Hobonichi Graph Notebook (A5) - Thin Tomoe River Paper

In this review of the Hobonichi Graph Notebook (A5) the bottom line is simple: this notebook is for people who want a slim, highly writable graph book that stays flat and takes fine pens well. Built on the same Tomoe River paper used in the Hobonichi Techo, it offers an unusually smooth, thin sheet that resists bleed-through while keeping the overall volume to a mere 10mm thickness. For planners, sketchers, and note-takers who like to customize layouts and archive pages without a bulky book, this notebook delivers the clearest single reason to buy: excellent paper in a compact, lay-flat format.

Key Features

• Thin and durable paper: The Tomoe River pages are light yet resilient, providing a smooth surface that minimizes bleed-through for most inks and produces crisp pen strokes.
• 288 pages and lay-flat binding: Thread-stitch binding keeps the book open without pressing, letting users write across the gutter comfortably and use all available space.
• 0.1 inch grid: The 3.7 mm grid provides precise guidance for drawing, writing, and planning while remaining subtle on the page.
• Colored section markers: Ink colors change every 72 pages in red, blue, green, and purple to help visually separate themes or months for easier retrieval.
• Compact dimensions: At H 210 x W 148 x T 10 mm and about 278 g, it fits easily into backpacks and larger bags without adding weight.

Who It's For

The Hobonichi Graph Notebook is ideal for fountain-pen users, journalers, and anyone who prefers a lightweight notebook that still offers many pages. Its thin Tomoe River paper and lay-flat binding suit people who write a lot or want to design bespoke planner spreads without a thick, heavy book.

Those who need heavy cardstock, waterproof pages, or very rapid ink drying for high-speed note-taking might look elsewhere; some water-based inks and wet nibs require testing on the memo pages first to ensure compatibility with the paper.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptional thin, smooth paper that produces crisp lines and resists bleed-through with most pens.
• Stays flat thanks to thread-stitch binding, making full-page layouts comfortable to use.
• Color-changed page blocks every 72 pages help organize content without tabs or inserts.
• High page count (288) in a slim 10mm profile gives a lot of writing surface without bulk.

Cons

• Some fountain pens and water-based inks may still bleed or dry slowly, so testing before regular use is advised.
• Very thin paper can feel delicate to users who prefer thicker stock for erasing or heavy media.

Specifications

Our Verdict

For anyone who values a slim, high-page-count notebook with premium writing paper, the Hobonichi Graph Notebook (A5) is a strong value. It pairs Tomoe River paper with a lay-flat binding and useful colored sections, making it a great choice for planners, fountain-pen users, and creative note-makers who want archival-quality pages without bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will fountain pens bleed through?
Many fountain pens work well on Tomoe River paper, but some wet nibs and water-based inks can bleed or dry slowly; test on the back memo pages first.

How is the book laid out?
It uses a 0.1 inch (3.7 mm) graph grid with ink color changes every 72 pages to visually separate sections.

Does it stay flat while writing?
Yes, the thread-stitch binding is designed to keep the notebook open without holding it down, allowing comfortable full-page writing.