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Japanese Fountain Pens

Pilot E95s Fountain Pen in Burgundy & Ivory Pilot E95s Fountain Pen in Burgundy & Ivory
$176
$220

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P60841
Pilot Metropolitan Classic Fountain Pen in Black Pilot Metropolitan Classic Fountain Pen in Black
$34
$42.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P91107
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Matte Black - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Matte Black - 18K Gold
$192
$240

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P60581
Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen in Amber with Gold Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen in Amber with Gold Trim - 14K Gold
$416
$520

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P20479
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Copper Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Copper
$26
$32.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P16934
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Blue Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Blue
$15
P19615
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Clear Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Clear
$15
P10822
Pilot E95s Fountain Pen in Black Pilot E95s Fountain Pen in Black
$176
$220

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P60838
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Red & Gold - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Red & Gold - 18K Gold
$192
$240

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P60267
Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Twilight Periwinkle Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Twilight Periwinkle
$20
P21739
Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen in Clear with Gold Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen in Clear with Gold Trim - 14K Gold
$416
$520

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P20482
Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen in Smoke with Gold Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen in Smoke with Gold Trim - 14K Gold
$416
$520

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P60490
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Turquoise Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Turquoise
$34
$42.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P91446
Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Nimbus Grey Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Nimbus Grey
$20
P21736
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Purple Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Purple
$34
$42.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P91444
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Golden Journey 2026 - Limited Edition Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Golden Journey 2026 - Limited Edition
$650
P23413
Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Rosy Dusk Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Rosy Dusk
$20
P21727
Pilot Custom 912 Fountain Pen in Black & Rhodium - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 912 Fountain Pen in Black & Rhodium - 14K Gold
$320
$400

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P13923
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Blue Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Blue
$26
$32.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P12292
Sailor Pro Gear Regular Fountain Pen in Lucky Charm 2 Translucent Clover Teal Sailor Pro Gear Regular Fountain Pen in Lucky Charm 2 Translucent Clover Teal
$200
$250

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-9700-640
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Red Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Red
$34
$42.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P91442
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Pink Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Pink
$15
P19618
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Black Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Black
$7
PLTM-PSQ-400-1-EF
Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Azure Sky Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Azure Sky
$20
P21730
Pilot Custom 743 Fountain Pen in Black with Gold trim - 14kt Gold Pilot Custom 743 Fountain Pen in Black with Gold trim - 14kt Gold
$392
$490

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P18643
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Green Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Green
$34
$42.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P91441
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Green Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Green
$15
P19633
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Purple - Fine Point Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Purple - Fine Point
$7
PLTM- PSQ-300-28-F
Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Dark Emerald Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Dark Emerald
$11
PPF-800-46M
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Blue Stone with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Blue Stone with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold
$216
$270

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P16375
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Clear Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Clear
$26
$32.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P16940
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Lime Green Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Lime Green
$26
$32.50

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P12301
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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Japanese fountain pens different from Western ones? +
Japanese fountain pens differ most from Western ones at the nib. The major Japanese brands cut their nibs in-house and grind them about one size finer, so a Japanese Fine writes closer to a Western Extra-Fine. That in-house control has earned them a reputation for consistency from pen to pen. Japan is also the birthplace of the capless fountain pen and unusual grinds like Sailor's Zoom or Pilot's Waverly, styles you rarely see on other fountain pens.
Do Japanese nibs really run finer than European and American nibs? +
Yes! A pen marked Fine from Pilot, Sailor, or Platinum lays down a line closer to a Western Extra-Fine, and a Japanese Medium sits near a Western Fine. The reason is practical: Japanese kanji characters call for thin, precise strokes, and the manufacturers cut their nibs to suit it. If you already own a Western Fine and like its width, you'll likely enjoy a Japanese Medium.
Which Japanese nib size is best for small handwriting? +
A Japanese Extra-Fine or Fine works best, because both nibs make thin, controlled lines that stay legible at small sizes. Steel-nib pens like the Pilot Preppy and Kakuno come in these sizes and are easy places to start. Remember that these grades run finer than their Western equivalents, so size up one grade if you're coming from a Western pen.
How do Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum fountain pens compare? +
Pilot nibs are glassy and low on feedback, where Sailor nibs offer the writer tactile feedback that many describe as pencil-like. Platinum sits between the two, with a firm and precise tactility. All three cut their nibs in-house. Writers often try one brand's steel-nibbed pen first, then commit to a gold nib once they know which company they prefer.
What is a capless fountain pen? +
A capless fountain pen has a retractable nib that clicks in and out with a knock mechanism, so there is no cap to unscrew. The Pilot Vanishing Point is the pen that made this design famous, and it sits with the other retractable fountain pens alongside its slimmer sibling, the Decimo. Because you can deploy it one-handed, it's a favorite for taking quick notes throughout the workday.
What drives the price of Japanese fountain pens? +
Entry-level models rely on machine-stamped stainless steel nibs and molded plastics, keeping costs negligible while delivering exceptional everyday performance. Mid-tier models like Pilot E95S introduce gold nibs, which add raw precious metal value alongside the labor-intensive tuning needed for a smoother writing feel. At the top tier sit luxury instruments coated in hand-applied urushi lacquer or decorated by master artisans using maki-e techniques, as with the Namiki line.
How does a gold nib compare to a steel nib? +
A gold nib gives you a softer, more responsive feel than steel, with tines that offer a little bounce. Japanese steel nibs work excellently, and plenty of collectors keep a steel pen permanently inked. What the jump to gold buys you is cushioned feedback that some writers love and others can't live without. If you're looking to buy your first gold nib, pens like the Pilot E95s and Custom 74 are high-value places to start.
Which ink cartridges and converters fit Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum pens? +
Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum use their own proprietary cartridges and converters, so a cartridge from one brand won't fit another. On many pens, the basic converter is included, but you can buy your converters or cartridges separately on our refills page, too. If you're unsure which refill matches which pen, our cartridge and converter compatibility guide maps it out.
Is a Japanese fountain pen a good first pen for beginners? +
A Japanese fountain pen is one of the best first pens you can buy, because the entry models are forgiving, affordable, and write reliably. The Platinum Preppy, Pilot Kakuno, and Metropolitan are the usual recommendations, all steel-nibbed and easy to manage. We've rounded up more starter-friendly picks in the beginner fountain pens collection.
Are these Japanese pens genuine, authorized-dealer stock? +
Yes. We're an authorized retailer of all the pens we sell, so these Japanese pens are genuine and backed by their manufacturer's warranty. Check for your pen's particular terms on our warranty information page.