I’ve been an avid fan of the Hobonichi Techo for going on 9 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 for 2024 their beautiful, floral Liberty Fabrics design caught my eye, ooh-la-la.
If you’ve never heard of Hobonichi Techo or its myriad versions, this guide and unboxing is for you.
By the way, I don’t have an affiliate link with them, 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.
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. Quotes by him and other authers can be 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.
Unique Designs
Every year in September, the new designs are released on the Hobonichi Techo storefront, with teasers and articles debuting in August.
For the daily planners, there are a plethora of cute covers. They also sell pencil boards, notebooks, and other stationery goods. There’s truly something for everyone.
Often, these covers are designed by artists in Japan or derived from historic Japanese prints and artworks.
While you can sometimes get past years’ designs, some are limited to the year of their release.
For example, when it comes to the Weeks planners, designs are typically only sold that year. They’re practically collectible, and it’s so hard to choose one to represent your year… yet you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Hobonichi Techo Planner Formats
1. Original
2. Planner
- 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:
- Avec (split into 2 books)
- HON (Hardcover)
- Can be used with their selection of aesthetically pleasing reusable covers
- 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
3. 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
4. Original / Planner
- 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
Lots of Options
There are several versions of the planner that vary by size and number of pages per day or week.
In addition to the form factor, there are many options for buying your Hobonichi Techo.
You can choose the language it comes in: English, Japanese, or Chinese. However, some models don’t have language options.
Plus, you can choose between Monday or Sunday start for the week. Personally, I like Monday start.
Since school starts and ends in Spring, they also have two different year starts. One for the new calendar year in January, and one for the new school year in April. Sometimes they even have limited edition designs for April!
Unboxing the Hobonichi Weeks
Click to enlarge
I ordered my Hobonichi from the brand website, so it shipped within 10 days. The packaging was protective but not excessive. It came in a branded cardboard box with a bit of bubble wrap.
Check out the video to hear more about unboxing the Hobonichi Weeks!
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.
Plus, the quote on the packaging is sweet and quirky, like the brand itself:
“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
How I use my Hobonichi Techo
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, and appointments, the Weeks became my top choice.
But it doesn’t just have to be a planner. Many people enjoy bullet journaling and using it to track the changes in their lives. I like to doodle, keep ticket stubs, and mark my budget progress in it too.
I think the Hobonichi is a great, multi-use stationery staple. Plus they’re compact and wonderful for traveling with! Not to mention they’re very high quality.
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.
For 2024, their motto was “Life is Present” and it fits the positive image of this planner perfectly.
With so many life changes this year – moving out from Montréal, moving to Japan, and Getting Married™ – I could really get behind its positive message.
Where to get the Hobonichi
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 sellers 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.
