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Japanese Fountain Pens

Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Herb Decoration - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Herb Decoration - 18K Gold
$1,600
P63314
Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen in Deep Sea Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen in Deep Sea
$95
PNS-5000-50M
Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Mt. Fuji Design - 18K Gold Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Mt. Fuji Design - 18K Gold
$520
$650

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

PTL-15000H-58M
Namiki Yukari Royale Fountain Pen in Black Urushi - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Royale Fountain Pen in Black Urushi - 18K Gold
From $1,600
N60530
Sailor Pro Gear Realo Fountain Pen in Maroon with Gold Trim - 21K Gold Sailor Pro Gear Realo Fountain Pen in Maroon with Gold Trim - 21K Gold
$552
$690

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

11-3926-732
Sailor 1911 Standard Fountain Pen in Ivory with Gold Trim - 14K Gold Sailor 1911 Standard Fountain Pen in Ivory with Gold Trim - 14K Gold
$280
$350

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

11-1219-417
Sailor 1911 Standard Fountain Pen in Black with Gold Trim - 14K Gold Sailor 1911 Standard Fountain Pen in Black with Gold Trim - 14K Gold
From $280
11-1219-720
Sailor 1911 Large Realo Fountain Pen in Maroon with Gold Trim - 21K Gold Sailor 1911 Large Realo Fountain Pen in Maroon with Gold Trim - 21K Gold
$552
$690

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

11-3924-932
Sailor 1911 Large Realo Fountain Pen in Black with Gold Trim - 21K Gold Sailor 1911 Large Realo Fountain Pen in Black with Gold Trim - 21K Gold
$552
$690

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

11-3924-720
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Transparent with Gold Trim - 21K Gold Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Transparent with Gold Trim - 21K Gold
$312
$390

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

11-2001-700
Namiki Emperor Fountain Pen in Vermilion Urushi Red - 18K Gold Namiki Emperor Fountain Pen in Vermilion Urushi Red - 18K Gold
$2,500
P60105
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Black with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold Music Point Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Black with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold Music Point
$480
$600

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

PNBM-25000R #1
Namiki Chinkin Fountain Pen in Dragon - 18K Gold Namiki Chinkin Fountain Pen in Dragon - 18K Gold
From $8,500
P13553
Pilot Custom Urushi Fountain Pen in Vermillion Red Barrel - 18K Gold Pilot Custom Urushi Fountain Pen in Vermillion Red Barrel - 18K Gold
$1,700
P12038
Pilot Metal Falcon Fountain Pen in Black - Soft Flexible Pilot Metal Falcon Fountain Pen in Black - Soft Flexible
$304
$380

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

P60670
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Red Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Red
From $25
P12295
Pilot Custom Urushi Fountain Pen in Black & Gold Trim - 18K Gold Pilot Custom Urushi Fountain Pen in Black & Gold Trim - 18K Gold
$1,700
P71655
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Light Blue - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Light Blue - 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.

P65345
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Gunmetal Gray & Rhodium - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Gunmetal Gray & Rhodium - 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.

P60533
Pilot Custom 845 Fountain Pen in Black Urushi Pilot Custom 845 Fountain Pen in Black Urushi
$1,000
P20593
Pilot Custom 845 Fountain Pen in Vermillion Urushi Pilot Custom 845 Fountain Pen in Vermillion Urushi
$1,000
P20596
Pilot Vanishing Point LS Fountain Pen in Black with Rhodium Silver Trim Pilot Vanishing Point LS Fountain Pen in Black with Rhodium Silver Trim
$520
$650

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

P15784
Pilot Vanishing Point LS Fountain Pen in Blue with Rhodium Silver Trim Pilot Vanishing Point LS Fountain Pen in Blue with Rhodium Silver Trim
$520
$650

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

P15775
Pilot Vanishing Point LS Fountain Pen in Matte Black Pilot Vanishing Point LS Fountain Pen in Matte Black
$520
$650

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

P15754
Sailor Pro Gear King of Pen Fountain Pen in Lucky Charm Green - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Pro Gear King of Pen Fountain Pen in Lucky Charm Green - 21kt Gold Nib
$880
$1,100

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

11-9594-460
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Nice Rose - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Nice Rose - 14K Gold
$480
$600

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

PNB-20000R-5M
Namiki Yukari 100th Anniversary Fountain Pen in Seven Gods Fuku-roku-ju - 18K Gold Medium Point Namiki Yukari 100th Anniversary Fountain Pen in Seven Gods Fuku-roku-ju - 18K Gold Medium Point
$4,800
P12981
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Blue Ink - Pack of 12 Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Blue Ink - Pack of 12
$33.60
$42

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

P90011
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Purple Ink - Pack of 12 Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Purple Ink - Pack of 12
$33.60
$42

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

P90008
Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen in Silver Barrel Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen in Silver Barrel
$27.85
$34.73

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

P91108+P77313+P77306(2)
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Blue Ink Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Blue Ink
$3.73
SV4B-BLU-BC
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Assorted Ink Colors - Medium Point - Pack of 7 Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Assorted Ink Colors - Medium Point - Pack of 7
$27.56
P90029
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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.