Hobonichi Techo
Shopping Instructions

The Hobonichi Store ships from Japan to the world.

Introduction

The Hobonichi Techo Official Store is part of the Japanese-language website Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, or “Hobonichi.” Covering subjects from the whimsical to the reflective, the website is an online magazine updated every day with articles such as interviews and essays.

The Hobonichi Techo Official Store is the place to buy the Hobonichi Techo, the Hobonichi 5-Year Techo, and accessories designed to work well with the Hobonichi Techo.

Release Date

The Hobonichi Techo lineup has
two launch dates every year.

Hobonichi Techo 2020 Release Dates
2019 September 1, 2, and 3 11 AM Japan time January-start Edition 2020 February 1 11 AM Japan time April-start Edition

*The mt series begins sales on October 4.
*The Day-Free (A6 and A5 size) books and most of the Steiff series begin sales on November 1.(See here for a full product listing.)
*Some products are only available with a January start.
*When April-start products launch, some new edition products will also be added to existing January-start products in the lineup. (More information coming late January 2019.)

Hobonichi Store Exclusives

When you buy your techo on the Hobonichi Techo Official Store, you will receive a free “Hobonichi Store Exclusive” bonus item. Bonus items vary by product.

See here for more information.

How to Buy & Basic Information

How to buy

*All Hobonichi Store orders require an account to complete a purchase. New accounts can only be made at the time of a purchase.

Add item to cart
Confirm cart contents and
proceed to check out
Log in or sign up for account
Create new account
(only required the first time)
Choose a shipping address
Select a payment method
Confirm order information and finalize order

*You can cancel your order from the account page.

See here for more information.

Payment methods

Customers can use the following payment methods for orders:

  • Credit Card
  • Convenience Store /
    Bank Transfer
    (For Domestic Orders Only)
  • Cash on
    Delivery
    (For Domestic Orders Only)
Credit Card (For International/Domestic Orders)

Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, and Diners Club

Convenience Store Payment/Bank Transfer
(For Domestic Orders Only)

These payment methods are only available for orders placed within Japan. The payment form will be included in the package with the merchandise. Payments can be made at convenience stores, postal banks, or the post office.

Cash on Delivery (For Domestic Orders Only)

This payment method is only available for orders placed within Japan. An additional handling fee of 220 yen will be added to the order. Cash only.

See here for more information.

About shipping services/delivery

Unless otherwise noted on the product page, orders are shipped out within 3 business days. Orders placed during busy times, such as release dates in early September and early February or during a restock, may take longer to ship out.

We ship all international orders using FedEx (International Priority). Please note, delivery may take longer than expected in cases where they are held for customs collection or held up by bad weather, etc.
*On July 31 2020, we changed the shipping service from EMS to FedEx (International Priority).

Domestic orders are shipped with Japan Post’s Yu-Pack service, through which delivery times (not dates) can be requested.

See here for more information.

Shipping fees

International

Orders outside of Japan will be shipped via trackable FedEx (International Priority). International shipping fees include FedEx shipping fees and a handling fee of 500 yen. Consumption tax, which is applied to sales within Japan, is automatically deducted from the product price during checkout.

International Shipping Fee
Product price
(excl. 10% consumption tax)
+
International shipping fee
FedEx
shipping fee
Handling fee
(500 yen)
=
Total amount
of charge

Actual shipping fee will be displayed before you confirm the order by payment.

How much will it cost?
Order Examples
1 × White Line: Black 1 × Pine Cover & Planner Book Set 2 × Marshmallow Cover & Cousin Book Sets 2 × Pine Cover & Planner Book Set
2 × Marshmallow Cover & Cousin Book Sets
Product Price (excl. 8% tax)
1,800 yen 4,000 yen 12,000 yen 20,000 yen
Total Amount of Charge
Asia
3,700 yen 5,900 yen 15,200 yen 24,300 yen
Oceania, North America, Central America, Middle East
4,300 yen 6,500 yen 16,200 yen 25,700 yen
Europe
4,500 yen 6,700 yen 16,600 yen 26,300 yen
South America, Africa
4,700 yen 6,900 yen 18,200 yen 29,300 yen
Custom Fees May Apply

Depending on your country, you may be required to pay customs fees when importing your order from Japan. This charge is from your local government, so customers are responsible for paying these fees.

Domestic

All domestic orders have a flat shipping rate of 770 yen (tax included).

See here for more information.

Gift wrap

Orders placed within Japan can request a gift box for an additional 550 yen per order.

The entire order will be placed into the gift box together.

See here for more information.

Returns and exchanges

Returns for personal reasons

Customers can return items within 14 days of delivery. Shipping fees will be the responsibility of the customer.

Returning/exchanging defective products

We carefully inspect all products, but on the off chance you receive a defective product, we will provide an exchange or a refund. Please contact us within 14 days of delivery.

See here for more information.

Operating system requirements

Here are the following requirements for accessing our website from computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.: (As of September 2018)

PC
Windows 10:
Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer version 11 and up, Chrome version 52 and up, Firefox version 47 and up
Windows 8.1:
Internet Explorer 11, Chrome version 52 and up, Firefox version 47 and up
Windows 7 (SP1):
Internet Explorer 11, Chrome version 52 and up, Firefox version 47 and up
MacOS version 10.10 and up
Safari version 9 and up, Chrome version 52 and up, Firefox version 47 and up
Smartphone, tablet
Android version
4.4 and up, Chrome version 52 and up
iOS version
9 and up

Useful Shopping Features

Shipment hold

After completing a purchase, you can put your order on shipment hold and have the order ship only when you’re ready. This allows you to place an order for items with different release dates and have them ship together. You can also use this feature when you’re unable to receive the package while out of town.

By placing a completed order on shipment hold, you can delay the shipment up to 70 days from the original purchase date. (The 70 day limit is not reset when turning the shipment hold off and on.) When shipment hold is on, your order is complete, but the shipping center will not send out your package. This allows you extra time to edit your order. If you do not release your order from Shipment Hold, it will automatically ship after 70 days.

See here for more information.

Introducing Hobonichi Store's
Hold Shipment Option
Reasons to use shipment hold:
  • Save money by shipping together several items with different release dates
  • Make sure order ships when you’ll be around to receive it
  • Give yourself more time to think about buying an item without having to worry about it selling out.
See here for more information.

Merge orders

Even if you have an order that has been completed, as long as the shipping status says “Order Received,” you can continue to merge more items to that order so they all ship together.

Restock notification email

When a product is sold out, you can sign up to receive a restock notification email. If the product has been confirmed for a restock, you will receive an email notifying you of the planned restock date, time, or other information.

*This service is only available for the Hobonichi Techo. Restock notification emails are not available for accessories.
*Restock notification emails are not a guarantee that an item will successfully restock or that you will definitely be able to purchase the item.
*Some high demand products may sell out shortly after the restock is released.

Favorites

You can add products to your favorites list.

*An account (free) is required to purchase products from your favorites list.

Things to Consider before Buying

-Product colors may vary slightly from images on your computer or smartphone screen due to display settings.

-Cover sizes and colors may vary slightly between products. Best efforts are made to ensure consistent sizes and specifications, but slight differences are inevitable because the covers are assembled by hand.

*The “Please Read Before You Buy” section on every product page includes important information to consider when purchasing a product.

Hobonichi Store Help See here for more information.