Hobonichi Techo Book Buying Guide

Exploring Each Type

The Hobonichi Techo comes in several types.
Here are some of the features and contents of each.

PlannerOne page per dayA6: An English-language techo with an unobtrusive and supportive layout.; See More

OriginalOne page per dayA6: This is the standard book that has been around since the Hobonichi Techo was first introduced 23 years ago. Pair the book with a cover of your choice.; See More

CousinOne page per dayA5: This larger size book provides plenty of room to write and paste things into the pages. Pair the book with a cover of your choice.; See More

HONOne page per dayA6A5: A techo with a hardcover design already attached to the book. Comes in two sizes, with several cover designs to choose from.; See More

WeeksWeekly horizontalWallet: Each page spread offers a week of planning and a blank page for note-taking. The book is slim and portable, with plenty of cover designs to choose from.; See More

Day-FreeMonthly calendar + notebookA6A5: A handy techo that combines a monthly calendar with a graph paper notebook.Comes in two sizes.; See More

5-Year Techo5 consecutive yearsA6A5: A techo with five years’ worth of entries in a layout that’s easy to keep up with. Available in two sizes.; See More

Choosing a Hobonichi Techo

Find which techo is perfect for you!

01Pick by format

One page per day: The main format for the Hobonichi Techo. You can use it however you want, including as a planner, journal, illustration book, sketchbook, parenting journal, and more.; Original / Original Avec (A6), Cousin / Cousin Avec (A5), HON (A6 / A5), Planner (A6); View lineup

Weekly horizontal: The left page provides space to write in your plans for the week, while the right has blank graph notebook paper. The back of the book is filled with even more blank notebook paper, making a book that is also well-suited for using at work.; Weeks / Weeks Mega; View lineup

Monthly calendar + notebook: This format pairs a monthly calendar with a graph paper notebook. This allows for flexible use without worrying about dates on the pages.; Day-Free (A6 / A5); View lineup

5 consecutive years: 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 each year more than the last.; 5-Year Techo (A6 / A5); View lineup

02Pick by size

1: Wallet Size: A slim and compact size comparable to a long wallet.; Weeks, Weeks Mega; View lineup

2: A6 Size: This compact size fits nicely into your hand.; Original, Avec, HON, Planner, Day-Free, 5-Year Techo; View lineup

3: A5 Size: This large size provides lots of space to write and paste into your pages.; Cousin, Avec, HON, Day-Free, Large 5-Year Techo; View lineup

03Pick by use

Organizing work appointments and tasks

If you track your schedule digitally, writing it out into your techo can help you organize which tasks you need to tackle over the next day, week, or month. Writing things out by hand makes it easier to assign levels of priority to each task.

Weekly horizontal
Track your plans for the weekWeeks: See details

One page per day
Includes a Weekly DiaryHON (A5): See details

Save a record of memories

If you had a nice day with friends or went out with family, let the Hobonichi Techo keep your precious memories. You can write and paste things into the notebook paper of the Day-Free or Weeks and turn it into a scrapbook.

Monthly calendar + notebook
171 graph paper pagesDay-Free (A6 / A5): See details

Weekly horizontal
Has 213 pages of graph paper!Weeks Mega: See details

Deepen knowledge of interests

If you keep a record of things you like or habits you’re trying to keep up with, you can make something that’s enjoyable to read back on later. We recommend the Original for using up an entire page at a time, or the Weeks, which is good for writing weekend plans you’re looking forward to.

One page per day
Write in a single page at a timeOriginal (A6): See details

Weekly horizontal
For those with weekend plansWeeks: See details

Organize thoughts or keep a journal

Many people use the Hobonichi Techo as a journal. By writing what you did each day while reflecting on your feelings, you can organize your thoughts through journaling.

One page per day
Look back on each dayOriginal (A6): See details

5 consecutive years
Enjoy looking back every year5-Year Techo (A6 / A5): See details

Have fun decorating

Many people add illustrations to their journals or stick washi tape or stickers into their pages. If you want simple decorations, the Original is a good idea, and if you’d rather have lots of space to decorate, we recommend the Cousin.

One page per day
If you want to spruce up a journalOriginal (A6): See details

One page per day
If you want to use all your stationeryCousin (A5): See details

Reach a goal

There's a nice sense of accomplishment if you can see your daily efforts when studying for exams or certifications. Track your study time in the weekly diary in the HON(A5), or write out your future initiatives in your 5-Year Techo.

One page per day
Easily manage your timeHON (A5): See details

5 consecutive years
Aim for a long term goal5-Year Techo (A6): See details

Use the Hobonichi Techo for the first time

There are so many types that it can be hard to choose which to try when using the Hobonichi Techo for the first time. Why not start with the classic Original? It has one page per day, lay-flat binding, and has all kinds of features that make it comfortable to use.

One page per day
Store things in your coverOriginal (A6): See details

One page per day
A compact optionHON (A6): See details

Easy to carry around

If you’re interested in carrying the Hobonichi Techo with you everywhere, keep it light. The Avec book set splits each book into six months, making it extra light. The weekly techo, Weeks, is also popular for its light weight and how well it can fit into a bag to keep on hand.

One page per day
6-month book is easy to carryOriginal Avec (A6): See details

Weekly horizontal
Slim with lots of notebook paperWeeks: See details

Simple Comparison Chart

One page per day

Planner

Format

One page per day

Language

English

Size

A6 size
W	105 mm / 4.1”
H	148 mm / 5.8”
T	15 mm / 0.6”

Weight

Approx. 190 g

Dates

January - December

First Day of the Week

Monday start

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Important Contacts
International Size Charts
The Ultimate Packing List
My 100
How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary
Oodles of Noodles
Personal Notes

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Hobonichi 5mm Graph Paper Notebook (random design)
Ballpoint pen

See details

One page per day

OriginalOriginal Avec

Format

One page per day

Language

JapaneseEnglishJapanese

Size

A6 size
W	105 mm / 4.1”
H	148 mm / 5.8”
T	15 mm / 0.6”	8 mm / 0.3" × 2 books

Weight

Approx. 195 gApprox. 110g
× 2 books

Dates

January Start:January - December

April Start:April 2025 - March 2026January - DecemberBook1:January - June

Book2:July - December

First Day of the Week

Sunday / Monday startMonday start

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Time Table
Graph Paper
Favorites
My 100
Sample Symbols and Icons
How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary
Gifts
Addresses
Personal Notes

<Japanese edition only>

Solar Terms
Emergency Preparedness
Conversion Chart
Getting the most of Hobonichi
Age Table
Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures

<English edition only>

Words to Remember
365 Days Check-Off Sheet
Oodles of Noodles
Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo
Looking Back at the Year 2025

<Avec>

A Book 1 and 2 both include the same bonus pages as the Original (Japanese edition)

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Hobonichi 5mm Graph Paper Notebook (random design)
Ballpoint pen

See details

One page per day

CousinCousin Avec

Format

One page per day

Language

JapaneseEnglishJapanese

Size

A5 size
W	148 mm / 5.8”
H	210 mm / 8.3”
T	18 mm / 0.7”	10 mm / 0.4" × 2 books

Weight

Approx. 445 gApprox. 260 g
× 2 books

Dates

January Start:January - December

April Start:April 2025 - March 2026January - DecemberBook1:January - June

Book2:July - December

First Day of the Week

Monday start

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Time Table
Graph Paper
Favorites
My 100
Sample Symbols and Icons
How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary
Gifts
Addresses
Personal Notes

<Japanese edition only>

Solar Terms
Emergency Preparedness
Conversion Chart
Getting the most of Hobonichi
Age Table
Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures

<English edition only>

Words to Remember
365 Days Check-Off Sheet
Oodles of Noodles
Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo

<Avec>

A Book 1 and 2 both include the same bonus pages as the Cousin (Japanese edition)

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Hobonichi 5mm Graph Paper Notebook (random design)
Ballpoint pen

See details

One page per day

HON A6HON A5

Format

One page per day

Language

JapaneseEnglishJapaneseEnglish

Size

A6 size		A5 size
W	110 mm / 4.3”	152 mm / 6.0”
H	156 mm / 6.1”	214 mm / 8.4”
T	16 mm / 0.6”	20 mm / 0.8”

Weight

Approx. 210 gApprox. 490 g

Dates

January - December

First Day of the Week

Monday start

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Time Table
Graph Paper
Favorites
My 100
Sample Symbols and Icons
How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary
Gifts
Addresses
Personal Notes

<Japanese edition only>

Solar Terms
Emergency Preparedness
Conversion Chart
Getting the most of Hobonichi
Age Table
Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures

<English edition only>

Words to Remember
365 Days Check-Off Sheet
Oodles of Noodles
Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo
Looking Back at the Year 2025 (A6 size only)

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Hobonichi 5mm Graph Paper Notebook (random design)
Ballpoint pen

See details

Weekly horizontal

WeeksWeeks Mega

Format

Weekly horizontal

Language

JapaneseEnglishJapaneseEnglish

Size

Wallet size
W	94 mm / 3.7”
H	188 mm / 7.4”
T	Approx. 10 mm / 0.4”	Approx. 13 mm / 0.5”

Weight

Approx. 130 gApprox. 178 g

Dates

January Start:January - December

April Start:April 2025 - March 2026January - December

First Day of the Week

Monday start

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Shorthand Note-Taking
Using Common Items to Measure Size
My 100
Sample Symbols and Icons
Contact List
Personal Notes

<Japanese edition only>

Solar Terms
Emergency Preparedness
Age Table
Conversion Chart
Getting the most of Hobonichi
Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures

<English edition only>

Favorites
365 Days Check-Off Sheet
Oodles of Noodles

<Mega>

Contains nearly three times the number of blank graph paper pages

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Ballpoint pen

See details

Monthly calendar + notebook

Day-Free A6Day-Free A5

Format

Monthly calendar + notebook

Language

Japanese

Size

A6 size		A5 size
W	105 mm / 4.1”	148 mm / 5.8”
H	148 mm / 5.8”	210 mm / 8.3”
T	8 mm / 0.3”	8 mm / 0.3”

Weight

Approx. 110 gApprox. 220 g

Dates

December 2024 - March 2026

First Day of the Week

Monday start

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Time Table
Graph Paper
Favorites
My 100
Sample Symbols and Icons
How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary
Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures
Solar Terms
Emergency Preparedness
Conversion Chart
Getting the most of Hobonichi
Gifts
Age Table
Addresses
Personal Notes

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Ballpoint pen

See details

5 consecutive years

5-Year TechoLarge 5-Year Techo

Format

5 consecutive years

Language

Japanese

Size

A6 size paper		A5 size paper
W	113 mm / 4.4”	156 mm / 6.1”
H	153 mm / 6.0”	214 mm / 8.4”
T	25 mm / 1.0"	25 mm / 1.0"

Weight

Approx. 330 gApprox. 670 g

Dates

January 2025 - December 2029

First Day of the Week

N/A

Daily Page

Weekly Page

Monthly Page

Yearly Calendar

Other Pages

Yearly memo pages
Remember This
Gifts
Addresses
My Lists
My Favorite Things
Personal Notes

Included With This Product *Hobonichi Techo Official Store Exclusives

Hobonichi 5mm Graph Paper Notebook (random design)

See details

Hobonichi Store Exclusives are available while supplies last.You will receive one of four randomly chosen designs for the Hobonichi 5mm Graph Paper Notebook (Bonus Item).

Shop here!