If you're serious about taking notes, planning, or even just collecting pens, you've definitely heard great things about fountain pens from folks who swear by them. They can, however, be a frightening experience for any first-time user due to the exorbitant expense of inks and the variety of nibs. Not to mention that fountain pens can be quite expensive, with dedicated hobbyists being quite fussy about limited edition pens, nibs, and inks.

The Pilot Kakuno is ideal for those looking to take their initial steps into the world of fountain pens. Not only is the price reasonable, but the pen is intended to teach you how to write with a fountain pen. The triangular grip helps you maintain the proper form while writing, and a small cheerful face on the nib reminds you which way it should be looking. When learning to write with a fountain pen, you should always be able to see the happy face so you can maintain the nib upright. For a simple refillable alternative, use a Pilot ink cartridge or purchase one of their converters to utilize specialist inks with the Kakuno.

Ratings: 4.6 stars (from 2,451 reviews)

Brand: PILOT

Price: $9.83

Instagram: instagram.com/pilot_corporation (112K followers)

Website: https://www.pilot.co.jp/

For anyone who enjoys fine-tip gel pens, the Pilot Hi-Tec C is a cult favorite. It's known for having exactly the right amount of "scratchiness" for people who prefer some type of feedback while writing. Because the tip size may be as small as 0.25, the Hi-Tec C is ideal for folks who have very small and fine handwriting. Pilot Hi-Tec C ranks 2nd on the list of the Best Japanese Stationery Pens.

Since its introduction in 1994, the Hi-Tec C (known as the G-Tec in various parts of the world) has gained a following both in Japan and overseas. The needlepoint tip features a very small revolving ball that allows the ink to flow freely from the tip. Of course, this does not mean that your Hi-Tec will bleed. The ink is sharp and clear, resists bleeding, and is smudge-proof after a few seconds of drying. You may also get a sturdier body for your pen by upgrading to the Pilot Coleto multi-pen bodies, which can accommodate many Hi-Tec C refills in a variety of tip sizes and colors, as well as mechanical pencils and erasers if you want to make a more multipurpose pen.

Ratings: 4.6 stars (from 2,307 reviews)

Brand: PILOT

Price: $3.02

Instagram: instagram.com/pilot_corporation (112K followers)

Website: https://www.pilot.co.jp/

Pilot Frixion Erasable Pens rank third on the list of the best Japanese stationery pens. The Pilot Frixion pen line is available in various sizes, ranging from huge barrels to thin 0.38-inch tips. If you're worried about making mistakes but don't like the finish of a pencil or don't enjoy seeing lines of correction tape on your writing table, the Pilot Frixion Erasable Line might be for you. For many people, this substitutes for a pencil, particularly those who take detailed notes.

The Frixion pens erase with heat, so if you need to repair an error, the friction caused by the rubber tip against the paper surface erases the ink. The majority of the sizes are available in primary colors such as red, blue, and black, but if you like a variety of colors, there is a large 12-pack available that includes various fashion colors such as pink, green, and orange! Bear in mind that if you’re looking for dark ink, these might not suit your tastes. Since they employ a very specialized ink mix that is supposed to be erased, the ink is considerably lighter than you may be used to, particularly if you enjoy gel inks.

Ratings: 4.6 stars (from 1,755 reviews)
Brand: PILOT
Price: $13.04
Instagram: instagram.com/pilot_corporation (112K followers)
Website: https://www.pilot.co.jp/

If you love having smooth gel inks that don’t skip, the Zebra Sarasa Clip pens are for you. While the pens themselves aren't very expensive, the ink is of high quality, and the pen design is rather pleasant for most users, with a rubber grip around the front of the pen where your fingers can rest during long writing sessions. It's a basic gel pen with a low price tag, so you can stock up on as many colors as you need for your planner designs or note-taking.

The Zebra Sarasa Clip's ink never skips or builds up, resulting in a highly crisp and clean writing experience every time. Zebra has created spin-off lines of its popular Sarasa ink, in addition to a variety of colors. We recommend the Zebra Sarasa Dry for left-handed writers who smudge gel inks. It has a quick-drying composition that will never smudge. If you like to highlight your notes, they also have the Zebra Sarasa Mark-on, which is carefully constructed not to bleed or smudge when used with highlighter ink.

Ratings: 4.7 stars (from 1,277 reviews)

Brand: Zebra Pen

Price: $23.85

Instagram: instagram.com/zebrapen_usa (131K followers)

Website: https://www.zebrapen.com/

All stationery addicts have probably had a Muji phase, and for good reason. Muji is undoubtedly the place to go if you like clean, minimalist aesthetics. They have a lot of high-quality things at moderate prices, especially if you have a store nearby. Their gel ink pens are available in a range of colors, which you can purchase separately if you want to stick to a particular theme or in quantity if you want to use every hue of the rainbow. If you enjoy the textured feel, the tips come in 0.38 sizes and have a slight degree of scratching against the paper.

They write smoothly on any type of paper and look fantastic in your pencil case or on your desk due to their basic style. The clear barrel lets you see what color ink is inside. The best thing about Muji gel pens is that they are simple to refill. Muji specifically designs its refills to be compatible with the majority of their pen bodies and modifies the pricing so that it's more cost-effective to replace the refill rather than purchase a new pen, decreasing the amount of plastic waste.

Ratings: 4.5 stars (from 39 reviews)

Brand: MUJI

Price: $17.98

Instagram: instagram.com/mujiusa (213K followers)

Website: https://www.muji.us/collections/pen-pencils