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Japanese Fountain Pens

Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Green - 14kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Green - 14kt Gold Nib
$440
$550

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

11-1214-760
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Coral Matte Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Coral 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.

P22404
Sailor Compass Tuzu Glassy Fountain Pen in Crystal White Sailor Compass Tuzu Glassy Fountain Pen in Crystal White
$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.

12-0463-201
Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Cumulus White Pilot Kaküno Madoromi Fountain Pen in Translucent Cumulus White
$20
P21733
Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Translucent Violet Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Translucent Violet
$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.

12-0453-650
Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Kimono' Fountain Pen in Prosperity with Gold IP - 14K Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Kimono' Fountain Pen in Prosperity with Gold IP - 14K Gold
$272
$340

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

11-9844-430
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Gold Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Gold
$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.

P16916
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Pink Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Pink
$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.

P12298
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Merlot with Silver Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Merlot with Silver Trim - 14K 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.

P13348
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Red & Rhodium - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Red & 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.

P60244
Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen in Resin Purple - 14K Gold Soft Flexible Nib Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen in Resin Purple - 14K Gold Soft Flexible Nib
$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.

P15661
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Blue & Rhodium - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Blue & 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.

P60243
Platinum Curidas Retractable Urban Green Fountain Pen Platinum Curidas Retractable Urban Green Fountain Pen
$80
$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.

PKN-7000-43EF
Pilot MR Chanomegumi Fountain Pen in Lime - Limited Edition Pilot MR Chanomegumi Fountain Pen in Lime - Limited Edition
$68
P22867
Sailor 1911 Casual L Fountain Pen in Demonstrator, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Fountain Pen in Demonstrator, 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.

11-0823-600
Sailor 1911 Realo Fountain Pen in Smoke Black - 18K with Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Realo Fountain Pen in Smoke Black - 18K with Gold Trim
$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.

11-1853-920
Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Black Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Black
$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.

P22049
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Cinnamon Brown Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Cinnamon Brown
$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.

P22088
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Blue Black Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Blue Black
$7
PLTM- PSQ-400-3-EF
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Silver Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Silver
$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.

P16922
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Forest Green with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold Nib Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Forest Green with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold Nib
$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.

P15829
Sailor Compass HighAce Neo Calligraphy Fountain Pen Sailor Compass HighAce Neo Calligraphy Fountain Pen
From $21.99
12-0155-100
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Blue Carbonesque & Rhodium - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Blue Carbonesque & 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.

P60249
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Navy - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Navy - 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.

P10954
Platinum Curidas Retractable Graphite Smoke Fountain Pen Platinum Curidas Retractable Graphite Smoke Fountain Pen
$80
$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.

PKN-7000-7M
Sailor Professional Gear x Kamawanu Fountain Pen Set in Tsurumaru - Ume with Tenugui - Limited Edition Sailor Professional Gear x Kamawanu Fountain Pen Set in Tsurumaru - Ume 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.

10-9895-617
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Turquoise - Fine Point Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in Turquoise - 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.

P12286
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Blue - 18kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Blue - 18kt Gold Nib
$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.

11-2218-740
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Warbling is in the Air - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Warbling is in the Air - "Haru-tsuge-dori" with Gold Trim - Medium Fine Point
$340
$425

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

11-1231-301
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Kogarashi - 14kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Kogarashi - 14kt Gold
$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.

11-8879-321
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Syvash - 14kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Syvash - 14kt Gold
$340
$425

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

10-1293-438
Sailor 1911 King of Pens Fountain Pen in Ebonite Sailor 1911 King of Pens Fountain Pen in Ebonite "Tenacious Tabby" - 21K Gold
$1,520
$1,900

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

11-8915-421
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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.