Hobonichi 2024 Original Book A6 [Japanese Edition April Start]

This original form of the Hobonichi Techo has been loved by many users since its introduction in 2002; the 2024 edition marks the techo’s 23rd year. Its daily pages offer plenty of space to fill despite the book’s compact A6 size. The graph paper offers an open layout for you to neatly lay out writings, clippings, and drawings. The daily quotes also provide users with interesting reading material. The book is designed to be paired with a cover of your choice.

• Practical one page per day style
• Opens flat 180 degrees
• Pair it with your favourite cover
• Monday start 
• Yearly calendar spanning  Apr. 1, 2024 – Mar. 31, 2025 

After years of testing, the graph paper has been set to 3.7 mm for optimal writing comfort. The graph paper design allows users to write from any starting point on the page, and the lines have been printed in light colours so users can either customise it to their own layout or ignore it completely.

The Hobonichi Techo includes quotes specially chosen from its parent site, the Japanese web magazine Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun. Each daily page has a quote in Japanese. The Original book is available as a Monday-start week (with the words on the front cover printed in grey).

Below you’ll find a useful breakdown of the Original Techo’s features that will help you to understand how best to use your new planner. 

Book cover

The front has a soft ivory hue, and features the label “HOBONICHI TECHO 2024 original” printed in grey letters if the book’s weekly calendars start on Monday and red if they start on Sunday. The April-start version includes the label ‘spring.’ This version is the grey printed lettering on the cover, with the weekly calendars starting on Monday. 

Convenient, portable A6 size

The 105 x 148 mm (roughly 4″x 6″) A6 size is light and portable, making it easy to carry around and pull out anytime.

Perfect planner paper

The book uses thin and light yet durable Tomoe River S paper. The paper has supported the Hobonichi Techo for over 20 years with its special characteristics, but it’ll be undergoing an overhaul starting with the 2024 edition techos. The paper is more resistant to bleed through, lighter despite being the same thickness, and has a smoother surface by adjusting the fibers of the paper.

180-degree lay-flat binding

Special stitch-binding allows the planner to lay completely flat without having to hold it down.

Rounded corners

The page corners are rounded to minimise creasing and damage to the edges when carried around or stored in a bag.

Serial number

Serial numbers on the inside back cover give each planner a unique identity and make your planner your very own special book.

New in 2024

1. The bonus pages have been updated.

2. Sections added in the 2024 edition
– An Interview with Myself
– Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home
– Caring for Your Eyes

3. Sections removed since 2023 edition
– My Favorite Things
– How to Better Enjoy Conversation
– Enjoy Learning at the Hobonichi School

4. National holidays are subject to change due to law revisions.

Yearly calendar
A convenient double-page spread shows the yearly calendars for 2023, 2024 and 2025 at one glance as a useful reference when planning ahead.

Yearly index
With 2 months per page, there are 8 pages covering 16 months. The top of each monthly column includes 4 lines of space for recording things like that month’s goals or commitments, or drawing in checkboxes for a to-do list.

Monthly calendar
The monthly calendar is ideal for managing schedules. The graph paper design is lightly printed to make it easier to write in your plans and take notes in an even line. The blue grey and red print both allow for high visibility when writing in the calendar.

One day per page
The planner features a format with a page devoted to each day. There’s lots of open space to plan the day ahead and enjoy recording your memories and activities. Think of the pages as containers for random ideas, with a clear record of the date. Paste magazine clippings, ticket stubs and photos to make the techo something completely unique ― your imagination is the only limit.

Moon phase and day of the year
An illustration of the current moon phase is paired with the day of the year. The new moon (●) and full moon (○) symbols are surrounded by stars at their peak. (While the moon phase is the same across the world, the exact dates the moon phases land on are listed in Japan time.)

Old Japanese lunisolar calendar
The date of the old Japanese lunisolar calendar is also included under the day’s date. This calendar was used in Japan until 1873, when Japan adopted the universal Gregorian calendar. Some days in this lunisolar calendar are specified as standard days signifying the changing of the seasons. We’ve also included solar terms based on this ancient calendar.

To-do list
The to-do list is located at the top of the page with checkboxes for keeping track of your goals for the day.

24-hour timetable
Work and personal plans take place at different times of the day, so the planner uses a full 24-hour timetable to accommodate all schedules. Each hour is labeled with a dot, and every 30-minute mark is labeled with a line. 

The “Secret Line”
There’s also something we call the “Secret Line”: a vertical line that runs parallel along the right of the timetable. This separates the schedule on the left from the open memo pad on the right. We’ve printed it lightly enough that you can ignore it when using the page as a whole.

3.7 millimetre graph paper
The 3.7 millimetre graph paper was the result of extensive tests for an ideal size for writing in Japanese, although the size also allows comfortable writing in any language. Feel free to write along the lines of a single line or two ― or just ignore the lines altogether.

12-colour tab
Similar to a dictionary, each month is labeled with a different coloured tab on the edge of the page for easy reference, even when the book is closed. It is easy to flip ahead to write future plans, or flip back to read old pages.

Mini calendar
The daily page also includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread. The dates of the current pages are outlined.

Turning the page
This warming-up page helps you get ready for the new year. It’s a great place to write your reflections on the past year, list your goals for the year ahead, copy down important information from last year’s planner, or do anything else you need to feel prepared.

The left and right corners of the page contain calendars for the two months surrounding the book’s initial start date.

Remember This
We’ve included a page at the beginning of each month for note-taking. It includes a seasonal compendium for everyday life with information such as foods that are in season and season-specific events for modern-day life.

 

 Specifications

Size	A6 size H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 15 mm / H: 5.8″ x W: 4.1″ x T: 0.6″ *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 195 g
Main material	Paper

Size	A6 size H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 15 mm / H: 5.8″ x W: 4.1″ x T: 0.6″ *Actual book size may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 195 g
Language	Japanese
Pages	464 pages
Paper Type / Binding	Thin, light Tomoe River S paper resistant to bleeding and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size	3.7 mm *Monthly calendar pages are 3.45 mm
Start of Week	Monday-start week or Sunday-start week
Yearly Calendar	2023, 2024, 2025
Yearly Index	Feb. 2024 – May 2025 (8 pages)
Monthly Calendar	Feb. 2024 – May 2025 (32 pages)
Daily Pages	Apr. 1, 2024 – Mar. 31, 2025 (377 pages) *A blank two-page spread is featured at the very beginning of the book to provide a free area when starting out the book. *A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead. *All daily pages include daily quotes. *Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday- / Sunday-start).
Daily Quotes	One per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages	Not included
Memo Pages	15 pages
Bonus Pages	Time Table / Graph Paper / Favourites / My 100 / An Interview with Myself / Seasonal Sweets to Make at Home / Caring for Your Eyes / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Gifts / Age Table / Addresses (for 6 people) / Personal Notes
Listed Information	Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars only include full and new moon)