This original form of the Hobonichi Techo has been loved by many users since its introduction in 2002, and the 2025 edition marks the techo’s 24th year. Its daily pages offer plenty of space to fill despite the book’s compact A6 size. The graph paper offers an open layout for you to neatly lay out writings, clippings, and drawings.
After years of testing, the graph paper has been set to 3.7 mm for optimal writing comfort. The graph paper design allows users to write from any starting point on the page, and the lines have been printed in light colors so users can either customize it to their own layout or ignore it completely.
The Hobonichi Techo includes quotes specially chosen from its parent site, the Japanese web magazine Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun. Each daily page has a quote in Japanese.
The Original book comes either as Monday-start week (with the words on the front cover printed in gray) or Sunday-start week (printed in red).
The book has the same thread-stitch binding as a dictionary, allowing it to lay flat open for comfortable writing. It stays flat even if you don’t hold it down.
The book uses thin and light yet durable Tomoe River paper. This paper that underwent an overhaul with the 2024 edition techo is more resistant to bleed through, lighter despite being the same thickness, and has a smoother surface by adjusting the fibers of the paper.
Other than the daily pages with lots of space to write, the book contains several sections that are great for schedule management, such as a yearly calendar, monthly calendar, and yearly index page. The back of the book has bonus pages, including Sample Symbols and Icons, How to Have Fun Keeping a Diary, and Recommended Noodle List of 47 Prefectures.
(See the Exploring Each Type page for more details.)
The Hobonichi Techo is used by pairing a techo book with a cover. Pick out a cover of your choice from our large selection of convenient A6 size Hobonichi Techo covers.
See cover lineup
We also have the Hobonichi Pencil Board fitted for the A6 Original size. Not only does it keep pens from slipping and makes writing more manageable, but it also serves as a bookmark for the page that you are writing. It’s a standard item that would excellently match your techo.
Size | H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 15 mm / H: 5.8" x W: 4.1" x T: 0.6" *Specifications may vary slightly |
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Weight | Approx. 195 g |
Main material | Paper |
Size | A6 size H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 15 mm / H: 5.8" x W: 4.1" x T: 0.6" *Actual book size may vary slightly |
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Weight | Approx. 195 g |
Language | Japanese |
Pages | 464 pages |
Paper Type / Binding | Thin, light Tomoe River paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding |
Graph Paper Size | 3.7 mm *Monthly calendar pages are 3.45 mm |
Start of Week | Monday-start week or Sunday-start week |
Yearly Calendar | 2024, 2025, 2026 |
Yearly Index | Dec. 2024 - Mar. 2026 (8 pages) |
Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2024 - Mar. 2026 (32 pages) |
Daily Pages | Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025 (377 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book. *A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. *All daily pages include daily quotes. *Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday- / Sunday-start). |
Daily Quotes | One per day (Japanese) |
Weekly Pages | Not included |
Memo Pages | 15 pages |
Bonus 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 (for 6 people) / Personal Notes |
Listed Information | Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars only include full and new moon) |
Other | See the Exploring Each Type page for more details |
In order to provide you with the most satisfaction for your product, we've compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Please be sure to read this information carefully before placing your order.
The Hobonichi Techo's Tomoe River paper is designed to prevent bleed-through, but some fountain pens and water-based ink pens are not compatible with this paper. When switching to a new pen, we recommend testing the pen somewhere in the book, such as the back memo pages, to see if the ink bleeds through or takes an especially long time to dry.
Please note that we will not replace the packaging for the products if it has rips or damage.
If you’ve used any of these products, we welcome your notes on what you like about them or what led you to buy them so we can share it with customers who are currently considering these products. We’d also love to welcome comments from customers who purchased their techo outside the Hobonichi Store or received their book as a gift.