Japanese stationery has a devoted following for good reason. Whether it’s the smoothness of a Uni Jetstream pen, the paper quality of a Hobonichi Techo, or the texture of a Midori Traveler’s Notebook — once you’ve used the real thing, it’s hard to go back. London has more options for finding Japanese stationery affordably than most people realize.
If you’ve been paying international shipping fees to order Japanese stationery online, or you’re new to the whole thing and wondering where to start, here’s a practical guide to Japanese stationery shopping in London.
Best Shops for Japanese Stationery in London
Muji — Multiple Locations
Muji is the obvious starting point. Most people know about the pens and notebooks, but Muji London stores (Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and Liverpool Street are the largest) also carry rulers, pencil cases, Japanese file systems, and seasonal limited-edition stationery items that don’t always make it to the UK website. Prices are reasonable — a classic Muji notebook is around £4–£8 and the gel pens are exceptional value at under £3 each.
The Oxford Street flagship tends to have the deepest stationery selection. Come mid-week to avoid the crowds.
Kinokuniya – Japan Centre Stationery
The Japan Centre on Piccadilly is primarily a Japanese food shop, but it carries a well-curated selection of Japanese stationery alongside its groceries — Hobonichi Weeks, Midori MD notebooks, washi tape, and Japanese pens that aren’t easily found elsewhere in London. Prices are fair for the import quality. The stationery section is small but excellently stocked.
Japanese Pen Specialist – Cult Pens (Online, London Delivery)
Cult Pens is the UK’s leading specialist pen retailer and ships fast to London addresses. Their Japanese pen and stationery selection is exceptional — Pilot, Uni, Zebra, Pentel, Tombow — often at prices below what you’d pay at a London boutique shop. Not a physical London location, but next-day delivery to most London postcodes.
London Stationery Show / Paper Chase Remnants
The annual London Stationery Show (ExCeL) occasionally features Japanese stationery exhibitors and is worth attending if you’re serious about the hobby. Some Japanese stationery brands use it to introduce UK distribution.
Tiger (Flying Tiger Copenhagen) – Budget Japanese-Style
Not strictly Japanese, but Tiger stores around London (several in Zone 1 and 2) carry Scandinavian-designed notebooks and stationery that appeal to the same aesthetic. For budget options, Tiger often has very similar products to Japanese stationery brands at significantly lower prices.
Chinatown and Tottenham Court Road
Several shops in and around Chinatown carry Japanese and East Asian stationery items — washi tape, decorative paper, notebooks — often at lower prices than dedicated stationery boutiques. Worth exploring if you’re looking for affordable washi tape or decorative stationery accessories.
Best Japanese Stationery Brands to Look For in London
For Pens and Writing Instruments
Pilot (G2, Juice Up, Metropolitan fountain pen), Uni Mitsubishi (Jetstream, Signo, Kuru Toga mechanical pencil), Pentel (EnerGel, GraphGear 1000), and Zebra (Sarasa, Mildliner). Most of these are stocked at Muji or available through Cult Pens.
For Notebooks
Midori MD notebooks (thick, smooth paper, perfect for fountain pens), Hobonichi Techo and Weeks (available at Japan Centre), Stalogy, Kokuyo Campus notebooks. Muji carries its own notebook range which is comparable in quality to many dedicated Japanese brands.
For Accessories and Decoration
MT Tape washi tape (Japan Centre and some gift shops carry it), Classiky wooden stationery, Hightide Penco products, and Tofficu decorative tape and clips.
Price Guide: Japanese Stationery in London
| Item | Price Range (London) | Where to Buy |
| Muji gel pen (set) | £2.50–5.00 | Muji stores |
| Midori MD Notebook A5 | £14–18 | Japan Centre |
| Hobonichi Weeks | £25–35 | Japan Centre / online |
| MT Washi Tape (single) | £3.50–6.00 | Japan Centre / gift shops |
| Uni Jetstream pen | £2–4 | Muji / Cult Pens |
| Stalogy 365 Notebook | £18–22 | Online (Cultpens.com) |
Pro Tips for Japanese Stationery Shopping in London
- The Japan Centre Piccadilly restocks stationery seasonally — visit in September for new Hobonichi releases and January for mid-year planners
- Muji’s 20% off sales (usually twice a year) are the best time to stock up on notebooks and pen refills
- The stationery community on Instagram and Reddit (r/notebooks, r/fountainpens) has active UK and London sections with tips on local finds and new stock alerts
- Kinokuniya is primarily a bookshop but worth knowing about — they have a small London selection and an excellent online Japanese stationery range for UK delivery
- For speciality items like Hobonichi Cousin or Midori Traveler’s refills, Japanese Taste and JetPens both ship affordably to London and have better stock than any London physical store
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Paying Over the Odds at Gift Shops
Some London gift shops sell Japanese pens and washi tape at significant markups — £8 for a Uni Jetstream that costs £2.50 at Muji is not unusual. Know the regular prices before browsing unfamiliar shops.
Buying the Wrong Hobonichi Version
Hobonichi comes in multiple formats — Techo Original (A6, Japanese-only), Techo Cousin (A5), Weeks (horizontal weekly), and more. Know which one you want before you go to Japan Centre, as they typically stock limited quantities of each.
Not Trying Paper Before Buying
Japanese notebook paper quality varies enormously — from standard Muji paper to the exceptional Tomoe River paper used in Hobonichi products. If you use fountain pens, check bleed-through and feathering before committing to a notebook. Japan Centre sometimes has display samples.
FAQ: Japanese Stationery in London
Where can I buy Hobonichi planners in London?
The Japan Centre on Piccadilly is the most reliable London stockist of Hobonichi products. Stock usually arrives in late September for the following year’s planners and sells out quickly.
Is there a dedicated Japanese stationery store in London?
Not a large dedicated store. Japan Centre is the closest thing, though stationery is secondary to food. For online orders with UK delivery, Cult Pens, JetPens, and Kinokuniya’s UK website are the strongest options.
Can I find washi tape in London?
Yes — Japan Centre regularly stocks MT washi tape, and some independent gift shops in Shoreditch, Covent Garden, and Notting Hill carry it. Tiger stores and Flying Tiger Copenhagen also carry similar decorative tape.
London’s Japanese stationery scene is more accessible than it gets credit for, especially for everyday items. Muji alone covers most needs at excellent value, and Japan Centre fills the specialist gap for Hobonichi, Midori, and proper MT washi tape. For everything else, Cult Pens and JetPens deliver to your door the next day. Start at Muji, graduate to Japan Centre, and treat yourself to one quality notebook from Midori or Hobonichi — it genuinely changes how you feel about the act of writing.
