Hobonichi Pencil Board Yumi Kitagishi: In the Garden A5

The Hobonichi writing pad by illustrator Yumi Kitagishi features a garden scene that reads like a page from a picture book: animals gathered around a laid cake table, all rendered in a soft, narrative style. The board is made from Yupo, a synthetic paper with a smooth, slightly cool surface that performs consistently with any pen – ballpoint, fibre-tip, or fountain pen. The reverse comes in a delicate pink that echoes the calm tone of the illustration.

Features

• "Today" tab as bookmark: The tab extends sideways beyond the planner, making the current page instantly accessible – particularly useful as the planner grows thicker over the months with stickers, inserts, or tape.
• Smooth Yupo surface: Synthetic paper writes without the bounce of real paper layers – the pen glides evenly without sinking in. This is especially noticeable with fibre-tip pens and ballpoints.
• 5 mm grid on one side: Useful as a visual guide when sketching, laying out pages, or neatly positioning elements in your planner.
• Millimetre ruler on the other side: Printed directly on – no extra tool needed – for quick measurements when designing pages.
• Perfect fit for A5: 215 × 147 mm matches the Hobonichi A5 format exactly and sits flush under the page without overhanging.
• Protects pages underneath: The rigid board prevents ballpoint or pencil impressions from transferring to the pages below – especially important with softer paper and firmer writing pressure.
• Illustration by Yumi Kitagishi: Japanese illustrator with a characteristically warm, storybook-like drawing style; the garden scene depicts animal figures celebrating, rendered with rich detail and affection.

Use & Tips

• Writing on uneven pages: When you've accumulated inserts, notes, or stickers in your planner, pages no longer lie flat. Placing the board under the current page instantly creates a stable, even writing surface.
• Functional bookmark: The board stays at your current page – simply use the tab to open your planner directly to the right place.
• Grid side for layouts: If you hand-draw weekly spreads or custom grids, you can use the 5 mm side as a reference grid without putting strain on your actual paper.
• Quick measurements with the ruler print: Ideal for anyone cutting images, tape, or washi strips to size – no need to hunt for a separate ruler.
• Compatible with all common pen types: Ballpoints, fibre-tips, pencils, and fountain pens with light pressure all work well on Yupo. Fountain pens with very wet ink may take longer to dry on the smooth surface – wait a moment before turning the page.

For Hobonichi Enthusiasts

Yupo is not paper in the traditional sense: it is made from biaxially oriented polypropylene, contains no fibres, and absorbs ink differently from wood pulp or cotton paper. You don't write on the board itself – it sits beneath the page – but its surface affects the writing feel through its stiffness and uniform hardness. If you know Hobonichi Tomoe River paper, you'll notice the contrast: the board gives the pen noticeably firmer resistance than the thin Techo paper alone. This is particularly relevant for ink liners and brush pens, which can release too much colour on a soft surface.

Technical Specifications