If you’ve done any research on stationery, especially Japanese stationery, you’ve come across the brand Muji. Muji stationery is classic, minimalist, and inexpensive so, in my opinion, the jackpot of great stationery.
Get 15% off your first purchase at Muji.com.
Table of Contents
Muji is a popular variety store in Japan offering a wide selection of high-quality and stylish products at reasonable prices such as stationery, household goods, furniture, clothes, cosmetics, food, and many other useful items. You can see my list of must-haves from all of these sections Here.
It has quickly become one of my favorite stores here in Japan, and I never miss an opportunity to go in and browse whenever I pass one (or, since 2022, visit a Lawson convenience store). For me, it’s much like Target in the U.S., where I go in just to look or to buy one small item, and then I leave with way more than I need.
But, lucky for me right now, Muji products in Japan are significantly less expensive than the same product elsewhere. And while Muji sells furniture, bedding, and more, my go-to’s are always stationery because with most of the products being about $1-2 I feel like I can pick something up even if I don’t need it right now. I mean, you can always use another notebook, right?
See my other Shopping Guides:
Today I’d like to introduce the must-have Muji stationery. As I said, Muji offers a wide variety of household and consumer goods that are high quality and have a minimalist Japanese-nordic design (You’ll definitely get IKEA vibes from some of the furniture.)
But because they’re probably the most known around the world, I wanted to focus on the best of the best from their collection. It was so hard to narrow down the best Muji stationery because there are so many great options for planners, pens, sticky notes, and anything you might need for your home office or for studying.
This list will help you make your shopping list for your visit to Muji in Japan, but I’ve also linked some of the products so you can order them right now if you need to.
Read Also: Must-Have Japanese Stationery
Notebooks
The paper is extremely fountain pen-friendly and smooth. If you use a very wet pen such as a Ballpoint pen, or highlighter, the ink never bleeds through. There are so many varieties of notebooks but my favorites are the Double-Wire plain notebooks in A6. I also have the Pocketnote in A6 and Plain Notebook. But all are great options depending on your preferences.
Pens
Muji pens are absolutely everywhere. From study vloggers to instagrammers, everyone loves the simple clear tube and various colors of the Muji pens. I first tried them to see if they really lived up to the hype and they have since become one of my favorite pens. It also helps that they are so inexpensive at 90 Yen each ($0.70USD) which is outrageous for their great quality. I pick up a new pen every time I step in the store simply because of this. You can also get ink refills for 70 Yen to cut down on waste and cost. I personally think the best Muji pens are the black in .38.
Word Cards
I bought these inexpensive word cards to help study my hiragana and kanji. They are honestly one of the best Muji products simply because of their simplicity and low price. They are small, easy to carry around, and I don’t have to worry about making my own flashcards or about them getting misplaced. You can also rearrange the cards after a while with the adjustable clasp so you can make your studying more challenging.
Day Planner
Don’t let the simple design of this planner fool you, Muji makes an excellent, minimalist, and inexpensive planner: a wonderful planner in which the days of the week take up a single page, and the opposite is reserved for notes and to do lists. The clear plastic cover is made of a polyvinyl (they say you can recycle it) and is perfect for tucking away extra to-do lists.
Read Also: Guide to Hobonichi Planners
Free Planner
If you’re someone who prefers an undated planner, this is a great inexpensive option. You can fill in the dates yourself to give you more freedom and flexibility when it comes to planning. I like to use these for editorial calendars so I can start when I want to and skip months or weeks if I don’t need them, unlike for a personal planner where I am almost always writing something for each week or month.
Sticky Notes
If you are looking for something different to the standard sticky notes you can get at Target take a look at these. They are good quality, really sticky and resusible if you need to move them around, and, I think, a really great look. I prefer more neutral tones when it comes to stationery and if you do too these are for you.
Mechanical Pencils
These mechanical pencils are inexpensive and great to look at. You can get plenty of lead inserts as well. Muji also has other versions of mechanical pencils like this low-gravity one that makes it more stable to write with. The grip is also knurled to prevent finger slipping. Another smart design is at the top of the pen. The little top cap has a small display window for changing the hardness of the lead core. All you have to do to change the label is to twist the cap.
Plastic Erasers
Muji’s plastic erasers come in black and white but I just love something about the black option. They’re really high quality and super cheap so you might as well pick one, or a few, up while you visit.
Pen Case
These inexpensive pen cases can fit a lot of your pens, markers, rulers, and more. They’re easy to slip into a bag and head out. They also have a hard clear plastic option if you want a little more protection or stability for your stationery.
Ruler
Muji rulers, I think, are a really inexpensive metal but aesthetically pleasing options for any measuring or line drawing you need to do. Rulers are a necessity for bullet journaling and this one will fit nicely in your pen case. The only possible downside (if you’re American at least), is if you need to measure anything in inches then you’re out of luck. But… centimeters work just as well…
Bag Organizers
This is a controversial (can a bag be controversial?) item. It’s basically a bag within a bag. If you’ve ever been to Japan or know anything about Japanese organization you know these are pretty essential. It’s a mesh bag that you can put in your bag (there are various sizes) that help you to organize your things. This one is 1290 yen and has helped me to organize my laptop bag so my notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and power cords aren’t just floating around in the bottom.
More Great Options for your Home Office
- Countertop Dust Pan
- Erasable Pen
- Heat Proof Glass Teapot
- Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
- Drawer Organizers
- File Boxes
- Storage Containers
- Handheld shredder
Shopping for Muji Stationery
Where is Muji?
Muji is a global brand with stores in Europe, North America, and, of course, Asia. In the U.S. you can find locations in New York City, Boston, and Portland. In Canada there are many locations in Toronto and Vancouver.
In Australia, you can find stores in Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. The U.K. has stores in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. For find a store near you check Here.
If you’re in Japan, some of the best locations are:
- The 7-story flagship store in Ginza (about 10-15 minute walk from Tokyo station), with a diner in the basement level, bakery, huge book selection, bicycle rentals, kid’s play area, and hotel on the 6th floor. If you love Muji this is your dream.
- Muji Shibuya. The great thing about the Shibuya location is it’s connected to huge Loft store. So you can get your fix of great Muji Stationery, as well as stationery like Hobonichi and Traveler’s Notebook as well as other home goods.
- Muji Ariake is location in the Tokyo Bay Area (great if you’re visiting Disney) and is the largest Muji in the Kanto region. This store has all of your favorite Muji items plus home building (?) bulk food (nuts, rice, pasta, candy), a tea blending service, and bulk cleaning and detergent purchases.
Also, as of May 2022, select Muji items, especially stationery, packed sauces, and baked goods, as well as beauty products and some clothing basics will be available in Lawson convenience stores. As of writing (June 2022) they’re primarily in Tokyo prefecture and the Kanto region but will be in every convenience store in Japan by 2023.
Learn more about Shopping at Muji In Japan, Here.
Shopping Online
You can shop at the Muji US Site, Amazon, Stationery Pal, Etsy, and more.
If you shop at Muji.com use my referral link for 15% off your first order.
This list is by no means exhaustive of the Muji Stationery because there are just so many great things to find. But you can always come to Japan or search their online catalog yourself to see what sparks joy (yes I did just quote Marie Kondo because Muji just reminds me of her so much.).
