To me, the unboxing of a highly anticipated package can be exhilarating with a hint of magic. The downside to the heightened anticipation is checking that tracking number chronically. After about two weeks of waiting (I ordered mine on August 31, Pacific Standard Time), the signature yellow package from Hobonichi finally reached my door.
The deliberation for the coming year’s set up is relatively short in comparison to last year or the year before, as the goal I have set for the coming year is to streamline my daily carry. With that in mind, I have ordered the following:
(Clockwise from upper left corner)
- Complimentary Uni-Ball 3-color Jetstream and mini butter toast plate
- A6 Original Avec Book (Japanese version)
- A6 Original (English version)
- Lapis cover
- Card case
Do not worry, I am not ambitious enough to keep two full-size planners in 2017; the Techo in English is for my sister, as part of my annual planner gifting ritual. Differed from this year when I use Weeks for work and an Original Techo as my journal, I decide to utilize the mid-line in the Techo page layout to divide work and personal, in order to consolidate numbers of objects I carry around and possess.
As mentioned couple years back, I did not limit Techo as a conventional planner where appointments and to-dos are jotted down. It morphs into a quasi-keep sake book that houses various pieces that I like to hold on. The weight of the planner, as you can imagine, increases as days pass by, which make it less feasible to carry around. To remedy the eventual bulkiness, I will give Avec another try– carry 6 months worth of accumulation is surely lighter than 12 months!
There are some subtle changes in page format. As seen below with 2016 on the left and 2017 on the right. The print color is slightly darker but nonobtrusive, and the date grid is slightly smaller. If you scrutinize the overall writing space in the coming year is also larger.
I have totally given in to the temptation of yet another cover. Different from previous years, I have opted for a printed one based on a piece from Lapis: Motion in the Silence by Junaida. The whimsical yet elegant illustration caught my eyes and something joyful to look at on those blue days. Even though the cover is made with polyester material, it did not give off as strong of a scent comparing to the Colors series.
The interior is slightly different from the Colors series that the pockets are made with faux leather. It may not feel as luxurious or wholesome as real leather, it is smooth to touch without stickiness.
As you can see from the picture above, the bookmarks do not have the signature triangle and rectangle charms. According to Hobonichi, this was done deliberately, as other details should not take the focus away from the artwork.
In a way, Hobonichi is designed with a similar principle as Midori’s Traveler’s Notebook: users will have a variety of inserts to choose from, for the purpose of customizing and consolidating. Because of my commute and work hours, I have the tendency to carry more than I need. My plan is to integrate my planner with the wallet since I carry the former almost 24/7. I cannot yet predict the outcome of this experiment, but I shall remain cautiously optimistic 🙂
Have you picked out your planner for next year? Are you modifying your current set-up?
East...West...Everywhere 
I’ve been tempted by the Hobonichi but find the cost prohibitive here in the UK. I’m sticking with my bullet journal (currently a Rhodia A5 Dotted) and my Traveller’s Journal.
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The price of Hobonichi is prohibitive even in the States, especially when compare to other Japanese planners that one can find locally. However, for the combination of set-up and paper quality, it is worth a venture, in my opinion. When I went home (Taiwan) for a visit couple weeks ago, I have seen more choices for planners, some have similar set up as Hobonichi. Bottom line, it all depends on what pleases and works for you.
Thank you for stopping by!
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