Best Stationery Award Japan 2024

Let’s be honest—most of us have fallen under the spell of stationery at some point. Maybe it’s the crisp, freshly printed pages of a brand-new notebook or that perfectly balanced pen that makes you want to keep writing long after your hand gives out. Now, imagine that joy multiplied by ten—that’s the magic of Japanese stationery.

Japan has a global reputation for creating stationery that blends beauty, innovation, and everyday practicality. Think beyond simple pens and paper: one award-winning design even turned a bento box into a seasonal food calendar. And forget the harsh chemical scent of traditional glue—Japanese-made versions can smell like something straight out of Bath & Body Works. Pretty neat, right?

In this article, we’ll dive into the very best stationery Japan has to offer. We’ll first talk about how the industry’s top designs are chosen, where to keep up with the latest trends, and of course, discover the winners of the Japan Stationery Awards 2024:

What are the Japanese Stationery Awards?

The Stationery Awards—officially known as the Bunbouguyasan Taisho (文房具屋さん大賞) or simply the Bungu Taisho—is Japan’s biggest annual event celebrating new and innovative stationery. Since its launch in 2013, the awards have highlighted products that aren’t just useful, but also bring fresh creativity and excitement to the world of Japanese stationery. Every year, only the most impressive designs are crowned, from clever everyday tools to stunning statement pieces.

Awards include:
Functional Award
Design Award
Idea Award
Grand Prize

Categories cover a huge range of stationery, such as:

• Functional Award
• Design Award
• Idea Award
• Grand Prize

Categories

• Pens
• Mechanical Pencils
• Fountain Pens
• Colored Pens
• Erasers
• Pencil Cases
• Desktop Storage
• Pouches / Bags
• Folders
• Sticky Notes
• Letter Paper
• Cards
• Memo Pads
• Notebooks
• Stamps
• Handheld Notebooks/Pads
• Masking Tape
• Glue / Tape
• Stickers
• Clips
• Cutting Tools
• Scissors
• And more...

Shop Stationery from Japan

Stationery Awards Japan 2024 Winners 

This year, 13 companies such as TSUTAYA, LOFT, Yodobashi Camera, and more come together to present the best creations to compete for the stationery awards. Let's take a look at this year's victors!

Design Award: Uniball One P (MITSUBISHI PENCIL)

Speaking of cute, the Uniball One P is described as "koronto kawaii" (bubbly cute) with colors so kawaii it's "bound to make your heart pop out of your chest!" For people who like a little more body in their writing, this is the pen for you. It writes thick and smooth.

Word from Critics:

"The pen's design, especially the roundness of the thrust area, feels so satisfying. It writes thick with colors that come out so nicely. It's great!"

"The roundness and matte-powder finish is elegant and it's adorable."

Buy Uniball One P Pen

Functional Award: Campus Flat Kimochii Notebook (KOKUYO)

It's annoying when you're writing in your notebook while you're in the zone and then having to battle it out with the spine or spiral to keep your notes tidy. Then later you go for another mono-a-mono desperately stretching your notebook to read what you've written. It completely ruins your workflow.

It took them three years to develop, but Kokuyo has solved this problem with their newly released notebook. It's completely flat open, it feels good! No more separated left-right pages with an awkward bump in the middle. Now, your notebook can open up into a 180° flat canvas. Your ideas will no longer be held back by the spine!

Word from Critics:

"It's amazing to see a notebook that completely falls flat as soon as you open it. I can write across both sides of the notebook! It's so nice not to have a notebook spine."

"It opens flat so it's not only easy to write on, but you can also paste pictures on it with no problem."

Idea Award - Ukanmuri Clip (Sunstar Stationery)

Continuing the theme of our universal dislike towards book spines, we have the Ukanmuri Clip. We've all been there; wanting to look at something in a book or notebook hands-free to do something else simultaneously. Maybe you want to scan that particular page with your phone and then the book closes on you just when you've got the camera to focus.

It's situations like these when the Ukanmuri Clip shines. It has the perfect shape to hold bound documents open without looking awkward.The shape makes it annoying to carry around, but it's definitely something to keep in your arsenal.

Word from Critics:

"The design is ingenious! The colors are very stylish and easy to match with any aesthetic."

"It can even handle clipping down the thickest books or any pocket-sized book. It makes me feel like, 'Why haven't we had anything like this before?'"

Grand Prize Winner - Mattehop (Pentel)

Is it a pen? Is it a marker? It's both! It's a hybrid. The ink coming out of this pen is milky, smooth, and matte just like its name. For those who like using thicker pens for decorating or outlining, the mattehop is perfect. Write over photos, posters, anything you want, and your writing will come out matte and colorful! It's a writing tool that packs a punch with a small form factor that can fit in your pencil pouch easily.

Word from Critics:

"Whether on pictures or over masking/washi tape, the colors come out nicely so I love using it!"

"The ink is thick and rich, and the colors come out so nicely. Once you start writing with it, you'll get hooked!"

21st Kokuyo Design Awards

Since 2002, Kokuyo has partnered with independent stationery creators and awarded them for their innovative works. This is known as the Kokuyo Design Award, another testament to Japan's dedication to stationery. This year is the 21st Kokuyo Design Award so let's look at what this year's award winners' ideas look like.

*All images are sourced from 21st Kokuyo Design Award Official Online Website

Grand Prix Winner: You Shape

Everyone is born different and Tasuku Denmo, the creator of You Shape, makes this clear. It's a pencil that's, well, shaped like you! It has a 1.5cm core with an outer part that can be sharpened according to the owner's hand shape. No more struggling to hold the pencil "correctly".

Merit Award Winners: Memento

Completely embodying KOKUYO'S theme of "primitive essence" is the Memento. It's a round whiteboard that you can use on a table. It's simple but clever. This product brings a modern touch to the experience of writing on stone tablets. It lets us get in touch with the past!

Color-Changing Pencil

You may be thinking, "Why get a color-changing pencil when you can change the color yourself when you want with a normal set of colored pencils?" The difference between those normal pencils and this one is not just the color. What a great experience it is to experience life through the pencil as you breathe life into your own creations. This is the vision Ibuki Ohara has for her creation. Through the pencil, the wielder gets to experience the life of a flower or even the ever-changing seasons.

Drippy

Sticky notes: The good thing about them is that they stick out. The bad thing about them is that they stick out. And if you're the type of individual who uses anything and everything around you to mark a page, the book gets bulky in no time. With Drippy, that problem is no more! The creators, Fukutaka (Takaaki Sato and Mao Fukasawa), named Drippy after its teardrop shape. It's a sticky note you can place anywhere on the inside of the page to reduce the bulk. Not only is it functional, its tear trace motif is also aesthetically pleasing.

How to Keep Up With the Latest Japanese Stationery

Apart from these yearly awards, Japan shows its love for and dedication to stationery in other similar ways. Events are held yearly throughout the country for people to know about and experience using newly invented stationery. If you want to keep up with what's hot in the Japanese stationery world, these events are definitely a must on your go-to list. Here are a couple to watch out for:

Event: Bungu Joshi Haku

Bungu Joshi Haku is the largest stationery event in Japan. It started in 2017 and is held yearly in early December. Described as "every stationery lover's paradise, not only can you test and buy the latest products, you also get a chance to meet the creators and talk to them directly. It is said that about 450,000 attendees come yearly so if you have plans to be in Tokyo in December, consider checking out this four-day event. You're sure to find the stationery that's meant for you!

[VIDEO: Bungu Joshi Digest 2023]

Event: Hands Bunbougu Matsuri

Tokyu Hands, a major DIY retailer in Japan, is not only known for its variety of products used to elevate the average consumer's personal projects. It's also known for selling stationery. As a big-name stationery seller, it's no surprise they hold a dedicated stationery event. Their Bunbougu Matsuri exhibits products chosen by Hands' buyers as the best stationery based on popularity, aesthetics, functionality, and more.

This year's theme is "study". There are several opportunities in different Tokyu Hands locations for you to experience, and even buy, these stationery. You can even get promotional products like picture books by special authors.

Event: LOFT Bun Fes

Just like Tokyu Hands, Loft holds its own bungu matsuri. Every year, items selected among the best stationery of the year are showcased throughout Loft branches across the country. They also have Loft-limited products you can test out and buy. This event is held during spring so keep an eye on Loft's news if you come to Japan during the spring season.

Keep Up with Japanese Stationery Online

Can't go to Japan right now? No problem! You can keep up with the Bunbougu World online! Big-name stores, local stationery shops, and even Japanese and international fans dedicate their platforms to Japanese stationery. Here are a few to start you off:

 

View this profile on Instagram

文具女子博 (@bungujoshi) • Instagram photos and videos

Conclusion

Technology has long been integrated into our daily lives, but the timeless appeal of Japanese stationery stands out as a testament to craftsmanship, innovation, and aesthetic beauty.

Whether you're jotting down notes, sketching ideas, or simply reveling in the tactile pleasure of writing, Japanese stationery elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary. It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned crafting pro or a person who just needs something for the office, trying out Japanese stationery is always a great idea.

 Also Read: BEST JAPANESE STATIONERY AND ART SUPPLY STORES