The Best of the Best: 2025 Japanese Stationery Award Winners Revealed!
Get your wishlists ready, stationery lovers! The results of the prestigious Bunbouguya-san Taishou (Stationery Store Grand Prix) for 2025 are finally here. This annual event is a big deal in the stationery world, where staff from leading Japanese stationery stores like LOFT, Tokyu Hands, and Tsutaya vote on the best new products of the year.
This year's winners are a fantastic mix of clever innovation, sustainable design, and pure functional bliss. Let's dive into the top award winners that are set to become your new desk obsessions.
Grand Prize Winner: Pilot KIRE-NA Highlighter
The undisputed champion of 2025 is the Pilot KIRE-NA Highlighter. Highlighting seems simple, but we've all struggled with wobbly lines and ink pooling. Pilot has solved this with a brilliantly simple innovation: a plastic guide tip that ensures a perfectly straight line every single time. The guide also stabilizes the angle, reducing excess ink and keeping your notes looking neat and professional. It's the kind of "why didn't I think of that?" invention that changes the game.
Design Award: Luddite THE POST Sustainable Leather Bendy Pen Case
For those who appreciate both form and function, the Luddite THE POST Pen Case is a winner. This stylish case is made from eco-friendly recycled leather and features a unique "bendy" design. It opens completely flat, giving you a full view of your pens and tools, and then easily snaps back into its compact, portable shape. Its elegant aesthetic and sustainable materials make it a perfect choice for the modern professional.
Functionality Award: Uni Jetstream Lite Touch Ink Ballpoint Pen
The Uni Jetstream line is already legendary for its smooth writing, but they've outdone themselves with the new Jetstream Lite Touch Ink Ballpoint Pen. This pen features a newly developed low-viscosity ink that offers an even smoother writing experience with minimal pressure. It's perfect for long writing sessions, ensuring your hand doesn't get tired.
Idea Award: King Jim HITOTOKI Kori Jirushi Ice Stamp
Winning the Idea Award is the incredibly charming King Jim HITOTOKI Kori Jirushi Ice Stamp. These transparent stamps are designed to look like little ice cubes, but their real genius is in their functionality. Because they are clear, you can see exactly where you are placing the stamp, allowing for precise positioning and easy layering of different designs. They add a touch of fun and creativity to any planner or journal.
Notable Category Winners
Beyond the top four, there were many other fantastic products recognized in specific categories. Here are a few standouts:
Mechanical Pencil Award: The Uni Kuru Toga Metal takes the famous auto-rotating lead mechanism to a new level of premium quality with a sleek, full-metal body.
Fountain Pen Award: The Sailor TUZU Adjust Fountain Pen is perfect for both beginners and enthusiasts, featuring an innovative adjustable nib angle to suit your personal writing style.
Color Pen Award: The Sun-Star Decot 3 Marker is a creative's dream, featuring two colors on a single tip that can be layered to create new shades.
Eraser Award: The Seed Sakura Wood Radar combines the excellent erasing power of the Radar line with a beautiful cherry wood sleeve, making it a joy to hold and use.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Japanese Stationery Awards have once again highlighted the incredible innovation and attention to detail that defines the Japanese stationery industry. From practical tools that solve everyday problems to beautifully designed items that spark joy, this year's winners have something for everyone. We can't wait to get our hands on these and see what next year brings!
Which of these award-winning products are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!
[1]: Japanese Stationery Awards 2025: Top Winners - Zenmarket
[2]: 2025 Stationery Awards - Bungu
[3]: The Best of Japan's Stationery Awards 2025 - JetPens