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Japanese Fountain Pens

Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Black Ink - Pack of 12 Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Black 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.

P90010
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Aqua Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Aqua
$15
P19624
Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Night Sea Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Night Sea
$11
PPF-800-59M
Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Dark Emerald Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Dark Emerald
$11
PPF-800-46M
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Matte Black Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Matte Black
$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.

P16906
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Matte Blue & Black Accents - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Matte Blue & Black Accents - 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.

P60597
Pilot Metropolitan Classic Fountain Pen in Gold Pilot Metropolitan Classic Fountain Pen in Gold
$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.

P91109
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Celestial Outflow - 14K Gold Nib Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Celestial Outflow - 14K Gold Nib
$360
$450

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

11-8951-920
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Turquoise Matte Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Turquoise Matte
$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.

P22401
Sailor Compass Tuzu Glassy Fountain Pen in Crystal Cherry Sailor Compass Tuzu Glassy Fountain Pen in Crystal Cherry
$44
$55

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

12-0463-202
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Lavender Fog - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Lavender Fog - 14K Gold
$240
$300

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

P21972
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Honey Yellow Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Honey Yellow
$67.20
$84

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

P22182
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Purple - Fine Point Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Purple - Fine Point
$7
PLTM- PSQ-300-28-F
Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Red Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Red
$17.55
$22

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

PGB1000-21M
Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Blue Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Blue
$17.55
$22

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

PGB1000-3M
Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen in Black & Gold - Soft Flexible Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen in Black & Gold - Soft Flexible
$224
$280

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

P60252
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Blue & Gold - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Blue & 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.

P60266
Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Orange Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Fountain Pen in Orange
$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.

P91443
Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Celestial Outflow - 21K Gold Nib Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Celestial Outflow - 21K Gold Nib
$600
$750

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

11-8950-920
Platinum 3776 Century Fuji Unkei Series Fountain Pen in Unkai - Limited Edition Platinum 3776 Century Fuji Unkei Series Fountain Pen in Unkai - Limited Edition
$620
PLTM-PNB-650FU-L-F
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Ivory Matte Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Ivory Matte
$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.

P22407
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Navy Matte Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Navy Matte
$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.

P22398
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Empress Teal Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Empress Teal
$67.20
$84

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

P22139
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Coral Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen in Translucent Coral
$15
P19636
Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Crimson Red Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Crimson Red
$11
PPF-800-22M
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Purple - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Purple - 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.

P65344
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Gunmetal Gray & Matte Black - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Gunmetal Gray & 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.

P60584
Sailor Professional Gear x Kamawanu Fountain Pen Set in Fugu -Tatewaku with Tenugui - Limited Edition Sailor Professional Gear x Kamawanu Fountain Pen Set in Fugu -Tatewaku with Tenugui - Limited Edition
$260
$325

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

10-9895-642
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Gray - Fine Point Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Gray - Fine Point
$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.

P12271
Sailor Professional Gear Anchor Fountain Pen in Blue Dawn - 21K Gold Nib Sailor Professional Gear Anchor Fountain Pen in Blue Dawn - 21K Gold Nib
$712
$890

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

11-5080-940
Sailor 1911 Casual L Basis Fountain Pen in Muted Blue, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Basis Fountain Pen in Muted Blue, Gold Trim
$140
$175

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

11-0822-640
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Ver. 2 Demonstrator - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Ver. 2 Demonstrator - 14K Gold
$480
PLTM-PNB-450-M
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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.