Bungu Joshi Haku Day

What Is Bungu Joshi Haku Day?

December 17th is "Bungu Joshi Haku Day," established by Nippan Segmo Co., Ltd., which runs Bungu Joshi Haku, one of Japan's largest stationery events, and certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. The date comes from December 17, 2017, the grand finale on which the very first Bungu Joshi Haku closed. The event is an exhibition and sale devoted to paper and stationery where visitors can buy on the spot.

Twenty-Five Thousand Visitors in Three Days

At its first outing in December 2017, Bungu Joshi Haku drew roughly 25,000 people over three days. It has been held regularly since, expanding beyond Tokyo to Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.

• Established by: Nippan Segmo Co., Ltd. (certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association)
• Origin of the date: December 17, the last day of the first event (December 15-17, 2017)
• First held: December 2017, with around 25,000 visitors across three days
• Format: an exhibition and direct sale specializing in paper and stationery
• Locations: Tokyo, plus Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and elsewhere
• Admission: despite "joshi" (women) in the name, men may attend; the official site describes it as open to all ages and genders

Try It, Then Buy It

Stationery is inexpensive per item, but it is also the kind of product people want to feel in the hand before buying. Testing and purchasing on the spot became a pleasure distinct from ordering online. Since 2023 the event has also run a stationery idea competition with university partners.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Start choosing next year's planner or notebook
• Check the ink left in your pens and stock up on refills
• Stop by a stationery counter and test pens with different writing feels
• Tidy the supplies at your desk and replace what is awkward to use

Year-End Is When Tools Get Replaced

Planners and pens alike turn over at the change of the year. December 17th is a fitting cue to take another look at the tools you pick up every single day.