I’ve been an avid fan of the Hobonichi Techo for going on 8 years now! (I can’t believe it’s been that long).
As a Nintendo lover, Shigesato Itoi’s MOTHER series and online publications hold a special place in my heart, much like the beloved Hobonichi Techo.
Therefore, I usually go for their MOTHER-based designs, but this year their beautiful, floral Liberty Fabrics design caught my eye, ooh-la-la.
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And before you ask, I don’t have an affiliate link with them or anyone else linked in this post. I just really love this planner.
So, without further ado, I’m extremely excited to show off the newest addition to my growing collection of planners: The Emma and Georgina Liberty Fabrics Weeks.
Join me in explaining and unboxing the Hobonichi Weeks 2024!
What is the "Hobonichi Techo"?
Famous for its smooth Tomoe River Paper*, fun and cheeky designs, high quality, and quirky features, the Hobonichi is beloved by many – and for good reason. If you’ve never heard of Hobonichi Techo or its myriad versions, this half-guide half-unboxing is for you.
Hobonichi Techo 「ほぼにち手帳」literally “almost-daily planner” is a cult classic amongst avid stationery aficionados. Affectionately termed, this Japanese stationery brand name is based on the publication run by Shigesato Itoi himself, Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, quite literally “Almost Daily Itoi Newspaper”.
Itoi writes a blog that varies in topic day-to-day, whose quotes are often found within the planner itself.
With its convenient size and practical design, it’s the perfect vector for bullet journaling, scrapbooking, or just plain keeping track of your to-do list.
Every year, in September, the new designs are released on the Hobonichi Techo storefront, with teasers and articles debuting in August. While sometimes they will bring in designs from the years past, in my experience, this is more common with the covers – which you insert the daily planners into for safekeeping. When it comes to the Weeks, designs are typically only sold that year, which makes them borderline collectible.
According to the Hobonichi Techo storefront, there are several versions of the planner that vary by size and number of pages per day or week. Not to mention with some of them, you have to watch out for the language it comes in, Monday vs. Sunday Start, and even April vs. January Start!
There are essentially 7 different versions:
Original
- The original, Japanese language planner (now comes in English and Simplified Chinese)
- A one-page-per-day design in size A6
- Features Japanese holidays and quotes in Japanese, moon phases, rokuyo (un/lucky days), and more
- Has variations like Avec (split into 2books), HON (Hardcover)
- Can be used with their selection of aesthetically pleasing reusable covers
Planner
- English language planner
- A one-page-per-day design in size A6
- Almost identical to the Original, shows moon phases, but no rokuyo or holidays
- Can be used with their selection of aesthetically pleasing reusable covers
Cousin
- Comes in Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and English
- Larger layout with lots of writing space, one page per day in size A5
- Weekly pages unique to the Cousin for planning your week ahead of time
- Can be used with their selection of aesthetically pleasing reusable covers
Weeks
- Comes in Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and English
- The compact design is easy to fit into a bag or pocket
- On each page spread, there is a one-week layout on the left and a page for note-taking on the right
- There is a Mega Weeks version offered with extra pages in the back
- Not an exact ISO size. Similar in size to a long wallet
- Designs are printed/pasted directly onto the planner
HON
- Comes in Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and English
- Comes in both A6 and A5
- Has a hard cover, and does not fit into covers for the Original or Cousin size
- Designs are printed/pasted directly onto the planner
Day Free
- Japanese language only
- Comes in both A6 and A5
- Features a monthly calendar spread, but no dates-per-page
- A tight-fitting cover can be purchased called the “BS Lite”… yes that’s what it’s called
- Can be used with their selection of aesthetically pleasing reusable covers
5-Year Techo
- Japanese language only
- Comes in both A6 and A5
- Each page spread aligns with the same date over 5 years on the left, with a note page on the right
- Has its own fitted covers. Does not fit into covers for the Original or Cousin size
- Does not list holidays
Unboxing the Hobonichi Weeks
If you haven’t already – check out the video to hear more about unboxing the Hobonichi Weeks!
Since I ordered my Hobonichi from the brand website, it shipped within 10 days, and the packaging was protective but not excessive.
Plus, the quote on the packaging is sweet and quirky, like the brand itself.
@shiawasekat I freaking love these, they make me so excited to fill out for the new year 🩷 also I uploaded a new blog with more info abt the planner! not sponsored just obsessed 🤩 #hobonichi #hobonichitecho #hobonichiweeks #hobonichiunboxing #unboxingvideo #japanesestationery #stationeryaddict #jvlog #jblog ♬ Cafe / video cute lofi ♪ Chill(885831) - ImoKenpi-Dou
“A calendar is filled with numbers. Days that have passed, and days still to come. It’s funny. Of all of them, the only one we are living is today. The only day we can reach out and touch is today.” -Safety Match’s Fireside Chat
The plastic packaging it comes in is simple, but always makes me feel giddy. There’s something sophisticated and understated about its clear top, stating Life の book or just “Life’s Book”. Even when the year ahead seems tough, this little journal always brings out the joys of planning ahead.
Although I primarily used the original, page-per-day planner while I was in college, now I use the Weeks.
In school, having a daily planner was a must, but as an adult with fewer “assignments” and more obligations, chores, or appointments, the Weeks became my top choice.
I’m always pleasantly surprised by the Hobonichi despite getting one every year. And every year they try to do something a little different or tweak it to get it just right. This year their motto is “Life is Present” and it fits the positive image of this planner perfectly.
Where to get the Hobonichi
This year, like last year, if you order from the brand website, the Weeks also comes with a Hobonichi-branded UNI Jetstream.
The Hobonichi site is now taking international orders too, which is a huge plus.
Your mileage may vary with resellers like Jetpens or Andersens Pens – ie. they may not ship with any extras. That said, I’ve reliably ordered with Jetpens and Andersens plenty of times.
Of course, now that I live in Japan, ordering from the site or hopping down to a LOFT is a better option for me now.
If you’re planning on getting a Hobonichi, or have already ordered one, comment which design you got! I’d love to see what everyone else is getting this year.
*Starting in 2024, Tomoe River paper is no longer going to be used due to the closure of the Tomoe River company. Rather they have commissioned a new paper called Tomoe River S paper by Sanzen Paper Manufacturing.