Thinking about getting a Hobonichi Techo but not sure if it’s actually worth the money?
It’s small, minimal, and kind of pricey for a planner. But people online love it, so you’re probably wondering if it’s one of those tools that could finally help you stay consistent… or just another pretty notebook that ends up in the drawer.
This post breaks it all down.
We’ll go over what makes the Hobonichi Techo different, who it’s actually made for, the real pros and cons, and how to know if it’s a good fit for your daily routine.
And if it’s not? I’ll give you a few other options to consider that might work better (especially if you like something more flexible or budget-friendly).
Let’s take a closer look before you click “add to cart.”
What Is the Hobonichi Techo Planner?
At first glance, the Hobonichi Techo might just look like a small notebook, but it’s actually a super detailed daily planner that you can use every single day.
It’s originally from Japan, and the design is simple but really thoughtful. The pages are made with Tomoe River paper (which is ultra-thin but somehow still handles pens nicely), and the book lies completely flat when it’s open.
The original Hobonichi is about A6 size, think small paperback book. Inside, you’ll find:
- A full year’s worth of daily pages (yes, one per day)
- Monthly spreads
- Yearly overview pages
- Daily quotes (some inspirational, some just fun)
- Timeline columns, a moon phase tracker, and even a mini calendar on each page
It’s not your typical planner with just boxes to check. The pages have a light grid and a lot of white space, which means you can use them however you want it’s writing appointments, journaling, tracking habits, or even doodling your lunch.
There are also other versions, like:
- Hobonichi Weeks – a slimmer, weekly version with space for notes
- Weeks Mega – same as Weeks, but with extra note pages in the back
- And different cover options (some basic, some super colorful, many sold separately)
It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all setup. But it is built for people who want their planner to feel personal, flexible, and almost like a daily ritual.
Who Is the Hobonichi Techo Really For?
The Hobonichi Techo is beautiful, well-made, and full of thoughtful little details. But that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a good fit for everyone.
Here’s who it tends to work best for:
You love writing things down every day
If you’re someone who already journals, brain dumps, or writes to stay focused, the daily pages will feel like a dream. There’s space for planning, reflection, and random thoughts all in one spot.
You’re into memory keeping or scrapbooking
A lot of people use the Hobonichi as a mini scrapbook. Washi tape, stickers, tiny doodles, photos, you name it. The paper can handle it (just maybe skip the heavy markers or glue sticks).
You want a planner that feels more personal
The Hobonichi isn’t just a tool for tracking appointments. It’s designed to feel like your own little space.
The quotes, moon phases, and daily timeline give each page a sense of rhythm, like a quiet reset every morning. It encourages you to slow down, reflect, and write what matters to you, not just what needs to get done. (It’s a planner, YES… but it’s also part journal, part memory keeper.)
You use fountain pens or care about paper quality
Tomoe River paper is thin, smooth, and surprisingly sturdy. Fountain pen users love it because there’s little to no bleed-through, even with wetter ink.
But here’s the flip side: this planner might not be for you if:
- You prefer a big planner with lots of room to write
- You often skip days or don’t plan daily
- You feel overwhelmed by blank pages
- You’re not into customizing or decorating
- You want something that’s ready to go with no setup
Bottom line?
If you’re the kind of person who sees a blank page and wants to fill it, the Hobonichi might feel exciting. But if it feels like pressure, or like one more thing to keep up with, it could end up being more stress than it’s worth.
Pros and Cons
The Hobonichi Techo gets a lot of attention, and honestly, it’s not just hype. It has some genuinely great features that make it stand out from other planners. But like anything, it’s not perfect. Let’s look at both sides so you can decide if it’s really for you.
What People Love (The Pros)
It’s well-made and holds up all year.
From the binding to the stitching to the cover quality, this thing is built to last. Even if you carry it around in your bag or use it daily, it doesn’t fall apart mid-year like some cheaper planners do.
The layout is flexible and open.
No forced format. No rigid boxes. The light grid on each page gives you just enough structure to guide you, but still leaves room to plan your way. You can use it for appointments one day, journaling the next, and goal tracking after that. It adapts as your routine changes.
It lays flat on its own.
This sounds like not a big deal. BUT, if you’ve ever had to hold down pages just to write something, you know how annoying that can be. The Hobonichi opens flat and stays put, making it easy to write, draw, or decorate without hassle.
It’s small but thoughtfully designed.
Even though the A6 size is compact, it’s packed with useful details like daily quotes, moon phases, a mini calendar on each page, and timeline markings. It’s clear that every page was designed with intention.
The paper is thin but strong.
Tomoe River paper is kind of famous in the planner world. It’s super smooth, doesn’t bleed through with most pens (even fountain pens), and somehow still holds up to daily use, even with how thin it is.
What to Watch Out For (The Cons)
It’s a bit of a splurge.
You’re not just buying a planner, you’re buying a whole experience. The base planner costs more than most store-bought planners, and once you add in covers, bookmarks, and accessories, it can get pricey fast.
It’s beautiful, YES… but not exactly budget-friendly.
The writing space can feel tight.
If you’re used to bigger layouts or have larger handwriting, the daily pages might feel cramped. The A6 size is perfect for portability, but not ideal if you like to spread things out or write a lot every day.
You have to build your own structure.
There are no checkboxes, prompts, or pre-labeled sections. That’s amazing if you love the freedom, but frustrating if you prefer a guided setup or don’t want to “figure it out” each time you open it.
Some versions aren’t in English.
The original daily Hobonichi is available in English, but the Weeks and Week’s Mega planners are still only in Japanese. That means the quotes, calendar labels, and extra reference pages may not be useful unless you’re familiar with the language.
It’s easy to feel like you need to “do it right.”
Because it’s so well-loved online, there’s a ton of pressure to make it look Instagram-perfect. That you don’t have to decorate it, use washi tape, or journal deep thoughts every day.
Still, that pressure is real, and it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind if your pages aren’t filled in.
So is it a beautiful, well-designed planner? Yes.
Is it for everyone? Not really.
It’s a great tool if you’re the kind of person who already uses planners regularly and enjoys the freedom of open space. But if you’re more of a checklist person or need more structure to stay on track, it might be more stressful than helpful.
Is It Really Worth the Hype (And the Price)?
Here’s my honest take about it…
It depends on how you plan and what you’ll use it for.
If you already enjoy journaling or planning every day, you’ll probably love it. The design is thoughtful, the paper is beautiful, and it feels like something you want to pick up.
It turns daily planning into a little ritual, whether that’s writing out your schedule, tracking a habit, or just writing down a quick note about your day.
But if you tend to skip days, don’t like open layouts, or just want a simple planner to check off tasks, the Hobonichi might not be the best match. It could end up sitting unused, which isn’t great when you’ve spent $40+ on it.
Also, if you’re buying it just because it’s trendy or “everyone loves it,” take a second and think: Does this actually fit how I plan?
Because truthfully, a planner only works if you actually use it. And while the Hobonichi is lovely, it’s not magic. If it doesn’t fit your style or routine, it’ll just become another unused notebook on the shelf.
If you’re unsure, it might help to try a simpler system first, like the Organize Life Planner Printable Kit, that you can test out without spending much. That way, you can figure out what kind of layout or routine works for you before jumping into a more expensive setup.
Tips for Using the Hobonichi (If You Decide to Try It)
If you’re ready to try the Hobonichi or maybe you already have one and just aren’t sure how to use it, these tips will help you get started without getting overwhelmed.
Because yes, it’s a beautiful planner… but it only works if it actually suits your life.
Start small and don’t pressure yourself too much
Don’t feel like you have to fill every page with something deep or meaningful. You can simply write down your top 3 tasks for the day, a quick note about what happened, or how you felt.
If you’re into meal tracking, write what you ate. If you’re trying to build a habit, log it at the bottom. It doesn’t need to be perfect or artistic, it just needs to reflect your life.
Use washi tape or sticky tabs to mark key sections
Since the Hobonichi doesn’t come with dividers, adding a few visual markers makes it way easier to jump to the pages you use most. You can mark the start of each month, flag your current week, or separate pages where you’re tracking goals, habits, or finances.
Even a simple paper clip can also work.
Try using it as a memory keeper
If you’re not into planning every day but love the idea of documenting your life, use the Hobonichi as a memory log.
Write down one small win, a favorite quote, or something funny your kid said. Add a photo, a sticker, or a pressed flower. Over time, it becomes a personal little yearbook.
Choose the right pen (and test it first)
The paper is thin but strong and works great with fountain pens, gel pens, and fine-liners. That said, some markers or bold highlighters can smudge if you don’t let them dry for a second.
Test out your pens on the back index pages before committing to a full spread.And if you’re worried about mistakes, just use a pencil at first or try erasable ink pens.
Give yourself permission to skip days
Seriously. Life happens. You’re not behind if you miss a few days or even a few weeks. The Hobonichi doesn’t judge, and you don’t need to make up for blank pages. Just pick it back up and start fresh wherever you are.
The beauty is that it’ll always be there when you’re ready.
Now, if you love the idea of journaling or daily planning but want more space or the flexibility to reprint pages and try new layouts, a printable planner just like the Organized Life Planner Printable Kit might be a better fit long term. You can test what works for your lifestyle without feeling locked into one format.
The Hobonichi Techo is a great tool, but it’s not the only one. Use what helps, and just skip what doesn’t.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Hobonichi Techo worth it?
DEFINITELY.
But, only if you’re someone who loves writing things down every day, enjoys a flexible layout, or wants to turn planning into a daily routine, you’ll probably love it.
It’s lightweight, well-designed, and feels more personal than most store-bought planners.
But if you’re just getting started with planning, don’t love journaling, or prefer something simple and structured, it might not be the best fit right now.
(And that’s perfectly fine)
There’s no “perfect” planner. What matters most is how it fits into your real life, your schedule, your habits, and your energy.
If the Hobonichi doesn’t feel like the right match, try something more flexible or more YOU, first.
Just like the Organized Life Planner Printable Kit. You can start small with it, reprint what you need, and switch things up as life changes. And honestly? That kind of freedom can make planning feel way easier (and less expensive).
Whether you go with the Hobonichi or something else, the goal is the same…
A system that helps you stay organized, feel more in control, and make time for the stuff that actually matters in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use The Hobonichi Techo As A Regular Planner?
Yes, you definitely can. Even though it’s popular as a journaling or memory-keeping tool, it works just fine as a regular daily planner. You can write down your to-dos, appointments, and reminders just like you would in any other planner.
2. Is The Hobonichi Techo Good For Goal Setting Or Productivity?
It can be, but only if you create your own structure. There aren’t built-in goal pages or trackers, so you’d have to use the daily pages or monthly spreads in a way that works for your goals. Some people love the freedom; others prefer more guided layouts.
3. Which Hobonichi Should I Get If I’m Just Starting Out?
If you’re brand new, the Original (A6) is a great place to start. It’s small, simple, and comes in English. If you prefer weekly layouts, try the Hobonichi Weeks; just know that version is only in Japanese for now. You can also check out the Week’s Mega if you need extra space for notes.
4. What Pens Work Best With Hobonichi Paper?
Fine-tip gel pens, fountain pens, and ballpoints all work great with Tomoe River paper. Just avoid really inky markers or anything super wet; they might smudge if you don’t let them dry. Pilot G2s, Uni Pens, and Micron pens are all safe choices.
5. What If I Stop Using It Halfway Through The Year?
That’s totally okay. Skip the guilt. It happens to everyone. You can always pick it back up or repurpose the blank pages for notes, journaling, or lists. And if you’re worried about wasting money, maybe try a printable planner next time, you can reprint and restart anytime.