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This is not something you will see in Japanese charts. Instead, you’re given more space to write in your own things like daily habit trackers or a daily schedule, rather than having these sections pre-set for you. You can also create a planner using different workbooks, such as the Jibun Techo First Kit, which is like refillable books Filofax-style systems But with a cooler aesthetic.
As I got used to using Japanese planners, I found that I preferred their open customization. If my goals change during the year, I’m not locked into a concept I set up in January – it gives me a real fresh start to each month, week and day.
Which ones are worth buying?
I’ve tried a few different Japanese planners in the past year. Here are the items I will continue to use in 2026.
Hoponichi
While Hobonichi’s beloved flagship is undoubtedly the OG Techo, I love my cousin the Techo. It adds weekly space to the front of the planner, and the A5 size is perfect for me to have enough space to write down my daily essentials. This includes my work tasks, personal tasks, tracking my habits, my agenda for the day, and there is still room for other miscellaneous lists or reflections without having to purchase an additional notebook.
The regular Techo book is cheaper because it skips the weekly spread (which you don’t really need, because it’s in the front of the book, separate from the daily spread, and easy to forget). It’s also a little smaller, at A6 instead of A5. I really like the A5 size, but the regular Techo is a great, affordable place to start if you want to see if Japanese planners are right for you.
Kokuyo gibbon
As someone who already has a favorite weekly planner, I was surprised to find myself falling in love with the Kokuyo Jibun Techo. I got the first set for 2026, which included the last two months of 2025, so I’ve already been able to start testing it out in my daily life. It is rare among Japanese planners because it has three notebooks built into it: Diary, Life and Ideas. The journal is the true planner part with monthly and weekly spreads, plus other pages like a book list, money tracker, and project tracker (which has become my habit tracker). The Life Booklet contains more quick pages, such as 100 Wishes, places to track information about your life, including a password manager and anniversaries list, and space to record your life events between ages 0 and 99. Finally, the idea notebook in the back is just grid paper where you can write down lists and ideas to your heart’s content.
All three books are nested in the cover to act as one planner, but you can remove and refill one at any time. It’s a really useful system, especially since one will definitely need to refill the idea booklet before the year is out. I got the slim size B6, which is a really nice size that fits on my desk.
Midori
Midori notebooks are very popular, especially those with MD paper. Described as versatile, the paper feels versatile, but it also feels a little thicker and closer to a regular notebook than the ultra-thin paper you’d get in a Hobonichi or Kokuyo Jibun planner. It still feels smoother than US charts, although the paper weight feels similar.
I’m testing both MD Diary and Stand+ Notebook, and I really like how the Stand+ is created to stand on its own; It makes for a more fun way to view my to-do list. There is a monthly calendar on the front and then gridded paper pages beyond for free notes and lists. The diary has a similar look and design, but instead of grid paper, it has lines. The lines are wide, which is good if you have large handwriting, but it doesn’t feel like enough room for me given the notebook’s small size.
Are these planners only available in Japanese?
If you’re worried that you won’t be able to read Japanese characters in the Japanese chart, good news! Some of these planners also have English versions or use English phrases. I have Hobonichi English versions on AmazonJibun Techo uses English titles on its pages. For Gibbon, I still have to look up some translations since the descriptions under those titles are in Japanese, but I can usually deduce how to use the page from the title and layout. JetPens has an entire page dedicated to Jibun Techo translation here.
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