Consider this the first post in my “Japan” series, because in less than two weeks I will be on the road to Japan for a two-week stationery adventure with my friends Lisa Vanness, Matthew Chen, and others. First order of business: what to pack, because - obviously - I don’t want to travel too heavy on the way over there. The goal is for the pen case to be empty going over, and full coming back!
Yes, I know that you can use your phone, but I want to be OFF my phone as much as possible on this trip, and I love being able to mark up a physical map, etc. Therefore: Guidebooks.
Purpose of this Trip: 75% Business, 25% Vacation, 100% Fun
The main event of our trip is nominally the Naniwa Pen Show in Osaka Japan. While we have additional business events and meetings scheduled over the course of two weeks, there will be plenty of time to roam, and I’m looking forward to spending two weeks nearly entirely devoted to stationery while learning more about a country I’ve never visited. For a trip like this I plan on taking a relatively light, flexible setup with a focus on travel journaling.
I’m sticking with my simple carry.
Pens: I’m Still Considering a Two-Pen Carry
Last week I did a “pen case dump” post, and at the end I teased that I would be considering a two-pen carry for this trip. Why only two pens? Because I’m going to be buying more on the trip itself, and the writing I’ll be doing is more travel journaling so I will need reliable workhorse writers that aren’t sensitive to things like temperature and air pressure.
I lean heavily on fine-tip ballpoint pens when I travel.
My two daily drivers will be a Laurett’s Waka Ebonite Ballpoint and a Pilot Custom 823. The ballpoint is a great write-anywhere pen, perfect for working on a long 12+ hour plane ride. I consider the Custom 823 an excellent choice for long-haul travel because (1) it holds a ton of ink, meaning that I likely will not have to refill until I have the opportunity to buy more ink at my destination; and (2) the pen incorporates a shut-off valve so it won’t burp ink into the cap due to changes in air pressure. If I add a third pen, it will be some sort of pocket pen that I can carry with me to carry around during the day for quick notes - probably a TRAVELER’S Company Brass Ballpoint or a Schon DSGN Pocket 6 ballpoint.
My two favorite pen cases at the moment: A Nagasawa Kip Leather Zippered Case and a Rickshaw Fillmore. Both are coming with me.
Pen Case(s): Maximizing Capacity and Protection
My everyday pen case is going to be a Rickshaw Fillmore or Sinclair, both of which are relatively lightweight, durable, and pack well in a backpack. For transporting any purchases back home (especially loose pens purchased at a pen show) I’m likely going to bring one or more larger cases such as a Galen Leather Magnum Opus or my 10-pen Nagasawa Kip Leather Zippered Case. Probably both.
Yes, that bottom pocket can hold at least two A5 or A5 slim notebooks. It can probably hold more, but I’m trying to limit weight, and notebooks are the first to go.
Notebooks: Balancing Fun with Necessity
The hardest part of any trip, for me at least, is narrowing down the notebooks. Right now I’m planning to bring two Roterfadens: an A5 to hold my planner, and my TGS25 A5 Slim to serve as my travel journal. The TGS25 will probably be on me at all times for journaling, stamp collecting, and other writing on the go. I struggle with whether to take a 6-ring binder - I usually use these for work notes. Though I hope I don’t need to do any day-job related work while I’m traveling, I may add a smaller Bible or Mini-6 binder.
Lochby recently added “A6” and “A7” Field Binders to their lineup. I may test drive one of the smaller formats on this trip.
New Travel Bag: Versatility and The Tom Bihn Synapse 25
I don’t write much about bags, but expect a full post-trip gear recap that prominently features this latest addition, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25. I purchased this bag because I needed something more compact than my 31L North Face Surge, with more exterior pockets and better organization. I didn’t want to go all the way down to a true day pack, because I fully expect to be carting around a lot of purchases at various times and I plan to bring my Rickshaw Banzai Bag as a smaller option. But the main selling point of the Synapse 25? That bottom front pocket fits as many as three A5 notebooks! I’ve been able to fit a Roterfaden A5, a Roterfaden TGS_25 A5 Slim, and another hardcover A5 notebook (though it’s very unlikely I’ll be walking around with three notebooks at once).
This backpack has five relatively large exterior pockets, including seemingly bottomless side pockets with integrated pen slots.
Keep Track of Me While I’m in Japan!
I’ll be posting more updates on this trip as the departure day approaches. Lisa and I plan to document the trip on our respective social media accounts, as well as the On The Paper Trail accounts, so be sure to follow those to keep tabs on us! In my absence, I have a team of friends and employees who will be minding the shop here in Nashville, so the store will remain fully open while I’m away. Also, the comments are open for recommendations on stores and shops to visit in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and anywhere else nearby!
The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.