This well-known for being extra thin and light yet highly resistant to bleeding and feathering. Great for fountain-pen writers and having a book with a lot of pages without the bulk. Also lies flat!

Pei's thoughts: I LOVE this paper type. It is a dream to write on. Don't be afraid of how thin the paper is, a pencil board under solves the problem. 

Hobonichi Techo Types

Original

Exactly what it means! The original designed hobonichi that is in a portable A6 size. It is meant for every day carry and use. This life book was the first introduced by Hobonichi 23 years ago. One page per day book:  A daily page layout encourages you to write, document and journal once a day. The original does not come with a cover. 

Pei's thoughts: This is a great size for someone to use as an every day journal. I know some might find it too small to use as a daily planner because of it's page size. Personally this size is the lowest on my personal use ranking.

HON A6 

I like to think of it as a dressed up Original! the exact same inner pages, layouts and spreads but with a designed hardcover. Every year, Hobonichi partners with different artists and create special cover designs. 

Pei's thoughts: Similar to the original! The covers of these get me sometimes and I like to think I will use this A6 size but have yet to really get into a rhythm. This is a great size for someone to use as an every day journal. I know some might find it too small to use as a daily planner because of it's page size. Personally this size is the lowest on my personal use ranking.

Cousin

Twice the size of the original as an A5. It also operates as a one page per day book. This comes with the same idea of a daily page lay out but with the added weekly vertical spread. The cousin does not come with a cover. 

Pei's thoughts: I have loved this size as a daily archive journal as well as memory keeping. I have tried it out as a work planner and felt like it was too clunky for that. Being able to get a cover I love and just swap out the book it self is something I love doing. It feels a bit like an "investment" and commitment to choose one cover but also feels less wasteful if that makes sense as I can reuse it year after year. I do have a cover-on-cover (an additional clear cover) that keeps my cover crisp! 

HON A5

Think of it as a dressed up Cousin! the exact same inner pages, layouts and spreads but with a designed hardcover. Every year, Hobonichi partners with different artists and create special cover designs. 

Pei's thoughts: I think this is a great option to the Cousin as it already comes with a hard cover! You cannot beat the very cute collaboration cover designs and it's a good way for you to explore using a Cousin without the investment of a cousin + cover to start! 

Covers

Original and Cousin books are a plain, paper cover. You are supposed to add Hobonichi covers. Your covers are meant to be used year after year as you can just swap out the interior techo.

*Cover on Cover - literally an additional, usually clear sleeve that goes on top of your cover to give it an extra layer of durability.

Pei's thoughts: OMG the cover options are always so good. Since it's a cover meant to be used over and over again, it's important to consider practicality and your own lifestyle to choose one. I think the covers they debut are always classic and timeless. 

Weeks

Their popular slim, wallet- sized planner with a weekly, horizontal layout on one side, and a grid note page on the other. This planner gives you so much flexibility and portability due to the layout and size. The also produce a color series each year and Hobonichi also partners with different artists and create special cover designs. 

*Is also available in MEGA which gives you 219 note pages compared to just 75 in the regular weeks. 

Pei's thoughts: My favorite book by far! After many years (decades) of using and trying out so many different planners, the Weeks is the singular planner I have consistently used on a daily + regular basis. The size is great to always have on me and it's just the right size for me as someone who has SO much to do, to be able to narrow things down since the pages are sized slim. 

5 Year

This techo covers a period of five years with the same date on each page so you can compare a growing collection of entries and enjoy looking back at the years prior. Available in A6 + A5 size. 

Pei's thoughts: I have this in the A6 size and just started this year (2026). It feels less overwhelming because I chose a smaller A6 size. And the sections for each day is about an inch so it feels doable. I have been using it to write down a few daily thoughts/sentences and sometimes will add in a lil picture, sticker or piece of ephemera. I'm looking forward to being able to see how my days were year after year!

How to choose? 

Things to consider when choosing a Hobonichi Techo: interior format, size of book, how you are going to use it! 

Other things to note: Hobonichi also makes exclusive cover designs for speciality stores in Japan as well as Japanese exclusive designs. 

Top Pick:

If you are new to the Hobonichi Tech world, I highly recommend giving the Weeks a try. 

It's a great size so you have no excuse to not use it since you can always have it with you. 

The covers are fun and customizable (if you add a clear cover, you can decorate with stickers etc.) 

I have seen it used so many ways. You can use it domain specific in your life - example: to track all your sewing or art projects. as a meeting/appointment only planner. as a weekly journal. meal planner. fountain pen ink index. and SO much more. The interior layout is SO versatile. 

Happy Hobonichi season :) 

Sources + photos : Hobonichi Techo 2027 Official Website

We celebrated the 5th Stationery Store Day at the shop on August 1st 2026. If you didn't know, Stationery Store Day was founded by Kristina Burkey of Calliope Paperie. I still remember when she told me she had this idea for a day all about stationery stores and shops around the country (and world!)

For the past Stationery Store Days, it has always been one of the highlights of the year for us as a shop as it really brings out so many of y'all who LOVE the shop. And of course it's always such a treat to see who the merch artist of the year will be. Kristina does such a great job collaborating with independent stationery designers to create and dream up the cutest goods just for this special day. 

This year was no different and just when you think there's no way they can top last year's goods, somehow, it always does! 

Some of the fun we have had annually is our costume contest. DIY station. And last year we launched Austin Stationery Club on Stationery Store Day. There are truly no words to what a magical and amazing day it is. And this year was even bigger as even more of you showed up to support us on this day. It was hands down the BEST DAY we've ever had at the shop and while my body was exhausted after, my heart felt so full. 

This year has been a big shift for me personally as I come out of the bubble of having 2 newborns/babies and I am so happy to have the shop (and all of you). It feels nice to feel like myself again both mentally and physically. Which has allowed me to dream up so many exciting things for the shop. And while there has obviously been little bumps in the road, 2026 is shaping up to be a very monumental year for the shop in so many ways. 

Typically the middle of the year has me feeling a little tired and burnt out like most of us but after this year's Stationery Store Day, I honestly feel rejuvenated and eager for the coming months! 

*Giveaway*As a big thank you to all of you, if you read this all the way through and want to get a chance to let me treat you to some stationery, go leave a comment and/or like on our latest 3 posts on Instagram + DM me to let me know you entered! I saved basically 1 of EVERY SSD merch/product and want to gift it to you!!! 

I'll pick a winner by Wednesday, August 19th and notify the winner! 

For more about SSD, you can check out the official Stationery Store Day website and also find a directory of stationery shops in different states and cities! 

GOAL: EXPLORING CUTE (STATIONERY) SHOPS AND EATING DELICIOUS FOODS

A big part of this trip was getting to spend some time exploring and a priority for me was getting to spend an unrushed day in Brooklyn. I ended up making the cute lil zine that's in the photo because I was traveling with a group and didn't want to be the official tour guide. This would allow everyone to move at their own pace, skip places they were not interested in, or linger in places they wanted to! 

My main goal was to visit a list of must-visit local, mostly stationery, shops and buffering in foods along the way. 

We started out the morning with bagels before walking over to Loaf on Paper. This is probably the most anticipated shops for me because I have been dying to visit ever since they opened about a year ago. It's a beautiful, natural light filled space that is a cafe in the front and a stationery shop tucked away in the back. It is the sister shop to Nico Neco in the East Village so I knew it was going to be good! 

MORNING JOURNALING, MATCHA AND WINDOW SHOPPING

We were able to snag a table before ordering some delicious matcha and spent time journaling, sipping on our drink and wandering around the shop in the back. This was possibly a highlight of the day for me. 

Then we walked around the neighborhood and went to Leif. A little gift shop that has a small stationery selection but is mostly home goods. They also happen to be the ones who make the candles we carry in our shop in Austin! 

MoguTable was next and they're known for very cute Japanese kitchen ware. They also have a little selection of stationery. 

Next we popped into Haricot Vert for their cafe and to pick out some charms. They have a really cool upstairs space with plenty of room to hang/journal if you're in the neighborhood. 

A MEAL THAT CHANGED MY LIFE, A MULTIGENERATIONAL TAIWANESE STATIONERY SHOP AND THE NEWEST STATIONERY STORE OPENING

For lunch I wanted to go to Dashi Okume to pick up for dashi packs but also to get one of their fish set lunches. Ever since my last trip to New York several years ago, I knew I wanted to come back for this meal and I am so glad we did. You pick from a few different fresh fish options straight from the market and it is prepared so thoughtfully alongside complementary side dishes. The photo does not do it justice but handsdown top 10 meals I have enjoyed in my life.

Following lunch we made our way to Yoseka - One of the owners grew up in their parent's stationery store in Taiwan and wanted to introduce Asian stationery to the US. I love that they are known for their fountain pen inks. I ended up picking up 2 samplers of their inks and can't wait to use them in my fountain pens. 

Next we ventured to the Park Slope neighborhood to visit the newly opened Mr Boddington Studio. Another stationery brand we have carried in the shop for years that just recently opened a storefront. It is such a vibe in the shop - it feels moody in the very best way and highlights their goods alongside other quality stationery and desk items.  You can even get a glimpse of their wholesale fulfillment in the back of the shop! 

Last but not least we visited two gift shops - Annie's Blue Ribbon and Lockwood. These got on my radar after I met the owners at the Louie Award Judging session on Friday! Both of these are well loved neighborhood shops that have a wide selection of gift items with a bit of stationery as well.  

For the very last bit of the day, I had made reservations at Bonnie's - a Cantonese-America restaurant and it did not disappoint. We ordered as a table and shared different items. It was such a great way to end the day in good company, over conversation and laughter while enjoying good food. 

5 TRAVEL TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR DAY

1. Make a list of places/spots you want to go to.

2. Map out by neighborhood/area.

3. Don't be afraid to go off script and pop into places that catch your eye. 

4. Give yourself time - I like to start the morning there and then end it with dinner before heading back into the city. 

5. Reservations - If there is a restaurant you really want to go to, check ahead of time to see if they take reservations. Relax knowing you’ve got food covered and now you can explore the city!

LIST OF ALL SHOPS VISTED

Loaf on Paper, Nico Neco, Leif, MoguTable, Haricot Vert, Dashi Okume, Yoseka, Mr. Boddington Studio, Annie's Blue Ribbon, Lockwood, Bonnie's

Be sure to bookmark this post for your next trip to Brooklyn, New York! And if you are interested in more places I visited around Manhattan be sure to check out this very extensive blog here. 

Last Fall, I decided that I personally needed to take a trip at least quarterly. As a human who very much loves their alone time, I had forgotten how important it is for my mental and physical health to take a break. I've been basically finding ways to tack on a few extra days on either end of a work related trip. 

To kick off 2026, I had made plans to go to New York in January for a couple of trade shows as well as to judge a greeting card award competition (so fun!). As someone who does not like the cold, I had sworn I would NEVER go to New York in the winter but I suppose never say never because I did in fact go. And it was in fact one of the coldest winters they have had in years, possibly decades. 

Day 1: Arrival, A walk through the city, Dinner with friends

I arrived on a Thursday with no big flight drama and immediately went to my hotel to check in. I have always stayed in the midtown area/Koreatown area as it is close-ish to the Javits (where all the trade shows typically are) I did not have any firm plans until dinner with some friends so I ventured out to lunch and went to a lil sushi spot where I had some really delicious nigiri. I am a big fan of checking out places I just wander by and always make a mental note for spots with good seating options in case I ever come back with my family. On the way there, I smelled the most delicious coffee and knew I would stop back by post lunch. And that was how I discovered the coffee shop I would visit daily during this trip. 

The coffee is 10/10 and the cherry on top is that they are known for their cookies. And if you followed along on Instagram, you saw I legitimately had a cookie a day. They had their version of a black and white cookie but in a chocolate chip cookie form and y'all I cannot even start to explain how good it was. 

The remainder of the afternoon was me just dilly dallying down from midtown to soho while stopping at several local shops along the way before my dinner date with a few friends from the small business group coaching session I was a part of last year. 

New York Day 1 restaurants, cafes, shops: 

Watami Sushi, Culture Espresso, Fishs Eddy, Cha Cha Matcha, Nico Neco, East Village Postal, Rin Tin Tin

Day 2: Louie Judging, My favorite noodles, More exploring

The morning started out with a stop at the bodega on the corner for a bodega bagel. IMO the best bagels are the ones from the local bodega. My go to is a toasted everything with sausage egg and cheese! Of course I made a pitstop. Then I went straight to the Javits to start the judging process - Did you know there is a greeting card award competition? I spent a few hours there and then went to get a late lunch. I have been craving these hand-pulled noodles since I was pregnant with the twins and it was very full circle getting to enjoy the noodles. And yes it was just as good as I remembered. 

I had some time to meander around before dinner plans so I popped into a few shops - had to visit the specialty cheese shop that I order my favorite butter from. A shop with lots of cute toys and blind boxes to get a gift for P. And popped into a new to me spot - a button/trimmings shop that had everything your hearts could desire when it comes to sewing! 

New York Day 2 restaurants, cafes, shops: 

Xian Famous Foods, Pacific Trimmings, An.Mé, Murray's Cheese, Goods for the Study, Bedford Studio and Sugar Fish (not pictured)

Day 3: Self Care Day

Last year, I met a mom at P's school who had a great hair cut. So I asked her who did her hair and she said she goes back to her hair stylist in New York since she used to live there. And I was excited to make an appointment to coincide when I would be in New York. I didn't need anything major or drastic just wanted a cut to soften out my layers and get my bangs trimmed. 

I decided to head to the neighborhood the salon was at to grab coffee and breakfast. Ended up at this coffee shop, again scoped it out for great seating, good coffee and food. 

Post hair appointment I met up with Anna (she decided to take some PTO and come for fun in New York with me) to have lunch. It was SO cold the only thing that felt right was to go find the largest bowl of udon noodles. I think we succeeded since these bowls were HUGE. Look at my A5 Hobonichi Cousin for scale.

The rest of the day consisted of going to FAO Schwartz to find a gift for P and the twins. Did some co-working in a hotel lobby with a friend before going to Chinatown for a headspa + massage appointment and ended with dinner with a few shop owner friends! 

New York Day 3 restaurants, cafes, shops: 

Bumble and Bumble Salon, Kobricks Coffee Co., TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie, FAO Schwartz, Joyse Spa, Muji, Chelsea Market, Grand Central Station (not pictured)

Day 4: Brooklyn Dilly Dally Day

TBA on this post because I genuinely feel my day in Brooklyn deserves it's own post!

Day 5: Trade Show Day

The night before I spent some time while drinking tea to go through the directory of exhibitors and kind of spiraled and realized I may actually need more time to walk the show as there were SO many more vendors I wanted to see than I had anticipated. 

I decided to start at Shoppe Object and mid day switch to the Javits for NYNOW. 

Needless to say it was a blur and I was basically walking the show, chatting with exhibitors from 9am-6pm. I shared a lot more photos on Instagram but here are a few that are non-stationery! I actually find a lot of inspiration from non-stationery booths! 

Overall it was a very good trip, I was out and about all day every day that I didn't even manage a nap. Which if you know me, you know that is the most important part of any trip for me. 

I'm so glad I was able to take this trip and am happy that I have started the year off right with my first quarterly trip! Thanks for following along! 

It seems like a handmade holiday is trending right now and honestly I am here for it! I first made a paper chain for our home during the holidays 2 years ago and loved it so much it’s stayed up in our house every since. 

I love opting for slightly less traditional colors and adding ribbons/bows to jazz it up! 

This year, I wanted to go all out with the decorations at the shop and 100% spent way too much time that I really don’t have on making probably close to 70+ ft of paper chains in varying color combinations. 

An Easy Colorful Handmade Christmas

Please pause a moment to take it all in - she’s a beaut!While I certainly did not invent making paper chains, I have learned quite a bit in the past 2 years and wanted to share some fun tips and tricks with y’all! 

Supplies and Materials for Paper Chains

To start, here are some supplies you will need: construction paper (about 60lb weight seems to be the right weight, any heavier and the chain will be really heavy plus the paper not as malleable to round out), a good stapler (and staples!), a paper cutter and optional, a good tv show to have on in the background. 

Next decide what kind of paper chain you want - the thicker the pieces of paper will give you the “chunky” effect of the chain, thinner but shorter pieces will give you a mini version of the “chunky” chain, and longer pieces will give you the traditional appearance of a paper chain. You can also decide on the color palette as well as combination of colors. 

Color Palettes and Patterns For A Paper Chain

My advice is to make several different types of paper chains for texture and layers in your decor. I also think sticking to 3-5 colors that can be used in different combinations looks the best. 

Some color patterns for your chain include: 

If you are using 3 colors - 1 (is color one), 2 (is color two), 3 (is color three)

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3…. 

1, 1, 1 ,1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1….

For a thicker chain, you are going to want to wrap each piece of the chain around each other tightly. And just keep going, at first it won't look like much but as the chain gets longer you'll get the effect!

Other Tips and Tricks

Some other tips with hanging is using 3M hooks as well as ribbon to loop through and hang your finished chains. Since the paper is fragile and will tear, I find that hanging with ribbon enables you to loop through the chain loop and evenly distribute the weight of the chain. You can then use the same ribbon and add some texture by tying pieces to embellish your chain (this can also help hide and distract from the 3M hook!) 

Paper chains can be hung from the ceiling, on the walls, and even on your tree!Happy paper chain making friends!