Hey! I’m Hiro from the overseas sales team. On January 10th, the Hobonichi Techo Meeting Caravan visited Harrogate, a historic spa town in the north of the UK.

Harrogate is a place where stately stone buildings sit peacefully among lush green parks. Just taking a stroll through the streets naturally makes you feel like you are beginning to take slower, deeper breaths.


↑We came in the middle of a cold snap. This was midday, but it was still so chilly.

The event took place at Art from the Heart, a local stationery shop that carries Hobonichi Techo products.




↑The shop is tucked inside a lively complex alongside a sports gym, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dojo, and even a climbing center.

The shop is bursting with art supplies and stationery! You’ll find something to smile about in every single nook and cranny.





We held the event in their workshop area, next door to the main shop.



You can tell from the works decorating the walls that this is a space where creative ideas are constantly being shared and exchanged.

We hosted two sessions—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—with a total of ten people joining us. To start things off, I gave a little introduction to Hobonichi using a special “Kamishibai” (storytelling cards) that I’d made.



I shared the story of how the Hobonichi Techo first began and how it has grown over the years. I also talked a little bit about some of the other projects we work on besides the techo.

After that, it was time for the main event. We sat around the corner of the table with our techos open and took turns speaking, freely sharing our stories and tips on how to use them.

There were some nerves at the beginning, but with each person that spoke, the room grew more relaxed.

One participant shared, “I’m actually not very good with blank pages.”



When a stretch of days goes by where they can't find anything to write, instead of using words, they apparently fill the pages with things like patterns from envelopes, newspaper clippings, or even poems created by cutting out individual letters.



Looking at pages lined with illustrations and paper ephemera collected during travels really brings those memories back to life, doesn’t it?

This participant mentioned that in the first year they used a Hobonichi Techo, they got a bit too enthusiastic and it became so chunky that they decided to stop using it by April.



I also had the same experience last year, so I can totally relate (haha).
From flowers and ribbons to buttons and even wine bottle caps, they told us happily, “Anything that comes into my house becomes material for my techo.”

We were also joined by a beginner who has been using the Hobonichi Techo for about a year and a half.



Only, what really surprised everyone was the number of techos they had. It seems they're using 10 different techos all at once!


↑They're using each techo to its full extent.

One for work, one for exercise, an idea memo, a reading log and more.

Looking at the techos and their unique relationship with them, none of us thought they were a beginner, and we couldn’t contain our admiration when we found out.

They gave another impressive hint for continuing your techo, too: “I leave my techo open on my dining room table.”

By leaving it open in a place where you’re likely to pass through, you naturally find yourself writing in the techo more often, without having to create any special time. It was an idea that resonated with everyone present.

A mother and daughter who both love using the Hobonichi Techo apparently sit down together every Sunday to set up their pages for the following week.


↑It was such a heartwarming sight that we all couldn't help but smile.

Some people use their Hobonichi Techo as a way to have a dialogue with themselves, while others utilize it as a communication tool with those around them. That sense of freedom is exactly what makes the Hobonichi Techo so special.

A first-time user who just started their Hobonichi Techo journey this year shared these words: “I’ve decided not to try to make it perfect.”
It seems they are searching for a style that fits them best by experimenting with various uses, such as expense management, exercise logs, and habit trackers.



“I’m so happy I finally have a place to use all the stickers I’ve been stockpiling!”
The other participants also shared their own personal stories about their Hobonichi Techos in their own way.









After everyone shared their stories and techos, we had some free time to play and test out various stationery that we brought from Japan. As we spread out the stamps and washi tapes, voices rose from all over: “This is too much fun!” and “This is dangerous, I’m gonna get hooked!”





We stamped, swapped inks, and even traded little cards. It was a warming experience from beginning till end.

Finally, we ended with a group photo!


↑The participants from the 1st session.


↑The participants from the 2nd session.

Through this Meeting Caravan, I was reminded once again that a techo isn't just something meant to be kept “pristine and tidy.”

It’s fine to have blank pages, and it’s okay for them to continue for multiple days, even. It can be a tool to keep yourself organized, or a place to preserve memories, and at times, a playground. It was a wonderful time that made me truly appreciate the immense depth and versatility of the Hobonichi Techo.

A huge thank you to all who participated, and Ben, the owner of Art from the Heart, who was a wonderful host.

We look forward to meeting you again in another town someday!



●Bonus
As a token of our welcome, we gave the participants “origami cranes” made from transparent paper.


↑The material itself was quite stiff, so they were actually surprisingly difficult to fold.

Everyone was so happy to receive them, which made the whole team incredibly glad. It was well worth all those late nights spent folding them!

Hello! I’m Komata. In this Techo News series, our team members are introducing the items they're obsessed with!

... Now, I found myself in a bit of a bind. What exactly is the stationery that I'm obsessed with?

When I sat down to think about it, I realized my love for stationery falls into two categories. One is “convenient, functional tools that I use all the time.” The other is “stationery that I love simply for the fact that it exists.”

It seems a lot of the stationery I love falls into that second category. Even though I adore them! Even though I bought them on impulse back then! There are so many items sleeping in my drawers and boxes, waiting for their turn to be used. (Do you have any stationery like that, too?)



So today, let me introduce the scissors I bought purely because I thought, “I can’t resist these!” I’ve kept them tucked away for a long time, thinking I’d use them eventually, but the time has finally come for them to see the light of day!



These are “Paper Edgers” by the famous scissor manufacturer Fiskars. The blades are shaped like waves or zig-zags, allowing you to enjoy decorative paper cutting. I found them at a stationery shop about 10 years ago. I fell in love with the beautiful colors and cute shapes, and since I couldn't decide which to get, I ended up buying all five.



The more I look at these little ones, the more they start to look like a five-member superhero squad or an idol group. I think they’re quite endearing. I might start calling them “The Zig-Zag Scissor-ees.”



Let me introduce them one by one.



“Stamp,” which creates a design like the edge of a postage stamp.



“Pinking,” for a classic mountain-shaped zig-zag.



“Wave,” which creates a gentle, diagonal wave.



“Ripple,” which creates a lovely shape like small ripples on water.



“Victorian,” for creating a fancy, decorative edge.





I cut some colored cardstock for the first time in a while. Snipping away with these scissors and seeing all the different shapes emerge is just so much fun!



I let my heart lead the way as I gripped the scissors and made all sorts of shapes. They look a bit like cute stickers, don't they?



I tried pasting the cut paper into my Hobonichi Techo and writing down my schedule and to-do list. It gives the page a completely different feel—it's so fresh! I want to keep finding more ways to put them to work from now on.



Come to think of it, the Hobonichi Store also carries the colorful and cute Fun Cut Scissors by Koh-I-Noor. The soft, fluffy wave pattern they cut is really nice. Please take a look if you’re interested. Koh-I-Noor Fun Cut Scissors

Well then, please look forward to the next update!

Hello! It’s Meron. My theme for my 2026 Techo is “An easy, feel-good pick-me-up!” It’s been a month since I started using it, and I’m already feeling better. A big part of that is thanks to my stationery.



This is a series where we introduce the stationery we’re obsessed with, so let me do just that!

■Tape Cutter



I have a dedicated box for washi tape at home, but I’ve been so busy that I haven’t even been able to open it… That’s why I’ve recently fallen in love with this tape cutter◎

You just set your most-used washi masking tapes on the left and right... and snip!



It looks like a cassette tape, which is so cute, and it’s small enough that it doesn’t get in the way even if I leave it out on my desk. I like leaving it out, because having it within arm’s reach means I end up using my tapes more often.

■ Stickers that slowly lift my spirits



I decided that I wanted to be a bit gentler with myself and give myself more compliments this year, so I bought these “Reward Stickers” by Nancy Seki.

The charming lines of the eraser-stamp style and those unique facial expressions are just so good, right? I’m just waiting for chances to use them.



I’ll compliment even the littlest thing!

■Water-based Markers



I’ve been using water-based markers for several years now. It’s fun to draw lines with a Pigma pen (which doesn't smudge when wet) and then fill them in with markers, but I also enjoy quickly sketching illustrations using almost just one color.


If you scribble a few lines with the brush tip of the marker...


You can give the colored areas a quick stroke with a water brush.


Add some color to the cheeks, and it’s done in 30 seconds! The slight bleeding of the water-based ink makes it extra cute.

Stationery I’ve used

・Tombow ABT 528 (Navy Blue)
・Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush No.029 (Red)
・Staedtler Water Brush Fine Tip 949 03

Lately, I’ve been drawing a lot of quick sketches with these three. Being able to draw something cute so easily really lifts my mood!

■SALMON LOVE



Last up is my book band. I really love salmon. And one day, Kawamura from the techo team gave me this salmon band.

How cuuuute!!

I wrap the band around my techo and use the inside to tuck in stickers that don't quite fit in the pockets.



Just carrying it around makes me happy. Opening my techo makes me happy. Salmon makes me happy.

***

I’m typically the type to completely fill my pages with illustrations and text, but this year I want to incorporate more pasting and keep things easy and fun◎

Because of that, I’ve found myself with more items that I simply love the look of this year. Using them is fun, of course, but just looking at them makes me happy, too.

And those are the stationery I’m most obsessed with right now! Look forward to the next update!

Hello everyone! Can you believe it’s already February? Have you gotten used to your new techos yet? As the opening batter, let me be the first to step up to the plate and introduce the stationery I like, no—it’s a level beyond that—the ones I’m obsessed with.

Leadoff hitter, right field (writing), Kawamura. Throws right, bats left. Favorite gear: writing tools.


I tried lining up the various pens I’ve collected over the years.

I was at a loss. These are items I’ve bought domestically or internationally in cities such as Taipei, Shanghai, Seoul, Paris, London, New York, and beyond. While the feel and functionality of Japanese manufacturers are undoubtedly the best, I find myself helplessly drawn to stationery from overseas.

I have wonderful friends who send me ballpoint pens from hotels and airlines, saying things like, “You’re a pen lover, right?” So, you get an idea about how much I like stationery, and how much I have but... The one that I’m obsessed with is...

The most primitive of all stationery, the pencil.


I use a pencil extender for leftover pencil stubs.

I suppose you could say I’ve traveled far and wide, run in circles, and finally arrived back at this state of mind. If you hold it along your index finger without bending the knuckle and let it glide, you can write smoothly without applying any pressure. The silky sensation of graphite sliding across white paper and the rhythmic “scratch-scratch” sound are music to my ears. And when the tip rounds off? That’s my signal to take a break.

Grinding the pencil in a rotary sharpener with a turn of the handle feels like a fresh start. There’s something so divine about using a freshly sharpened pencil.

Computers and tablets are daily necessities, but when it comes to writing manuscripts at my desk or doing editorial work, paper and pencil remain indispensable.


I just wanted to show you this giant eraser. Also, that thing that looks like a twin-lens reflex camera is a pencil sharpener.

My techo’s current partners include a ballpoint pen and an HB pencil tucked into a “Mimic”—a celluloid pencil extender from the shop Gojuon in Ginza.

My “cleanup hitters” also include a Tombow MONO B pencil with a Faber-Castell sharpener cap and the Palomino Blackwing, which has a soft lead and an outstanding writing feel.

Recently, I read in a book that “a 1.2mm mechanical pencil allows for the fastest writing.” This gave me an uncontrollable urge for a thick-lead pencil, so I bought the Stabilo EASYergo 1.4. It’s a mechanical pencil designed for children that doesn’t cause fatigue even after long use, and the green and pink colors are lovely. They even make a left-handed version. It’s become a go-to for jotting down notes and diary entries.


I put them in a ziplock bag. It looks like they’ll be used as evidence somewhere.

I haven't exactly stored or organized these carefully enough to call it a collection; most of these writing tools were bought blindly and remain almost new. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to use them all up in this lifetime, so I’m thinking of donating them to a charity that accepts stationery. I find it hard to part with the pencils that have become tiny stubs, but I heard there are manufacturers that hold memorial services for them, so I might look into that soon as well.

Right now, the stationery I’m obsessed with are pencils and things pencil-adjacent. Tune in next time, when another member will share their current obsession!

Hello, I’m Airi from the Hobonichi Techo team.
On Sunday, December 21, we held the Hobonichi Techo Meeting Caravan in Fukui Prefecture for the very first time! This time, the event took place at Horita Life Canvasin Echizen City—a stationery shop that adds color to everyday life. The venue was chosen based on a recommendation we received from Hobonichi Techo users. For this event, four of us—Airi, Aizawa, Wakana, and Okada—made the visit. We were deeply touched by everyone’s warmth that day, so much so that we forgot all about the cold December weather.

Let’s take a look back at the day together.

●Our first visit to Fukui

It may have been raining, but with temperatures ranging from 9°C to 15°C, it turned out to be a very comfortable day.


From the left, Wakana, Airi and Aizawa. Okada met us at the closest station to the shop.



Fukui Station is full of dinosaur sculptures.

●A space filled with love for stationery

We arrived at Horita Life Canvas which is situated right next to Takefu Central Park.



Just inside the entrance, on the right, we were able to use an open, airy space filled with light from a large window.



When we stepped into the staff room prepared for us, we found the most wonderful welcome board waiting inside! We were already so grateful just to be able to use the space—being welcomed so warmly like this truly touched us. After finishing our preparations for the Meeting Caravan, we each took some time to browse the shop. The space was filled with beautiful stationery, but what especially caught our eye was this “pen street!”




I was amazed not only by the sheer variety of pens, but also by how easy they were to find thanks to the thoughtful layout.


It wasn’t just stationery, either—there were shelves lined with charming sundries and food items as well.

Here’s what I bought:



This ink is an original color inspired by Fukui’s calm, gentle scenery. Every time I use it, it’ll bring back memories of this day.

● Starting the Meeting Caravan!

Everyone arrived about five minutes before the scheduled start time, so we were able to begin a little early. Along with local participants from Fukui, we were happy to welcome those who had traveled all the way from Kyoto! We split into two tables and got started.

＼Team A／

Team A had a diverse mix of participants, ranging from a first—timer starting in 2026 to longtime users who have been using the techo for around 15 years.



This is the opening page of a participant’s techo. It was incredibly encouraging to hear them say, “I look to Instagram and YouTube for ideas on how to use my techo.”



One participant even brought along New Year’s cards from Nemukuma, as well as postcards from events held at Hobo Nichiyobi. Seeing how people enjoy Hobonichi’s content and treasure these little mementos truly makes us happy.




All the techos were so chunky!


One participant shared that they create a cohesive look by “selecting stickers that match the colors of their daily tear—off calendar”—such a clever idea! We learned so many fun ways to enjoy our techos and can’t wait to try them ourselves.

＼Team B／



At Team B’s table, it was a delightful coincidence: two participants had decorated similarly for the “Turning the page to a new year” opening page. After talking, we discovered that they were both inspired by the same YouTuber, Makko: Life with Techo and Cats.


↑Another discovery—they both use a Stappo too!





Two elementary school students also joined Team B. They shared how they enjoy their techo by drawing illustrations and four—panel comics. Their mother mentioned: "With a blank notebook, it’s difficult to store pages once they’re removed or if the size is large, but the A6 HON is easy to keep.” It was wonderful to see that the Hobonichi Techo is enjoyed by people of all ages—from kids to adults.

●Special guest: Sano from Horita Life Canvas



Sano, a staff member at Horita Life Canvas who has used a Hobonichi Techo for over ten years, popped in to join us. He shared that “Thanks to the Hobonichi Techo, I ended up in this line of work,” which was incredibly moving for us.

●Wrap things up with a group photo

The 90—minute event flew by! To wrap things up, we took a commemorative photo in front of the shop’s iconic tree with the participants and our crew.



It was a Meeting Caravan filled with happiness and gratitude.

●Bonus: The crew enjoying Fukui

Though our time was limited, we managed to enjoy a little of Fukui ourselves.


Okada joined us on the way home.




The station was full of fun photo spots.





We each enjoyed some local Fukui specialties on the Shinkansen ride home! Being a foodie, I couldn't resist, so I ate both sushi and station soba.





We received more than twice the number of applications for this event than we could accommodate, so some people were unfortunately unable to attend. We plan to hold more Meeting Caravans in various locations, so please look forward to them!

To everyone who joined the Hobonichi Techo Meeting Caravan in Fukui—thank you so much for a wonderful day!

Hi! I’m Hirano, the "last batter" (anchor) for the Hobonichi Techo End of Year Reflection series.

When I reread my techo from this year, I found that mixed in with the notes I wrote because I didn't want to forget, there were plenty of completely mysterious memos that I’ve forgotten entirely. Either way, they’d probably be a mystery to anyone seeing them for the first time, so I’ll introduce a few of them here—mixing my memories with a bit of guesswork.



First, here are the techos I used this year. On the left is my Original. This was a memo from a meeting with Itoi-san on the day we decided the name for the 2026 Hobonichi Store exclusive: "G.O.R-01." I noted down "Good Old Robot."

The one in the middle is my Weeks. This was a rough sketch I drew for the Detective Conan collaboration, suggesting we should have fun with the memo pages by filling them with illustrations—and that sketch was actually adopted almost exactly as-is.

On the right is my HON. My son drew a picture in his own techo after passing a swimming test, but he ended up tearing it out because he couldn't write the hiragana perfectly. I, his father, picked it up and pasted it here. And for the day I went to the Osaka Expo—I must have been so happy. I was so excited that I drew Myaku-Myaku.

I do draw occasionally, but among them all, this one was especially mysterious.



It’s a drawing imagining what it would look like if one of our Techo Team designer appeared on Jonetsu Tairiku (a famous documentary profile show). I have absolutely no memory of the context. We were talking about how handwriting someone’s name gives a certain impression, but there was really no reason to draw it in my planner.



Ah, I remember this one. These are notes from a meeting about making the robot. We wanted it to be able to sit side-by-side with the "Bear" paperweight we made years ago, so we went with a teddy bear pose. The note saying "It’s enough if it's useful by its weight" reflects a concern that maybe we should think a bit more about its function—but the idea was that if it’s helpful through its weight alone, then it’s not a useless thing.



"Glad I bought the Hobonichi Techo." This is a mystery without an explanation, isn't it? This was a memo from when I was talking withabout the cover of the Hobonichi Techo Guidebook. We were talking about the concept: isn't the guidebook essentially a "I'm so glad I bought the Hobonichi Techo" book? We wanted to make a guide that makes everyone who just bought one feel, "Ah, I’m really glad I chose this techo."



"In search of the ultimate Chai Tea Latte."
This was a memo I wrote while launching Yuka Nakamae’s essay series, Everyday Stars. I’m glad the first installment ended up being "Will you be dining in?" instead of the chai latte. Still... why was it chai tea latte?


An emperor penguin drawn by my son. He even wrote, "Isn’t it cute?" Yes. It is.



This is "Agenda-chan," a girl who explains the agenda on the slides during a meeting. There was no need to draw her—I really should have been writing the actual agenda instead.




"Any story that contains even a sliver of a brag is entirely boring."
During a meeting, while we were talking about how conversations between people who like each other are fun, but they stop being interesting once they turn into a lecture of self-boasting, I noted down these words from a senior colleague.

Come to remember, this year I decided to put speech bubbles around things from meetings that I wanted to remember. Since we're at the end, I’d like to share a few of them with you?like a little inventory check.
“There is no meaning in 'getting to say everything I wanted to say.’”
“People like those who help expand who they are.”
“If a story includes a doubt or a question, it will, at the very least, move the heart.”
“Being ignored is lower than being the object of anger.”
“Are you really important enough to be hated?”
“Few things look more delicious than a 'freshly fried' donut.”
“Ideas are all about sex appeal.”
“All that’s left now is to swing the bat with everything you’ve got.”
“I want to reach out and shake hands with a hand that carries its own warmth.”
“Aim for the heart.”

The 17-day "Hobonichi Techo End of Year Reflection 2025" series now comes to a close. With one week left in the year, I hope you’ll all enjoy some time rereading your own Hobonichi Techo—and enjoy looking back on your year.

Hello, and a very Merry Christmas! This is Airi from the Techo Team. With less than a week left of 2025, I can hardly believe how fast this year has flown by. I joined the Hobonichi crew in May, and these past six months have gone by in the blink of an eye.

Over the years, I’ve tried many kinds of planners and diaries—both paper and digital—but this year turned out to be the one where I managed to keep up with my techo more consistently than ever before.


This is how I usually write my techo. I keep my Drawer Pouch full of stickers right on my lap.

There were three main reasons I was able to stick with it.

1. Making it a habit

First, I created a dedicated spot for my techo along the path of my daily routine. Then, by deciding on fixed “writing times”—with a coffee in the morning, and after a bath at night—it became a habit before I knew it!

2. Adding joys to my techo time

To shift my mindset from "I have to write" to "I want to write," I started collecting incense, tea, and coffee to keep my techo company. My "techo time" starts with the excitement of choosing which one to enjoy today.
The one you can see in the back on the right is my favorite daruma mug.

3. Having a watchful eye nearby

I welcomed a small chick plushie to watch over my techo time. For some reason, being watched makes me want to try harder...! Today, it's holding an ice cream, inspired by "Happy Ice Cream." That said, some techos were easier to use than others, so I’d like to reflect on each of them.

Planners I was able to keep using

■ Health Management ＆ Positivity: Weeks

This is the one I wrote in the most this year! I use it to log my sleep and the weather, plus all the happy moments and little wins from my day.


I realized that there were many days in June when I wasn't feeling my best.

Thanks to the Hobonichi Techo App, daily logging became much easier.

I plan to continue using it in the same way next year.

■ Diary: HON (A6)

This is the one I use as my main diary.

At times, though, thinking about the text and sticker placement felt overwhelming, and there were stretches when I couldn’t write. On the other hand, some days I had so much to say that I ran out of space.

I write my schedule/actions on the left and my diary entries on the right. On the day I went to the Expo, I had far too many memories to fit!

For 2026, I'll be using the Cousin Avec to give myself more room to write and paste. I want to take it easy and have more fun with it next year.

■ Work planner: HON (A6)

Tasks and schedules are managed digitally, while I use this planner to jot down words and ideas I want to remember while staying focused on the tasks at hand.

The checkboxes at the top include non-work items, too.

In 2026, I’d like to fully use the monthly calendars, yearly index, and My100 pages that I couldn’t quite master this year.

■ Input planner: Weeks (A6)

This is where I record things I’ve taken in—radio, books, web articles, and video content.


It's too embarrassing to show you, so I blurred it.

By deciding that I didn’t need to write every day—and that I could write a lot when I felt like it—I was able to keep this going without pressure. Next year, I plan to merge elements of my reading planner into this one.

Techos I struggled maintaining

■ Reading planner: Weeks (A6)

I started this hoping to make reading a habit and keep records.

I printed book-cover stickers myself, but resizing them to fit the planner was a lot of work. Next year, I’ll use the Hobonichi Techo App’s “Memory Print” feature to make it easier.

I pushed myself too hard to write properly, and once I got tired, the blank days piled up. From 2026 onward, I’ll record reading notes in my input planner instead.

■ Work planner: Cousin

Before the A6 HON, I actually bought a Cousin for work. Thinking “bigger is better,” I chose the larger size—but soon realized that something compact suited my work style better, so I switched early on.


Sorry—it’s almost entirely blurred!

Now, I use it as a notebook for jotting down passages and thoughts I want to remember from practical and business books.

***

In 2025, I challenged myself with many different planners, and it turned into a year full of happy discoveries. By keeping a techo, I’ve become more aware of the joyful and fun moments I want to remember. I’m so excited to enjoy planners even more next year too!

That’s it for my End of Year Reflections. Please look forward to tomorrow’s post where another member will be showing their techo!

Hello! I’m Shioguchi from the Techo Team. Are you enjoying the Hobonichi Techo Reflections?

In 2025, I used three Weeks books.



(1) For work
(2) For personal life
(3) For oshikatsu (a Stan journal!)

Let’s take a look back at each one.

(1) Work

This year, I switched my main work techo to a Weeks—and it fit me perfectly. It turned out to be incredibly comfortable and easy to use.
My system is very simple. I manage my schedule digitally on my computer, so my techo is mainly for task management and notes.



At the start of the week, I write out everything I need to do on the right page, then distribute those tasks across the left pages by day. Because I can see the whole week at a glance—and because I’m not writing too much—I never found myself thinking, “I’m too busy to write in my techo.” In fact, when I was busiest, this setup helped me manage my tasks more efficiently.

This is definitely how I’ll keep using it next year.

(2) Personal

For my personal techo, I used a PAMM Weeks. I mainly used it for scheduling and general notes. Since I moved this year, there were so many administrative tasks and decisions to make, so I ended up taking lots of notes to not forget anything.



I also had more meetings outside than usual, and because I carried it with me everywhere, the compact size of the Weeks was incredibly convenient.

(3) Oshikatsu (My Stan journal!)

This was a techo I decided to try on a whim this year. For the first time ever, I made a planner just for the things I love—only fun things, nothing else. And honestly. . . it was so much fun.

Up until now, my techos were always about schedules and tasks, so I’d never really used one like this before. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it up, so I hesitated at first—but decided to give it a try. I figured a one-page-per-day techo would feel overwhelming, so I started with a Weeks instead. That turned out to be the perfect choice for a beginner like me.

I filled it with things like: my favorite artist’s schedule, concert and event memories, photos, receipts from merch purchases, and basically everything related to them.




△ I kept invoices from online purchases too. . . so my spending is fully visible. It's daunting, but maybe I’ll total it all up before the year ends. . .

I’m not very good at decorating, so I kept it simple: lots of photos, and memories written with just one black pen. But I’m really happy with how it turned out.

△ It might be hard to tell, but this is the chunkiest my techo has ever been.

As the techo grew thicker, it felt like it was filling up with happy memories—and that made me really glad. Trying new things really does lead to new discoveries. I enjoyed this so much that I plan to continue using it the same way next year.

***

Actually, during my recent Techo Kaigi, I wrote about combining techos (2) and (3) into one and planning to use just two Weeks next year. But while writing this article and reflecting on the year, I realized I actually do want to keep them separate—so I ended up adding another Weeks. . . !

△ A last-minute addition! Two Black Gingham Weeks for 2026.

Next year, I want to write a lot and enjoy myself even more.


△ And finally, the star stationery items that supported my planner time this year.

Taking the time to look back at the end of the year really is a nice thing to do.

Tune back in tomorrow for another members techo reflection!

Hey everyone, it's Liam from the Techo Team. It's nearly Christmas, have you got all your presents wrapped? Come and take a little break from the festivities and join me on my techo reflection.

Here are the techos I used this year:

I used an Original for work and a Cousin as my personal diary. Can you see them?

First of all, I'd like to take this opportunity to say "Thankyou Hobonichi Techo." Many of you may not know, but I've had a massive change this year, I joined Hobonichi! Because of that, this year became more “techo-filled” than any before. (Which makes all these blank pages rather mysterious... doesn’t it?)
Now with the thanks out of the way, allow me to introduce two of my favorite pages from this year.



If chocolate isn't chocolate, then what is it?

This may not resonate much unless you grew up in the UK, but do you know a snack called a Penguin? It’s been around forever—the kind of small reward you’d find tucked into a school lunchbox. That Penguin, however, can no longer call itself “chocolate.” Due to market conditions and the rising cost of cocoa, the amount used had to be reduced. The moment I heard that news, I must have hurriedly scribbled it down—half shocked, half exasperated. I don’t usually write in English in my techo, so realizing that this was the thing that made me do it gave me a quiet chuckle.

Apparently, if cocoa falls below a certain percentage, calling something “chocolate” is legally off-limits. I won’t get into the details here, but there’s one thing I want to say.

What a strange time we live in.
Something that had been “chocolate” since childhood—something that carried decades of identity—can suddenly let it all go, and quietly change.

Sure, it could be the inevitable result of late-stage capitalism or inflation or maybe it’s just the mood of the times.

Even the things we assume are unshakable can change before we notice. Perhaps, one day if I went home to the UK, there wouldn't be any 'home' left for me to go back to.



Thank you Jazz

In fact, even that home has undergone a big change whilst I've been away. This year, our beloved dog Jazz passed away. Another presence that was absolute—suddenly gone.
She hadn’t been in perfect health for some time, and while my mother was away on a long trip, she seemed terribly lonely. Still, Jazz endured. She waited, and waited. And a few days after being reunited with Mum, she quietly passed on.

This is the page from the day I received that news.

Being so far away, I sometimes wonder if I have the right to say this at all. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for holding on for Mum. You'll never understand how important that was for her.

I couldn’t say anything directly, so I poured all that gratitude and loneliness into this single page of my techo.

Within this page, you are still alive.
Within these words, too. I never imagined that not being able to say a proper goodbye would hurt this much and even now, it doesn’t quite feel real. But, while my cheeks are still warm with tears, let me add one more—but not final—“thank you.”

Your huge size only emphasizes the void that remains in your absence.
Thank you, Jazz.


In memory of Jazz.

Looking back, this year was filled with change.
Where I live.
How I work.
My family.
Even the country I grew up in.

Thanks to this Techo Reflection, I feel like I can finally understand—even if just a little—why I’m on this plane, heading to the UK right now, like a single puzzle piece clicking into place.

Jazz.
Hobonichi Techo.
Thank you for everything. Let's keep going into next year, too.

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This turned out more self-indulged and sad than I expected but there will be more cheerful posts from other team members again tomorrow.

Hello again. I’m Kawamura, a relative newcomer to the Techo Team.

As the year winds down, it feels like one get together after another. My right hand's on the verge of tendonitis from clutching all these sake cups... but let me take a break for my Techo Reflection.

■My 100: Just a few more to go

My main planner this year was the HON (A6).
In the bonus My 100 pages, I started—back in January 2025—writing down the films I watched, the theaters where I saw them, and occasionally a very subjective rating.

Only four films left to reach 100.

I’ve been recording the movies I watch in a notebook for about 25 years now.
Back in the day, I used to keep the stubs from advance tickets—but movie tickets these days are rather soulless...

I usually watch around 150 new releases a year, so I grumbled, “Only 100? That’s not enough... oh well,” as I started writing. And yet—here I am at 96 films. Turns out, 100 was enough.

Still, I missed plenty of movies, there's so many I wanted to see! Maybe I worked a little too much this year...

■Making frequent use of the Favorites page

I also decided to use the Favorites page to record plays, rakugo performances, and various events.

Four pages come standard. I added ten more.

Since I write things down whenever they occur to me, the entries aren’t in chronological order. Before I knew it, the pages were full, so I printed out extra sheets from Download City and pasted them in to expand the section. I also started listing the books I’ve read—or am halfway through reading.

So far, I’ve attended 60 performances and read 77 books. That number will probably climb a bit more. I thought I’d been working nonstop this year... but it turns out I was having quite a lot of fun, too.

By the end of the book, my techo had practically turned into a Favorites notebook. I enjoyed it so much that next year, I’m thinking of starting right from January and steadily keeping it up.

■So satisfying to see it all!

I also discovered the simple pleasure of visualizing things.

On the Time Table pages, I started recording my radio listening schedule—specifically, how much time I spend listening via radiko.

Written in FriXion pen so I can update it when programs change.

...I had suspected it, but now it’s obvious: from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep, my ears are ruled by the radio. Does this mean I’m not actually working that much after all!? In any case, I plan to keep listening next year, too.

■Keeping my techo on the desk at all times

I leave my techo open on my desk so I can write in it anytime. Once I did that, I found there were endless things to jot down—tiny details I’d definitely forget, sudden realizations, notes for interviews and writing assignments, and more.

Of course, I also use my phone’s memo app, but one nice thing about a paper planner is that it doesn’t show fingerprints.

Alongside my most-used pens. Since this is a work techo, weekends tend to stay blank.

And with that, I’ll wrap up my Techo Reflection here—because tonight, I’m heading off to another real-life New Years party.

I’ll leave it at that.