Tomoe River stands as a legend among fountain pen enthusiasts. These impossibly thin sheets that somehow manage to handle fountain pens, brush markers, and even light watercolor washes without bleeding through have cultivated a devoted following. If you’re looking to experience this exceptional paper for yourself, here’s my guide to the best Tomoe River notebooks available today.
EDITOR'S NOTE
this page will be periodically updated and republished when a new notebook is added on this list. Feel free to comment suggestions in case we've missed any!
What makes Tomoe River paper special?
Before diving into specific notebooks, let’s understand what sets Tomoe River paper apart:
- Incredibly thin (as light as 52gsm) yet surprisingly strong
- Minimal bleeding or feathering with most inks
- Distinctive crinkly sound when turning pages
- Subtle sheen that highlights ink properties
- Shows off ink shading and shimmer beautifully
- Slow dry time (both a pro for showcasing ink properties and a con for quick note-taking) – many users keep blotting paper handy to manage this
This roundup focuses on notebooks with sturdy thread-sewn binding. Sewn-bound notebooks have signatures (groups of pages) that are stitched together before being attached to the spine, creating a durable structure that allows the notebook to open flat.
Nanami Paper Seven Seas
- Binding: Thread-sewn
- Paper: Tomoe River 52gsm (Sanzen version)
- Page Count: 480 pages
- Size: A5
- Layout: Varies by edition – dot grid (Crossfield), ruled (Writer), blank (Standard)
- Cover: Softcover
The Seven Seas line stands out for its thoughtful construction and impressive page count. The sturdy covers protect the delicate paper inside, while the “Crossfield” variant with its crosshatch pattern offers an excellent alternative for those who find traditional grid lines too restrictive.
Hobonichi planners and notebooks
- Cover: Varies (softcover, hardcover)
- Binding: Thread-bound
- Paper: Tomoe River 52gsm (Sakae Paper version post-2023)
- Page Count: Varies – daily planners ~400 pages, Avec splits, notebooks ~240 pages
- Size: A6, A5, Weeks (tall slim)
- Layout: Grid and date-specific (planners), 3.7mm grid (notebooks)
Hobonichi wraps Tomoe River in distinctive Japanese design sensibility. Most remarkable is how they’ve engineered their planners to remain slim despite containing a full year’s worth of daily pages, while their Plain notebook variant offers the same paper quality for general writing and sketching.
Taroko Design Enigma
- Cover: Softcover
- Binding: Thread-bound
- Paper: Tomoe River 68gsm
- Page Count: 384 pages
- Size: A5
- Layout: 5mm dot grid
The Enigma strikes an excellent balance between quality and value. Its sleek, minimalist design and generous page count maintained in a relatively slim profile showcase the remarkable thinness of Tomoe River paper.
Notebook Review: Taroko A5 Enigma Dotted (B Grade)
Galen Leather notebooks
- Cover: Leather or softcover (refill option)
- Binding: Sewn
- Paper: Tomoe River 52gsm
- Page Count: 400 pages
- Size: A5 and B6
- Layout: Blank, lined, or dot grid
For those who appreciate craftsmanship both on the page and in the object itself, Galen Leather Co. offers Tomoe River notebooks that blend function with heirloom aesthetics. Handcrafted in Turkey, these notebooks feature elegant leather covers, strong stitching, and unmistakable old-world charm.
Their flagship Tomoe River product, the Everyday Book, contains 400 pages of 52gsm Tomoe River paper in a sewn binding that lies flat for comfortable writing. Available in blank, lined, or dot grid formats in both A5 and B6 sizes, these notebooks come in softcover versions and as leather journal refills.
Notebook Review: Galen Leather Leather-Bound Tomoe River Notebook
GLP Creations “The Author” notebook
- Cover: Leatherette hardcover
- Binding: Thread-sewn and glued
- Paper: Tomoe River 68gsm
- Page Count: 192 pages
- Size: A5
- Layout: Lined or dot grid
The Author includes thoughtful details like numbered pages, a table of contents, elastic closure, back pocket, and ribbon bookmark. Its sewn and glued binding allows the notebook to lay flat and withstand frequent use, making it ideal for long-form writing at home or while traveling.
JetPens Kanso Noto
- Cover: Embossed cardstock
- Binding: Thread and glue binding
- Paper: Tomoe River S (Sanzen) paper
- Page Count: 320 pages (160 sheets)
- Size: A5
- Layout: Dot grid
Inspired by the Japanese concept of kanso (簡素)—simplicity and intentional design—this JetPens exclusive features a remarkably smooth paper that handles virtually any ink without feathering. Its accessible price point makes it an excellent introduction to the Tomoe River experience.
Desk Bandit
- Cover: Flexible yet protective
- Binding: Thread-sewn
- Paper: Tomoe River 52gsm
- Page Count: 192 pages
- Size: A5
- Layout: Dot grid, lined, or blank
This Australian retailer’s notebooks strike a perfect balance between thoughtful design and exceptional performance. With numbered pages and a table of contents as standard features, they’re ideal for journaling or everyday notes. The build quality ensures they last through daily use.
Sakae TP Tomoe River Notebook
- Cover: Hardcover (chipboard) or softcover (cardstock) with clear plastic cover
- Binding: Thread-bound
- Paper: Tomoe River 52gsm
- Page Count: 368 pages (hardcover), 160 pages (softcover)
- Size: A5
- Layout: Dot grid or blank
The standout feature is the included clear plastic cover that protects your writing investment. This practical addition has saved my notebooks countless times from coffee spills and the inevitable wear that comes with daily transport, extending the notebook’s life considerably while maintaining its pristine appearance.
Pen Gallery Live Notes
- Cover: Includes complimentary PVC cover
- Binding: Carefully stitched with binder thread
- Paper: Tomoe River 68gsm white paper
- Page Count: 288 pages
- Size: A5 (5.83 × 8.27 inches)
- Layout: 7mm lines
Created specifically for fountain pen enthusiasts, LIVENOTES are meticulously constructed with multiple stitches joining each folded set of papers. The smooth finish showcases sheen and shimmering inks beautifully, making these notebooks excellent for bullet journaling and general writing.
🆕 Odyssey Notebooks
- Cover: Celestial-themed designs
- Binding: Lay-flat stitched
- Paper: Tomoe River 68gsm
- Page Count: 300 pages
- Size: A5
- Layout: Not specified
These distinctive notebooks feature eye-catching celestial-themed cover designs. The slightly heavier paper weight offers improved opacity while maintaining exceptional performance with fountain pens, making them appeal to those who want their journals to reflect their personality.
How to choose the right Tomoe River notebook
When selecting a Tomoe River notebook, consider these factors:
- Paper weight: 52gsm is thinner, more transparent, and shows more ink properties; 68gsm is slightly more substantial
- Paper color: Available in white (brighter, shows true ink colors and sheen) or cream (warmer, reduces glare and is easier on the eyes)
- Page format: Blank, lined, dot grid, or graph – choose based on your writing/sketching needs
- Binding quality: Look for sturdy sewn binding that allows the notebook to lay flat when open
- Cover durability: Since the paper is delicate, a sturdy cover provides necessary protectionBinding**: Thread-bound notebooks lie flat but may have exposed stitching; perfect-bound are sleeker but don’t open as widely
- Cover durability: Since the paper is delicate, a sturdy cover provides necessary protection
Changes in Tomoe River paper
It’s worth noting that Tomoe River paper underwent a formulation change when Tomoegawa (the original manufacturer) sold the production rights. While the new paper (sometimes called “Sanzen Tomoe River”) maintains many beloved characteristics, some enthusiasts notice differences in texture and ink behavior.
Many notebook makers specify whether they use “original” or “new” Tomoe River, allowing you to choose based on your preference. Some manufacturers have even stockpiled original paper to continue offering notebooks with the classic formulation.
Tomoe River paper provides an unmatched writing experience, especially for fountain pen users who want to see every nuance of their inks. Whether you choose a Seven Seas Writer for long-form writing, a Hobonichi for daily planning, or an Endless Recorder for general note-taking, these notebooks offer a premium paper experience that transforms everyday writing into something special.
The tactile experience of writing on such thin yet capable paper creates a connection between writer and tool that’s increasingly rare in our digital age. That’s precisely why these notebooks have developed such a devoted following – they prove that in the right configuration, paper isn’t just a surface for writing; it’s an integral part of the creative experience.
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