Hey! I’m Hiro from the overseas sales team. On January 10th, the Hobonichi Techo Meeting Caravan visited Harrogate, a historic spa town in the north of the UK.

Harrogate is a place where stately stone buildings sit peacefully among lush green parks. Just taking a stroll through the streets naturally makes you feel like you are beginning to take slower, deeper breaths.


↑We came in the middle of a cold snap. This was midday, but it was still so chilly.

The event took place at Art from the Heart, a local stationery shop that carries Hobonichi Techo products.




↑The shop is tucked inside a lively complex alongside a sports gym, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dojo, and even a climbing center.

The shop is bursting with art supplies and stationery! You’ll find something to smile about in every single nook and cranny.





We held the event in their workshop area, next door to the main shop.



You can tell from the works decorating the walls that this is a space where creative ideas are constantly being shared and exchanged.

We hosted two sessions—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—with a total of ten people joining us. To start things off, I gave a little introduction to Hobonichi using a special “Kamishibai” (storytelling cards) that I’d made.



I shared the story of how the Hobonichi Techo first began and how it has grown over the years. I also talked a little bit about some of the other projects we work on besides the techo.

After that, it was time for the main event. We sat around the corner of the table with our techos open and took turns speaking, freely sharing our stories and tips on how to use them.

There were some nerves at the beginning, but with each person that spoke, the room grew more relaxed.

One participant shared, “I’m actually not very good with blank pages.”



When a stretch of days goes by where they can't find anything to write, instead of using words, they apparently fill the pages with things like patterns from envelopes, newspaper clippings, or even poems created by cutting out individual letters.



Looking at pages lined with illustrations and paper ephemera collected during travels really brings those memories back to life, doesn’t it?

This participant mentioned that in the first year they used a Hobonichi Techo, they got a bit too enthusiastic and it became so chunky that they decided to stop using it by April.



I also had the same experience last year, so I can totally relate (haha).
From flowers and ribbons to buttons and even wine bottle caps, they told us happily, “Anything that comes into my house becomes material for my techo.”

We were also joined by a beginner who has been using the Hobonichi Techo for about a year and a half.



Only, what really surprised everyone was the number of techos they had. It seems they're using 10 different techos all at once!


↑They're using each techo to its full extent.

One for work, one for exercise, an idea memo, a reading log and more.

Looking at the techos and their unique relationship with them, none of us thought they were a beginner, and we couldn’t contain our admiration when we found out.

They gave another impressive hint for continuing your techo, too: “I leave my techo open on my dining room table.”

By leaving it open in a place where you’re likely to pass through, you naturally find yourself writing in the techo more often, without having to create any special time. It was an idea that resonated with everyone present.

A mother and daughter who both love using the Hobonichi Techo apparently sit down together every Sunday to set up their pages for the following week.


↑It was such a heartwarming sight that we all couldn't help but smile.

Some people use their Hobonichi Techo as a way to have a dialogue with themselves, while others utilize it as a communication tool with those around them. That sense of freedom is exactly what makes the Hobonichi Techo so special.

A first-time user who just started their Hobonichi Techo journey this year shared these words: “I’ve decided not to try to make it perfect.”
It seems they are searching for a style that fits them best by experimenting with various uses, such as expense management, exercise logs, and habit trackers.



“I’m so happy I finally have a place to use all the stickers I’ve been stockpiling!”
The other participants also shared their own personal stories about their Hobonichi Techos in their own way.









After everyone shared their stories and techos, we had some free time to play and test out various stationery that we brought from Japan. As we spread out the stamps and washi tapes, voices rose from all over: “This is too much fun!” and “This is dangerous, I’m gonna get hooked!”





We stamped, swapped inks, and even traded little cards. It was a warming experience from beginning till end.

Finally, we ended with a group photo!


↑The participants from the 1st session.


↑The participants from the 2nd session.

Through this Meeting Caravan, I was reminded once again that a techo isn't just something meant to be kept “pristine and tidy.”

It’s fine to have blank pages, and it’s okay for them to continue for multiple days, even. It can be a tool to keep yourself organized, or a place to preserve memories, and at times, a playground. It was a wonderful time that made me truly appreciate the immense depth and versatility of the Hobonichi Techo.

A huge thank you to all who participated, and Ben, the owner of Art from the Heart, who was a wonderful host.

We look forward to meeting you again in another town someday!



●Bonus
As a token of our welcome, we gave the participants “origami cranes” made from transparent paper.


↑The material itself was quite stiff, so they were actually surprisingly difficult to fold.

Everyone was so happy to receive them, which made the whole team incredibly glad. It was well worth all those late nights spent folding them!

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