The Hobonichi Techo brand, a flagship product of the company founded by Shigesato Itoi, offers a variety of promotional items and freebies associated with their planners and accessories. Source [6]. Source data primarily details specific freebies available with certain purchases or as part of limited-time events, specifically focusing on the 2020 and 2021 product lineups. The available information covers free sticker sets, exclusive pens, and access to pop-up shop events. These offers are generally tied to direct purchases from the brand or specific retail partners.
Free Sticker Sets
One specific promotional freebie identified is the HWF037 Hobonichi Weeks sticker set. This set consists of 20 stickers and was distributed as part of the "Picnic 2020" freebies collection. The stickers are designed specifically for use with the Hobonichi Weeks planner, and the first image in the source listing provides a size comparison to the planner pages. Source [1].
The Shu Box, a third-party retailer, lists numerous Hobonichi Weeks kits that likely include stickers or stationery items, though the specific nature of the contents for each kit is not detailed in the source text. Examples of these kits include the "Pastel Galaxy Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Twinkle twinkle Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Spring Forward Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Summer Fun Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Onesies Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Sweet Monsters Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Wonderland Hobonichi Weeks Kit," "Holiday Cheer Hobonichi Weeks Kit," and "A Lovely Life Hobonichi Weeks Kit." Source [5].
Additionally, the source lists "Mini Mood Trackers (Hobonichi)" and "Pencil Checklists" as available products, which may be considered freebies or add-ons depending on the specific purchase context, though this is not explicitly stated. Source [5].
Exclusive Promotional Tools
The 2020 edition of the Hobonichi Techo included a promotional 3-Color Ballpoint Pen as a freebie. This pen features black, red, and blue ink with a 0.5 mm tip. The pen body is red, and the clip is branded with "Hobonichi Techo 2020." Refills for this specific pen are available for purchase in the Hobonichi Store. The specifications for this pen are: * Size: Diameter 12.2 mm × Length 144 mm * Weight: 11 g * Main material: Polycarbonate Source [3].
Pop-Up Events and Exclusive Access
Hobonichi and its retail partners offer pop-up shop events that provide exclusive access to products and customization opportunities. Kinokuniya USA hosted a Kaweco Pop-Up at the Maido Extension location from October 31 to November 9 (dates not specified for the year). This event allowed customers to participate in a "Kaweco DIY Sports Event," where they could build a custom fountain pen. Two limited colors were available: "2025 DIY Enamel Eve" and "2024 Berry." The event also featured other Kaweco releases, including the "Titanium" and "Piston Sport AL Navy" models. Source [6].
Furthermore, the Hobonichi Store typically opens for the new year in early September. In 2020, they utilized a countdown throughout August to gradually unveil new features and covers. While customers can purchase products from Amazon or Jetpens, ordering directly from the Hobonichi Store is described as a unique experience. Source [4].
Product Context: The Day-Free Cousin
While not a freebie itself, the Day-Free Cousin Size techo was introduced in the 2020 lineup. This A5-sized book is split into monthly calendars and a graph-paper notebook (171 pages, 3.7 mm squares). It includes yearly calendars, an index, and informational pages, but lacks the weekly calendar found in the standard Cousin. The notebook section features daily quotes in Japanese and a flipbook comic by Aki Kondo (creator of the "Dancing Fox" cover). The 2021 edition added page numbers and adjusted the "Secret Line" based on customer feedback. This product fits into standard A5 Hobonichi covers or specific "BS Lite" covers designed for a snug fit. Source [2].