Hey, it’s Hiro from the overseas sales team. Here is the report from the time the Hobonichi Techo Meeting Caravan took place in London. This is the 2nd time we’ve visited London, with the first being in November, 2024.

The event took place at October Gallery, a stately and refined space located in the heart of Bloomsbury, a district known for its academic and intellectual atmosphere.


↑The event was held on the second floor, up the stairs. While it had been drizzling the night before, the morning of the event brought a typical London cloudy sky.

The building is said to have been constructed in the 18th century, and the high ceilings create a truly historic atmosphere.



The sounds of the city fade away as you enter, making it feel as if time has stopped. It’s a space where you can truly feel the weight of history.

This Meeting Caravan was a larger event than usual, with about 25 participants per session, totaling roughly 50 guests. Because of the larger group, we tried a new format called the “Presenter Sessions.” We invited several representatives from each session to come to the front to share the stories of their techos with the group.

At the back of the room, we set up a stationery corner where guests could freely explore various tools.


↑We lined up stationery and Hobonichi Techo products we brought from Japan.

The schedule was designed to flow gently between listening to stories and engaging in natural conversation.

The London event was co-hosted by Hamed and Rousol from The Journal Shop, who have been carrying the Hobonichi Techo for many years.


Pictured left is Hamed, and to the right is Rousol
This new style of the Meeting Caravan was only made possible thanks to their incredible cooperation.

The event kicked off with a Hobonichi quiz corner hosted by Tak and Liam.



Their witty and rhythmic banter immediately relaxed the room and warmed up the atmosphere. Once the quiz ended, it was finally time for the Presenter Sessions!

Up first was Emily, who uses the Hobonichi Techo as an “everything journal.”



Photos, drawings, tickets, business cards, pamphlets from her travels—even tea bags at times—apparently everything they come across ends up pasted into their Hobonichi Techo.



Among the pages were photos of Emily’s grandmother and Emily’s own self as a child.

“I keep them there so I never forget my sense of playfulness.”
Emily’s techo holds not only happy moments but also records of difficult times, all in one book.

“The Hobonichi Techo is my safest, most accepting refuge.”

It is truly a “Life Book.” Seeing a whole life gathered between the covers made it feel like a time capsule prepared for their future self.

Jacqueline, a psychology researcher, spoke about discovering the “power of recording” through their work studying people who balance being a student with full-time caregiving.



In Jacqueline’s 2017 techo, the pages were filled with the words “Interview today” over and over again. That was the year Jacqueline landed their current job, and their career in research and education continues to this day.

“It might sound a little superstitious, but I can’t help but feel that I am where I am today because I kept writing in my Hobonichi Techo.”

Conversely, 2020—a year where childbirth overlapped with the pandemic—was a year where Jacqueline could hardly write anything at all. Even so, Jacqueline says they even reflect warmly on these blank pages, as an expression of that specific time.

“Whenever I bring it out at work along with my business cards, people always ask, ‘What is that?’”

The Hobonichi Techo becomes a conversation starter. Many in the audience nodded in agreement, perhaps having had similar experiences themselves.

Mina’s story of discovering the Hobonichi Techo in Japan in 2023 was also very moving.



During a period of struggling with perfectionism, Mina happened to pick up a Hobonichi Techo at LOFT, and it changed their life.

“Since discovering the Hobonichi Techo, I’ve stopped being so excessively obsessed with trying to be perfect.”

They’ve made it their life motto to accept their imperfections, to allow them the freedom to be more creative.


↑Mina’s harmonious collages, which look like pages from a magazine, are absolutely charming.

Nicole, an influencer, shared a surprising idea.

They actually cut an A5 Hobonichi Graph Notebook in half vertically to use it as the same size as a Weeks!



Voices of “Wow!” erupted from all corners of the room. The process of pursuing a format that is easy for you to use in your own way—that process feels a lot like life itself, doesn't it?

Next up was Gracie, who shared that “the Hobonichi Techo taught me the importance of being myself.”



After a period where Gracie couldn't move as they wished due to illness, they spoke about how their techo helped them through those difficult times.
“The Hobonichi Techo is truly special to me. It doesn’t judge. It doesn’t blame. It lets me feel that ‘if I couldn’t do it today, that’s okay.’”
Gracie mentioned that this is a feeling they’ve never experienced with any other planner.
“I know it’s just a planner. But for me, it was the first thing in my life that pushed me forward and told me it’s okay to just be who I am.”
Now, Gracie fills their techo with everything they love—favorite pop stars, their physical condition, and daily events—and enjoys every day to the fullest.



The other presenters also gave wonderful presentations.


↑Aimée has been using only the Weeks for ten years.


↑Fiona draws one picture in their techo every day. They couldn’t draw as well as they wanted at first, but after eight years of steady effort, they now create beautiful artwork.

During the Q&A section, the questions went beyond just sizes and usage. One interesting question popped up:




“Have you ever written so much that the book wouldn’t close?”
“Yes. I cut mine into four books.”
That one line sent a wave of laughter through the room.

On the topic of stickers, one participant shared a memorable thought:
“If you leave them tucked away in a drawer, you won’t use them. And if you don’t use them, good things won’t happen.”
Pasting them, failing, and having them stick out past the pages. Even those “imperfect” parts become daily memories.

As someone who keeps a collage journal myself(), I felt a renewed sense of affection for my own Hobonichi Techo.

The second half of the event was a time for free interaction.



Everywhere I looked, I saw people opening their techos and naturally continuing the conversations they had heard earlier.

↑A commemorative photo of all the participants' Hobonichi Techos lined up together. Everyone looked like a proud parent watching over their children.

Finally, we took our customary group photo!


↑The participants from the 1st session.


↑The participants from the 2nd session.

Everyone’s radiant smiles are truly wonderful.
I felt that the theme shared throughout the day wasn’t about the “correct way to use a techo,” but something more essential: “how each person engages with life.”

Books cut because they got too thick, pages covered in tape, months where nothing was written. All of it seemed like a mirror reflecting each person’s life itself. And through other people’s techos, we were able to pause and reflect on our own lives. I am so happy that such an interactive exchange was born.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, and to Hamed and Rousol of The Journal Shop!

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



●Bonus

I’m actually terrible at speaking in front of large crowds. So, on the morning of the Meeting Caravan, I walked through Kensington Gardens near my hotel, practicing my speech over and over again.

↑The park was nearly empty in the early morning, allowing me to stay focused in the clear, cold air under the winter sky.

Thanks to that effort, I managed to finish my speech in the actual event, and looking back now, I feel a huge sense of relief.

This was our first time attempting the “Presenter Session” format. The people who volunteered to present must have felt a lot of anxiety before it started. Even so, as an organizer, I’m so grateful they found the courage to raise their hands to participate as an organizer.

To everyone who served as a presenter, thank you so much!

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