Curious about what happens at a stationery expo? Whether you’re a dedicated journal keeper, an avid pen collector, or simply someone who appreciates paper goods, this article is for you. Here’s a glimpse of my experience.
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8月 6, 2025
I recently attended an expo in Tokyo called Bungu Joshi Haku. As the name suggests—bungu meaning stationery, joshi meaning women, and haku meaning expo—it’s an event that aims at stationery enthusiasts, particularly women.
Attending this event had been on my list for quite some time. It wasn’t until I saw a reel on Instagram that my interest was reignited. Since tickets weren’t sold at the venue, I purchased mine two days in advance through the eplus website. It’s entirely in Japanese, so I simply used Google Translate to make the process of registering and buying a ticket much easier. I opted to pay at 7-Eleven and was charged 1,050 yen for the ticket, along with a 330 yen service fee.
The expo ran from June 26th to 29th, 2025 at Ariake Gym-Ex, conveniently located near Ariake Tennis-no-Mori Station on the Yurikamome Line. If you missed the expo, don’t worry—Bungu Joshi Haku is held multiple times throughout the year in various formats, including large-scale expos and pop-up events. For the latest information, visit their website at https://bungujoshi.com or follow their Instagram account @bungujoshi.
The Day of the Expo Event
I chose to attend the expo on June 29th, Sunday. I knew going on a weekend might not be the wisest choice, but it was the only date I had available. The moment I arrived, my suspicions were confirmed—the place was filled with a massive crowd. I braced myself for a long wait, but in true Japanese fashion, the entry process was smooth and well-managed. I was inside the venue in less than five minutes.
I was in awe as I stepped inside. Looking at the huge selection of stationery made my heart skip a beat. The décor, inspired by matsuri or Japanese summer festivals, was just as impressive. Turning right from the entrance, there stood a giant bubblegum pink torii complemented with pastel-colored decorations that set a festive mood.
With 165 shops participating, the schedule—which was from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.—felt a bit short, and I found myself wishing there was a little more time to explore everything.
Upon entry, guests were provided with a clear plastic bag to stash all the items they wanted to buy and pay for at the designated checkout area. As soon as I got mine, I dashed in and checked the brands displaying their best products and new releases. There were familiar brands like Delfonics (famed for their Rollbahn notebooks), Tsutaya, King Jim, Kuretake (popular for their calligraphy pens and markers), and Shachihata (best known for their Artline markers and stamp pads). They offered wonderful items, but I had my sights set on lesser-known or independent brands, so I browsed quickly and moved on.
That’s when I stumbled upon a stall called Pinkoi. According to my research, it’s a Taiwan-based company that curates a variety of stationery from different parts of Asia, including Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. As I approached the booth, I noticed that it had attracted a number of guests, as there was already a long line. I hesitated for a moment, but eventually queued up. Their products featured one-of-a-kind designs, especially their sticker collection. They also have these cute notebooks for journal lovers. In the end, I walked away with two adorable sticker sets.
Another thing that stood out to me was the overwhelming number of booths selling stamps. I had originally planned to buy one—specifically, the kind with a decorative border where I could jot down things like café info or small notes for my food journal. But when I checked the prices, they’re a bit steep in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong—I could tell they were well-made, so I think they’re a must-buy for someone who often uses stamps for journaling or art projects.
As I continued browsing, I came across some unique items that looked like art pieces in a museum. There was an ebi tempura-shaped pencil case, a parfait-shaped wax seal stamp, a blackboard eraser keychain that doubles as a smartphone screen cleaner, a vinyl record memo pad, and an udon memo pad. Each one was so quirky, well-designed, and amusing.
Aside from stationery hunting, visitors could enjoy other activities like stamp rallies and games. As I mentioned earlier, the expo had a matsuri theme, so there were a bunch of festival-style games to try out like blackboard eraser bowling, rubber band shooting game, and washi tape fishing. To add to the challenge, the participants were asked to collect three stamps in order to draw an omikuji (fortune slip). You could earn a stamp by winning a game. I ended up winning five out of six, so I was good to go. I handed my stamp postcard to the staff, and she asked me to pick a pencil at random. I got an HB pencil, which meant I had to take a fortune slip from the tray labeled with that type. I had such a great time playing all the games and joining the activities. It really felt like being a kid again!
Another fun part of the event was collecting freebies! Many shops were giving them away if you followed their Instagram accounts or made a purchase. I ended up with a nice haul—postcards, stickers, stamps, a notebook, and a bookmark. I was genuinely thrilled!
I honestly thought I wouldn’t spend that much on stationery since I was trying hard to resist impulsive buys (I even returned a few items before heading to the cashier). But despite my efforts. I still walked away spending over 10,000 yen—which, I admit, was quite outrageous.
Still, I’d say it was totally worth it. The whole experience was so much fun, and I didn’t mind splurging because I love stationery. So if you’re a fellow stationery lover, make sure to check out the next event—you’re bound to find things you never even knew you needed.
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