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Japanese Fountain Pens

Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Kimono' Fountain Pen in Happiness with Gold IP - 14K Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Kimono' Fountain Pen in Happiness 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.

11-9843-417
Sailor 1911 Large Pen of the Year 2025 Fountain Pen in Grape Expectations - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Pen of the Year 2025 Fountain Pen in Grape Expectations - 21kt Gold Nib
From $472
11-8959-650
Sailor 1911 Standard Pen of the Year 2025 Fountain Pen in Great Expectations - 14kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Standard Pen of the Year 2025 Fountain Pen in Great Expectations - 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.

11-8958-650
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Dark Grey - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Dark Grey - 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.

P19900
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Green - Fine Point Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Green - Fine Point
$7
PLTM- PSQ-300-41-F
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Red Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Red
$7
PLTM- PSQ-400-11-EF
Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Graphite Blue Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen in Graphite Blue
$11
PPF-800-55M
Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen in Red & Rhodium - Soft Flexible Pilot Falcon Fountain Pen in Red & Rhodium - Soft Flexible
From $208
P71622
Pilot Metal Falcon Fountain Pen in Burgundy - Soft Flexible Pilot Metal Falcon Fountain Pen in Burgundy - 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.

P60573
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Teal with Silver Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Teal 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.

P13354
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Shiny White & Black Accents - 18K Gold Nib Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Shiny White & Black Accents - 18K Gold Nib
$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.

P60747
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in Black - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in 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.

P10951
Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Green - Fine Point Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Green - Fine Point
$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.

PGB1000-41F
Pilot Metropolitan Zig Zag Gold Fountain Pen - Medium Point Pilot Metropolitan Zig Zag Gold Fountain Pen - Medium Point
$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.

P91103
Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Black Ink Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Black Ink
$3.77
SV4B-BLK-BC
Sailor 1911 Casual L Basis Fountain Pen in Muted Green, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Basis Fountain Pen in Muted Green, 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.

11-0822-660
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Laurel Green - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Laurel Green - 14K Gold
$398.40
$498

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

PLTM- PNB-18000CR-41UEF
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Red - 18kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Red - 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.

11-2218-730
Sailor Tuzu Adjust Forge Fountain Pen in Gunmetal Sailor Tuzu Adjust Forge Fountain Pen in Gunmetal
$88
$110

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10-0473-420
Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Pink Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Pink
$67.20
$84

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P22067
Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Light Green Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Light Green
$67.20
$84

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P22061
Sailor Professional Gear Slim Dried Flower 2 Fountain Pen in Marigold - 14k Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim Dried Flower 2 Fountain Pen in Marigold - 14k 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.

11-8630-470
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in 20th Anniversary Limited Edition - 18K Gold Fine Point Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in 20th Anniversary Limited Edition - 18K Gold Fine Point
$580
P22022
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Porcelain White Pilot Prera Fountain Pen in Porcelain White
$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.

P22167
Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen in Carmine Red Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen in Carmine Red
$76
$95

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PNS-5000-10M
Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen in Shadow Mica Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen in Shadow Mica
$76
$95

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

PNS-5000-1F
Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Green Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Green
$44
$55

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11-0453-260
Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Red Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Red
$44
$55

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11-0453-630
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in White Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen in White
$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.

P16928
Pilot Heritage 92 Fountain Pen in Clear Pilot Heritage 92 Fountain Pen in Clear
$264
$330

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

P60587
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Blue with Silver Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Blue 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.

P60696
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Clear with Silver Trim - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen in Clear 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.

P60555
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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.