Recommended Souvenirs! 10 Popular Japanese Stationery Items
Japan is often called a “stationery paradise.” From items designed for ultimate ease of use to unique products that meet even the most niche needs, the country offers an incredibly wide range of stationery. Thanks to their high quality and affordable prices, Japanese stationery items are also very popular as souvenirs.
Here are 10 recommended stationery items to check out—perfect for picking up as memorable gifts from Japan!
①Ukanmuri Clip
Ukanmuri Clip – Peach Beige – 660 yen (tax included)
In Japanese kanji, characters like “宇” or “宅” have a small shape on top that looks like the katakana “ウ,” which is called a “ukanmuri” (roof radical). This unique clip is named the Ukanmuri Clip because its shape resembles that radical.
To use it, simply clip it onto the center of a booklet to keep it open. It’s perfect for sheet music, textbooks, planners, notebooks, and more. It’s especially handy when you want to keep your textbook open while taking notes in a notebook. This product became a hot topic in Japan and is highly praised for its convenience. In addition to peach beige, it comes in clear, blue, and even limited-edition character collaboration designs.
②Quira
Quira – 638 yen (tax included)
Quira is a tape-style highlighter. Because it uses tape instead of ink, it won’t smudge the original text, and you don’t need to worry about ink bleeding through to the back of your notebook page.
Image Source：https://www.raymay.co.jp/bungu/contents/release/2024/34_kept/main.html
It comes in a variety of color combinations, and each unit includes two different tape colors, which is a nice bonus.
You can create neat, clean highlights like this. If you accidentally highlight the wrong spot, you can simply erase it with an eraser, making it a great gift for students.
③KIRE-NA
KIRE-NA (Set of 5 colors) – 660 yen (tax included)
Here’s another convenient highlighter item. At first glance, it looks like a standard highlighter pen, but it has several unique features.
Take a look at the pen tip—transparent guides are attached to both ends of the tip, allowing you to draw perfectly straight lines every time.
Additionally, it uses quick-drying ink, so the line dries almost instantly and doesn’t smudge the original text. It’s an item you’ll definitely want to try at least once!
④Portable Scissors
Portable Scissors (Strawberry Daifuku) – 1,100 yen (tax included)
While traveling in Japan, you might suddenly buy an umbrella during a rain shower, or want to change into a newly purchased outfit on the spot. That’s when these compact portable scissors come in handy.
With tiny 19mm blades, these scissors are perfect for cutting tags, opening packages, or any of those “good-to-have” little tasks.
The blades can be safely stored inside the case, and when closed, the scissors measure about 4.5 cm in diameter—compact enough to fit in a pouch without taking up space, and safe to carry around.
The Japanese Sweets Series we’re featuring here comes with acrylic charms of traditional treats like Strawberry Daifuku and Konpeitō (sugar candies), giving it a fun and unmistakably “Japanese souvenir” feel.
⑤Stickers
Otona no Zukan Stickers (Japanese Sweets) – 330 yen (tax included)
Japanese stationery stores are filled with a wide variety of stickers. This is because Japan has a strong handwritten planner trend, and many people—especially women—collect stickers as a hobby.
The “Otona no Zukan” (Adult Picture Book) sticker series features many designs, including sushi, animals, Japanese sweets, and Disney characters. Made with a foil-pressed, washi-like custom paper, they have a luxurious finish.
The Japanese sweets design realistically depicts traditional Japanese treats. These stickers are perfect for decorating planners or letters, or simply collecting and displaying as they are.
⑥MATTEHOP
MATTEHOP (1 pen) – 220 yen (tax included)
MATTEHOP is a ballpoint pen with vivid matte colors. Unlike regular pens, it writes clearly on masking tape, photographs, and black paper, producing vibrant, opaque lines.
It’s also perfect for photo decoration like this. Why not brighten up your travel photos from Japan with MATTEHOP?
Product Details：MATTEHOP（Black）
⑦Sumo Wrestler Stick Marker
Stick Marker – Sumo Wrestler – 385 yen (tax included)
After stickers, sticky notes are another popular stationery item with endless design variations in Japan. This vertical stick marker features a cute sumo wrestler design.
When you stick it on a notebook, it looks like a sumo match is happening right on the page! Its cute and uniquely Japanese design makes it both fun and practical.
⑧Stand Stick Marker – Corgi Butt
Stand Stick Marker – Corgi Butt – 330 yen (tax included)
Here’s another charming sticky note: a memo pad shaped like the rear end of an adorable corgi.
Other variations include hedgehog bellies, cat bellies, and panda bellies. All of them are so cute that just displaying them on your desk will brighten your day.
The base folds into a stand, so you can display it at your office desk for a little moment of relaxation during work.
⑨Masking Tape Template
Masking Tape Template – Animal – 495 yen (tax included)
The Masking Tape Template is perfect for decorating planners, notebooks, or letters. In addition to the featured “Animal” design, there are three other template variations available.
By tracing the template, you can easily create neat little illustrations to add charming accents to your planner.
The edges of the template also serve as a masking tape cutter, allowing you to cut tape in six different patterns, including wavy, zigzag, and ribbon shapes.
With this tool, you can stylishly cut masking tape to make your planner decorations, scrapbooking, or gift wrapping look extra polished.
⑩Rollbahn Diary
Rollbahn Diary – 1,650 yen (tax included)
Rollbahn is a notebook brand loved for its timeless, stylish covers. Every year, it releases limited-edition and collaboration designs, making it a must-have for stationery fans in Japan.
The Diary series includes monthly and yearly calendar pages. One of Rollbahn’s most distinctive features is its warm cream-colored paper, which makes writing feel cozy and relaxing.
Inside, the notebook features 5mm grid paper, allowing users to freely organize notes, journals, or sketches in their own style.
There are also Rollbahn accessories, like matching bookmarks and cream-colored correction tapes, which are designed to blend perfectly with the notebook. These well-designed add-ons let you customize your Rollbahn to fit your personal style.
Where to Buy Stationery in Japan
If you want to buy stationery in Japan, LOFT and Tokyu Hands are highly recommended. Both stores offer a wide selection of items, from classic essentials to the latest releases, and even store-exclusive products.
Here are some major stores in Tokyo:
■ LOFT
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Shibuya Store
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Ginza Store
■ Tokyu Hands
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Shibuya Store
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Shinjuku Store
In Shibuya, you can conveniently visit both LOFT and Tokyu Hands, which are just a few minutes’ walk apart. It’s perfect for stationery shopping trips where you can explore both stores easily.
Stationery Souvenirs Everyone Will Love
Japan is truly a paradise for stationery lovers. From items you can use at school or the office to cute keepsakes for yourself, Japanese stationery makes thoughtful and practical souvenirs.
Another bonus is the affordable prices, which make it easy to buy multiple items as gifts or collectibles.
When you visit Japan, be sure to explore the stores and find your new favorite stationery items!