Hobonichi Pencil Board Yumi Kitagishi: Animal Condo Weeks

The Hobonichi Writing Pad by Yumi Kitagishi "Animal Condo" is a Weeks-format Pencil Board made from Yupo synthetic paper – a smooth, slightly springy plastic material with a distinctly different feel to ordinary plastic inserts. The illustration features a red-roofed building inhabited by all manner of quirky animal characters; the reverse side displays a vibrant yellow-green and shows the same house from a different perspective. The design was created by Japanese illustrator Yumi Kitagishi.

Features

• Yupo synthetic paper: The smooth, gently cool surface lies evenly under the paper and provides a defined, stable resistance when writing – no give as with softer inserts. Ballpoint pens, gel pens and fibre-tip pens glide without catching; fountain pens receive an even surface that doesn't distort the handwriting.
• "Today" tab: A tab protruding at the upper corner extends visibly beyond the planner's edge and marks the current page – no need to flip through and search once the weekly spread is already filled with entries, stickers or washi tape.
• Ruler print: A millimetre scale printed directly on the insert – useful for measuring column widths, drawing spacing or tape strips without having to pull out a separate ruler.
• Double-sided design: Front side with the red roof of Animal Condo, reverse side in rich yellow-green – both sides show the complete design and are visible when opening the planner.
• Perfect fit for Hobonichi Weeks: At 187 × 88 mm, the insert sits precisely in the Weeks format without protruding at the sides or shifting.

Use & Tips

• Writing pad for full planners: When a Hobonichi Weeks becomes uneven through sticky notes, stickers or multiple layers of ink, Yupo evens out the irregularities. The writing surface lies flat again, which makes a noticeable difference especially with fountain pens with stub or flex nibs – handwriting remains consistent.
• As pressure protection: A synthetic paper insert transfers no pressure marks to the pages underneath. Those working with firm ballpoint pen pressure, embossing pens or punching out stickers protect the following weeks this way.
• Bookmark replacement: As the "Today" tab marks the planner when closing it automatically, a separate bookmark is unnecessary. Particularly practical in covers without elastic band, where the current page might otherwise get lost.
• Ruler for layout work: Those who structure the Weeks columns with fixed grid lines, margin strips or small sketches can use the ruler print as a reference – without removing the insert.
• Ink compatibility: Yupo is water-repellent; should fountain pen ink get on the insert, it can be wiped away with a slightly damp cloth without damaging the surface.

For Planner Enthusiasts

Yupo is not paper in the classical sense, but biaxially stretched polypropylene – manufactured in Japan, originally developed for water-resistant outdoor use. In the context of a planner, this means: no moisture absorption, no warping from ink application, and a surface that doesn't fray or yellow even after years of use. The minimal thickness keeps the Weeks format compact; the insert fits into any standard Weeks cover without increasing spine tension.

Technical Specifications