Planners & Daily Diaries

Q: Why do so many Japanese planners start in April or October instead of January?
A: Japan’s academic and fiscal year kicks off in April, so a huge chunk of planners are designed to start then. You’ll also see September/October starts, which used to be linked to the second school term. Personally, I love that there’s not just one “new year” for planners—you can reset your system when it actually suits your life. At kawaiizaki, we stock both April-start and January-start editions so people can pick their rhythm.
Q: Should I get a dated or an undated planner?
A: Dated is great if you like a built-in rhythm—it gently nudges you to show up every day. Undated gives you freedom: skip a week, travel, come back, and pick up without wasting pages. I see many creative types and irregular journalers prefer undated. At kawaiizaki, we carry both, and I usually suggest starting with dated if you’re building a daily habit, or undated if your schedule is unpredictable and you’d rather not feel guilty about blank pages.
Q: Are there Japanese planners that work well for bullet journaling?
A: Yes—and you don’t have to draw all the spreads from scratch. The Stalogy 365 Days notebook is essentially a subtle grid-dated blank canvas that bujo users love. The Kokuyo Jibun Techo can function as a structured bullet journal with its task lists and timelines. Even Hobonichi’s daily pages are often adapted for rapid logging. The key is the grid or dot-grid base and the thin, robust paper that handles markers and pens without ghosting too much.
Q: What’s the best Japanese planner for a student?
A: I’d look for something lightweight with enough room for assignments and a monthly overview for deadlines. The Kokuyo Campus Study Planner is purpose-built for class schedules and exam prep. For a more general option, a B6 vertical weekly from Nolty or a Hobonichi Weeks gives you the calendar layout in a portable body. Students often appreciate the vertical layout for time-blocking lectures, clubs, and study hours.