Best Japanese Fountain Pens You'll Absolutely Love

I absolutely adore Japanese fountain pens! For a long time I didn't have any in my collection. But, in the summer of 2024, I started to add them to my collection. Since then, some of them have become my daily drivers.

One of my favourite things about Japanese pens is the nib selection. Lots of Japanese pen brands offer ½ sizes like ‘medium fine’ and unique sizes like ‘music standard’, which I personally find far more fun than a standard fine or broad nib. The wide variety of pen options available from the Japanese pen market allow your personality to really shine through; both through your choice of pen and choice of nib.

There are a few differences between western brands and Japanese pen brands though. Japanese pen brands tend to make both steel nib pens and gold nib pens but unlike western brands, they tend to be totally different models. And, they don’t sell spare nibs. In western brands, we frequently see nibs available in both gold and steel for the same pen model and they sell spare nibs meaning you can always upgrade to a gold nib or swap nib sizes, if you want to swap a nib in a Japanese pen you often need to buy the same pen again in the new nib size you want. Also, Japanese brands use proprietary filling systems meaning if you have a stash of standard international cartridges or converters, they won’t work in them.

Steel Nibs - Cheaper But Fewer Nib Sizes

The Japanese pen brands really have this end of the market cornered. Most of the steel nib Japanese pens are less than $60 and are an exceptionally good writing experience. Fountain pen use is prolific in Japan meaning you will find excellent pens from Japanese pens at a variety of price points.

Pilot Kakuno

When I interview people, this is one of the most recommended beginner pens in the fountain pen world and for good reason. Pilot has managed to put an exceptionally good nib on a pen that costs less than $20 US. The three nib sizes can be a bit limiting especially as they all tend to lean quite fine and they don’t offer a broad. But, I personally believe that the out-of-box smoothness in writing experience of the nibs makes up for the lack of sizes. The Kakuno comes in some adorable colours and the demonstrator models are great if you want to see the “guts” of your new pen in action. Pilot has also included an adorable face on the nibs which is such a fun addition.

Sailor Tuzu

This is a fairly recent addition to the pen world but a really cool one. The Sailor TUZU has a grip section that you can adjust in 10 degree increments making it possible to create the perfect grip for how you hold your pen. The pen comes in three nib sizes: fine, medium, and broad. I do really appreciate the broad nib option as it is hard to find larger nib options on less expensive Japanese pens.

Platinum Preppy

Coming out in 2007, the Platinum Preppy has securely held its spot in the “low cost, great pen” market for years. The pen comes standard in eight barrel colours and three nib sizes. And Platinum has released special editions a few times over the years. Starting at $6 US per pen, it is hard to beat the price tag given the quality of a Preppy especially as they are easy to eyedropper. This greatly increases their ink capacity and removes the need for proprietary cartridges or converters.

Gold Nibs - Higher Price Tag, More Variety

Most Japanese brands include far more variety of nib sizes especially in less conventional styles than what western brands stock off-the-shelf which is a real perk.

Sailor Pro Gear Slim Or 1911S

Both of these pens from Sailor use the same 14k gold nib and grip section meaning if you like how one style fits in your hand you will probably like the other. Sailor was actually the first Japanese pen brand I added to my collection and since then the Sailor Pro Gear Slim has become a favourite. Sailor tends to come out with a new colour variation every few weeks so if nothing catches your fancy you can always wait a few weeks and see what they release next.

If you like the aesthetics of the Pro Gear Slim or 1911S but want a slightly larger pen Sailor does offer the Pro Gear & 1911L which much like their smaller counterparts, share a 21k gold nib and grip size. As someone with a hand tremor and heavier hand, I tend to prefer a 14k gold nib due to them being slightly harder than their 21k counterparts.

Personally, Sailor zoom, music, & medium-hard are my favourite nib sizes from the brand and I frequently have at least one of each inked up.

Pilot Decimo or Vanishing Point

These pens are the same internals but the Vanishing Point is larger than a Decimo and significantly heavier. I absolutely adore the satisfying clicking noise these pens make when you deploy the nib and that paired with the smooth Pilot nib makes them an exceptional writing experience. The pens all feature an 18k gold nib

For me the only real downside of these pens is the converter they fit. Both pens only fit the CON-40 which is nearly impossible to get a full fill on and can even be difficult to fill with a syringe. I tend to just refill an empty cartridge when I ink mine.

Currently, my favourite daily driver is actually a purple Pilot Decimo in a medium nib that Anabelle Hiller turned into an architect nib.

Pilot E95S

This pen offers one of the few modern inlaid nibs on the market. It only comes in two colours and three nib sizes but I personally love the vintage look it has while still having a spectacular modern Pilot nib. This pen feels easy to overlook in the wide selection of Pilot pens but it is an exceptional choice for anyone who wants to add a pen that looks vintage without the stress of actual vintage in their pen case.

Platinum 3776 Century

I confess that I overlooked this pen for a long time! I was attracted to the black version but it looked so similar to the Montblanc 146 - a pen I adore - that I never picked up a 3776. This changed at the 2025 Chicago Pen Show.   I finally added the 3776 to my collection and I am so happy I did.

Platinum offers this pen in both resin and celluloid variation. These come in at varying price points, from a few hundred dollars to over $1000 US. They also have an exceptional offering of 14k gold nibs, ranging in size from an ultra extra fine to a music nib. The Platinum course nib (similar to a double broad) is currently my favourite nib in the Platinum lineup though I am sure a music will be added to my collection at some point in the future.

From fabulous student pens to stunning collectable pens with gold nibs, the Japanese pen market produces some truly spectacular pens at every price point.   So whether you are looking to penable someone with a Kakuno or want to experience the fantastic click on a vanishing point you will find loads of options available at Goldspot.

About the Author

Alexandra Richardson is a Canadian watercolour and fountain pen content creator. She can be found on Instagram and Youtube under @alexandrasartinsanity.

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