Hey, my name’s Liam, and I’m new to the Hobonichi Techo team too. I’m mainly involved in various JP-ENG translations, as well as managing the English mail newsletter.

I’ve been using the Hobonichi for over six years now (I think?), but I have to admit—this is the first time I’ve ever actually sat down and thought about what to buy... my very first Techo Kaigi.

See, I’m typically quite impulsive, especially when it comes to making purchases. Before moving to Japan, I’d browse the Hobonichi Online Store, buy anything that tickled my fancy then figure out how to use them later—or give them away as gifts to friends.

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I started out with the Original, which I used to practice kanji and write Japanese sentences every day. As my Japanese improved, so did my relationship with the techo, and it gradually became my daily diary.


↑An example from my 2019 techo. I’d sit and write these for hours... 続ける限り『負け』はない。 (“As long as you keep going, there’s no defeat.”) Heck yeah.

When the One Piece Original came out, I immediately switched to that. The following year, I wanted to keep using it but missed the traditional daily quotes, so I ended up writing in both the Cousin and Original every day (yes, both as diaries). To be completely honest though, that only lasted for a little while. After moving to Japan and getting busier, I’ve seriously struggled to keep up with both.

But looking around the office, and seeing all the amazing and fun ideas on the “How to Use It” page, inspired me to try again. While I’ve since found a somewhat working relationship with both of them, that delicate balance is about to be tested...

Let me introduce you to my 2026 selection!


↑When and how did I end up with all these One Piece goods...?

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The Techos



•Hobonichi Techo 2026 Original - One Piece Edition [A6]
•Hobonichi Techo 2026 Cousin Avec Books [A5]
•ONE PIECE magazine: Hiriluk’s Cherry Blossoms [Weeks]

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m using both the Original and the Cousin.
I use the Cousin as a personal diary and the Original has recently become my go-to for work and other notes. I also carry around small notepads to jot things down whenever inspiration hits—like when I’m on the train or reading. But I think in 2026 I can do this a bit better...

First, I tend to stick all kinds of things into my Cousin, so it ends up pretty thick. Even so, I still take it everywhere with me—I love writing in cafés. That’s why next year, I’d like to try the slimmer Avec series.

Secondly, until I joined Hobonichi, I’d never actually seen someone using a Weeks. But now that I have, I can tell it’s perfect for keeping track of daily tasks and small notes.

Which, as you’ll notice, leaves the Original without a role again... and this, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why buying on impulse can be a problem.


↑Scenes from Tobichi. You can understand my difficulty now, right? All that stuff I want just lined up...

See, I only went to Tobichi to see their latest exhibition. But that shop has a strange effect on me—it’s like stepping into another dimension. No matter my intentions, I always leave with something I hadn’t planned to buy but end up loving anyway.

That’s where I first laid eyes on the Dr. Hiruluk’s Cherry Blosssoms Weeks. Before I knew it, I was standing in line with both the One Piece Original A6 and Weeks in tow.

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The Stationery
•ONE PIECE magazine: Sparkling Silver “Old Guys” Sticky Notes
•ONE PIECE magazine: Square Letter Paper to Share Your Feelings Vol. 3
•Kodomo no Kao x Hobonichi: Pochitto6 (One Piece)
•TSUKI no IRO: Uniball One 0.38mm - Set of 6 with Case Jan-June Set / July-Dec Set）(Not shown in the photo)
•ONE PIECE magazine: Stappo (Grand Line)
•And many more!

　

Over several visits to Tobichi recently, I’ve gradually picked up more and more stationery. On my last trip, I bought the Sparkling Silver “Old Guys” Sticky Notes and One Piece Pochitto6. Before that, it was the Square Letter Paper to Share Your Feelings Vol.2, and another time, Vol.3.
I think I need to stop going to Tobichi by myself... it's not good for my bank account.

How I use them

Lately, I’ve been writing lots of letters to friends, and it’s been fun to add a bit of humor and punch to them with these different stickers.


↑There’s something about these strong old characters that makes them perfect for Taro Okamoto’s quotes.

I like to write random quotes on the sticky notes and square letter paper—sometimes as conversation starters, sometimes to make a point, and sometimes just for laughs.


↑I stuck this on a letter to my friend who was visiting the World Expo in Osaka.

Stamp with Gusto!

↑I've got a DON! for any occasion.

I picked up the Pochitto6 (One Piece). I really didn’t need it—I already have the ONE PIECE Magazine: Stick It with Gusto - DON!! Sticker Set and the Hobonichi Stencil - One Piece—but after testing the Pochitto6 in person, I was moved by the richness of the colors. It’s genuinely fun to stamp with gusto!

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Finally, I ordered the TSUKI no IRO 12 Pen Set online, though they haven't arrived yet. I tried these too when they were on display at Tobichi and was really impressed with the soft colors. In the past, I’ve played around with color combinations, but I always had trouble, either I liked the color but not the writing feel, or vice versa.
I think these are just right.
Wait... am I Goldilocks?

Still, I don’t have to worry about where to keep them—I’ve got my trusty Stappo (Grand Line) to store them in!

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And that about sums up my 2026 Techo Kaigi.
Come back tomorrow to see the next one.

©Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA

---Mentioned items ---

Techos
Hobonichi Techo 2026 Original - One Piece Edition [A6]
Hobonichi Techo 2026 Cousin Avec Books [A5]
ONE PIECE magazine: Hiriluk’s Cherry Blossoms [Weeks]

Stationery
ONE PIECE magazine: Sparkling Silver “Old Guys” Sticky Notes
ONE PIECE magazine: Square Letter Paper to Share Your Feelings Vol. 3
Kodomo no Kao x Hobonichi: Pochitto6 (One Piece)
TSUKI no IRO: Uniball One 0.38mm - Set of 6 with Case Jan-June Set / July-Dec Set）
ONE PIECE magazine: Stappo (Grand Line)
Yumi Kitagishi: White Cat’s Mini Letter Set　(I didn't get the chance to introduce them, but they're so cute. It almost feels a waste to use them!!)

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