Tools & Toys Report In-depth comparison of the notebooks.

TOOLS&TOYS Report 2024 Sep
How would you use them? In-depth comparison of the notebooks.

Three items are joining the Hobonichi Techo’s original stationery notebook lineup: “Hobonichi Lined Notebook,” “Hobonichi Blank Notebook,” and “Fireside Chat Notebook!” It is fun to choose from a wide range of notebooks, but some of you may be overwhelmed with which one to choose and how to use it. In this issue, we are comparing the various notebooks! We will also show you our recommendations on how to use them.

The small pals of the Tools & Toys Report
will joyfully walk you through!

: Tools The dependable member
quite familiar with the
Tools & Toys items.

: And Seems a bit too relaxed,
but actually the mood
maker
watching over
everyone.

: Toys Loves to have fun!
Always excited and full of
curiosity.

Let’s compare!Hobonichi’s
original
notebooks

There are many types of Hobonichi-original notebooks. We compared them by size, thickness, and inside design to help you choose the right notebook.

Various sizes availableSize comparison

There is a wide variety
of sizes, including subtle
differences in size!

In case you want to carry it aroundThickness comparison

1. ① Hobonichi Note
2. ② Hobonichi Lined Notebook (A5 Size)
  Hobonichi Blank Notebook (A5 Size)
  Hobonichi Graph Notebook (A5 Size) Also in the same size
3. ③ Hobonichi Memo Pad Set for A5 size
4. ④ Fireside Chat Note (B6)
5. ⑤ Hobonichi Memo Pad Set for Weeks
6. ⑥ Hobonichi Graph Notebook (A6 Size)
  Hobonichi Lined Notebook (A6 Size)
  Hobonichi Blank Notebook (A6 Size)
7. ⑦ Hobonichi Paper(s)
8. ⑧ Hobonichi Memo Pad Set for A6 size
9. ⑨ Fireside Chat Note (B7 Size)
The usage could
depend
on how
thick it is.

Number of pages, weight, and paper typeComparison of all notebooks

Product name	Inside	Size	Weight	Number of pages	Paper type	Features
Hobonichi Lined Notebook	- A6 size: 6mm width / 22 lines - A5 size: 6mm width / 32 lines	A6 size: H 148 mm x W 105 mm x T 8 mm A5 size: H 210 mm x W 148 mm x T 10 mm	A6 size: 117 g A5 size: 278 g	A6 size: 240 pages A5 size: 288 pages	Tomoe River paper	Lined notebook using Tomoe River paper with plenty of pages to write on New ruled line that reduces stress on the eyes (patented) Same size as the Original and Cousin books
Hobonichi Blank Notebook	Blank	A6 size: H 148 mm x W 105 mm x T 8 mm A5 size: H 210 mm x W 148 mm x T 10 mm	A6 size: 117 g A5 size: 278 g	A6 size: 240 pages A5 size: 288 pages	Tomoe River paper	Blank notebook using Tomoe River paper with plenty of pages to write on A plain type with more flexibility Same size as the Original and Cousin books
Hobonichi Graph Notebook	3.7 mm grid	A6 size: H 148 mm x W 105 mm x T 8 mm A5 size: H 210 mm x W 148 mm x T 10 mm	A6 size: 117 g A5 size: 278 g	A6 size: 240 pages A5 size: 288 pages	Tomoe River paper	Graph paper notebook using Tomoe River paper with plenty of pages to write on Grid color changes every 60 pages for the A6 size and 72 pages for the A5 size (from red, blue, green, to purple) Various cover designs Same size as the Original and Cousin books
Fireside Chat Notebook	Four types: Graph: 5 mm grid Lined (B7 size): 7mm width / 18 lines Lined (B6 size): 7mm width / 26 lines Dot grid: 5 mm grid Blank	B7 size: H 128 mm x W 91 mm x T 3 mm B6 size: H 182 mm x W 128 mm x T 3 mm	B7 size: 27 g A6 size: 60 g	80 pages	Tomoe River paper	Designed with motifs of Safety Match’s quotes Colorful and stylish color scheme
Hobonichi Memo Pad Set	Original and Cousin: 3.7 mm grid Weeks: 3.55 mm grid	Original: H 140 mm x W 95 mm x T 2 mm Cousin: H 210 mm x W 144 mm x T 3 mm Weeks: H 176 mm x W 80 mm x T 2 mm	Original: 24 g each Cousin: 59 g each Weeks: 22 g each	Original: 48 pages each Cousin: 48 pages each Weeks: 40 pages each	Tomoe River paper	Lightweight and thin Perfect size to fit in the cover and Weeks book Perforated for easy tear-off (Original size only)
Hobonichi Paper(s)	Blank + small illustration	H 150 mm x W 105 mm x T 16 mm	215 g	155 sheets	Woodfree paper	Thick notepad with easy-to-rip-out pages Various designs (cute covers with an accent on the inside)
Hobonichi Note	7mm width / 32 lines	H 252 mm x W 179 mm x T 4 mm (Semi B5 size)	120 g	60 pages	Woodfree paper	New ruled line that reduces stress on the eyes (patented) Five different color covers for different usages

This is how I use it!Crew members’ usages

The notebooks can be used in various ways, such as with the techo or another notebook. We gave five crew members some notebooks and asked them to introduce their recommended uses.

Shioguchi has many daily tasks, such as meetings, page structure planning, and schedule adjustments. She recommends using two items for job management: the Cousin Avec and the Hobonichi Lined Notebook. She writes to-dos, deadlines, and other information in the Cousin Avec daily pages and meeting notes in the Hobonichi Lined Notebook. Since the Hobonichi Lined Notebook is the same size as the Cousin book, you can carry them around with the Cousin Avec on the left side and the Hobonichi Lined Notebook on the right side of the techo cover.

She divides the Cousin Avec pages into three sections to write the day's work schedule.

Meeting notes are kept in the Hobonichi Lined Notebook, which allows you to write as much as you want.

You can choose from three types:
grids, lines, and blank!

This is perfect for those who
have a
lot of writing to do!
I love that you
can carry it
together in the cover.

Writer Komata suggested using two different sizes and designs of Fireside Chat Notes. The B6 size with dot grids is for travel memories, including tickets and labels, and the B7 size ruled type is for taking notes, especially about what she felt at art museums. The thinness and light weight of the Fireside Chat Note are delightful features that help you keep your luggage lighter when traveling. It is a very travel-loving style of Komata for using the notebooks.

The subtle dot grids give you the freedom of drawing, pasting tickets, and more.

The smaller B7 size is also great for quick notes at art museums.

The inside is a casual design of motifs inspired by the quotes

Look and find what
designs they have!

Designer Nanako, who is good at illustrations, used the Weeks and the Hobonichi Memo Pad Set. In the Weeks book, she writes schedules and notes for tasks on the weekly pages, while the memo pages are filled with memorable events and words that can be the source of new ideas. In the Hobonichi Memo Pad, she expresses what could not be written in the Weeks in illustrations and paper pasting. The Hobonichi Memo Pad, slightly smaller than the Weeks book, fits perfectly inside the book, making it easy to carry around.

Schedules, tasks, and idea notes are written in the dated Weeks.

She sometimes pastes some paper in the Hobonichi Memo Pad. It becomes manageable even after you paste a lot of paper on it!

The size that fits perfectly in the Weeks book

The Hobonichi Memo Pad
is ideal for writing just a
little more!

Designer Mori shared two ideas for using the Hobonichi Paper(s). One is to use it to draft designs and illustrations and paste the favorite ones on the techo. The other is to use it as a small paper for thank-you notes. The slightly thick paper would be great for handing someone a note! The plenty of sheets allow you to use them without hesitation.

It is excellent for idea notes since the sheets are blank except for the illustration.

Add illustrations while making the most of the printed parts. How vibrantly the colors of pens and colored pencils appear is also a key point.

Tearing it off gives you various options for use!

It is helpful that you can
rip them out! Use it as
much as you like.

Nishimoto, in charge of overseas sales channels, is a mother of a daughter in the first grade of elementary school. She decided to use the Hobonichi Note as an alphabet study notebook with her child. The notebook is easy on the eyes and uses ruled lines that improve concentration, making it perfect for elementary school children’s studies. She also tried using it as an exchange diary with much writing, since the notebook is less intimidating when opened. The larger size is also recommended for a children’s notebook.

Use two lines and write in large letters. Look how useful it is for small children!