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Japanese Fountain Pens

Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Black, Blue & Purple Ink - Pack of 3 Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen in Black with Black, Blue & Purple Ink - Pack of 3
$12.02
P90022
Sailor 1911 Casual L Basis Fountain Pen in Muted Red, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Basis Fountain Pen in Muted Red, 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.

11-0822-630
Platinum Izumo Fountain Pen in Soratame Green - Fine Point Platinum Izumo Fountain Pen in Soratame Green - Fine Point
$1,160
$1,450

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

PIZ-55000SORAGRN-F
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Black - 18kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Black - 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.

11-2218-720
Sailor Tuzu Adjust Forge Fountain Pen in Metallic Blue Sailor Tuzu Adjust Forge Fountain Pen in Metallic Blue
$88
$110

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

10-0473-640
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Tasogare - 14kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Tasogare - 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.

11-8993-370
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Oshino with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Oshino with Rhodium Trim - 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.

PLTM-PNB-20000A-5-M
Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Light Blue Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Light Blue
$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.

12-0453-641
Sailor Classic Ko' Fountain Pen in Ala SV - 21kt Gold Medium Fine Nib Sailor Classic Ko' Fountain Pen in Ala SV - 21kt Gold Medium Fine Nib
$790
10-8888-321
Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Brown Patina Hanmon-Kujiyaku with Gold IP Trim - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Brown Patina Hanmon-Kujiyaku with Gold IP Trim - 21kt 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.

10-5055-288
Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in White - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo Fountain Pen in White - 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.

P19891
Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Moon and Rabbit Design - 18K Gold Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Moon and Rabbit 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.

PLTM- PTL-20000H-87-M
Namiki Yukari Royale Fountain Pen in Peony - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Royale Fountain Pen in Peony - 18K Gold
From $6,500
P16655
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Black with Silver Trim - 21K Gold Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Black with Silver Trim - 21K Gold
From $392
11-2024-720
Namiki Emperor Fountain Pen in Urushi Black - 18K Gold Namiki Emperor Fountain Pen in Urushi Black - 18K Gold
$2,500
N60204
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Black Carbonesque & Rhodium Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Black Carbonesque & Rhodium
$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.

P60246
Pilot Metropolitan Animal Fountain Pen Set Pilot Metropolitan Animal Fountain Pen Set
$171.20
$212.50

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

METRO-WILD-FPSET-M
Pilot Metro Retro Pop Fountain Pen Set Pilot Metro Retro Pop Fountain Pen Set
$205.44
$255

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

METRO-RETRO-FPSET-M
Pilot Metropolitan Animal Fountain Pen in Crocodile Matte Black Pilot Metropolitan Animal Fountain Pen in Crocodile Matte 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.

P91135
Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Green Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Green
$9
PLTM-PSQ-090-LM-41-M
Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Pink Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Pink
$9
PLTM-PSQ-090-LM-21-M
Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Violet Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Violet
$9
PLTM-PSQ-090-LM-28-M
Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Blue Platinum Preppy 1980 Original Fountain Pen in Blue
$9
PLTM-PSQ-090-LM-56-M
Sailor Professional Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Iriomote Cat F3 - Overseas Limited Edition Sailor Professional Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Iriomote Cat F3 - Overseas Limited Edition
$220
$275

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

11-7034-680
Pilot MR Chanomegumi Fountain Pen in Green - Limited Edition Pilot MR Chanomegumi Fountain Pen in Green - Limited Edition
$68
P22864
Pilot MR Chanomegumi Fountain Pen in Brown - Limited Edition Pilot MR Chanomegumi Fountain Pen in Brown - Limited Edition
$68
P22861
Pilot Custom Enju Fountain Pen in Japanese Enju Wood with Gold Trim - 14kt Gold Nib Pilot Custom Enju Fountain Pen in Japanese Enju Wood with Gold Trim - 14kt Gold Nib
$1,200
P23152
Platinum Curidas Retractable Stone Sphene (Green) Fountain Pen Platinum Curidas Retractable Stone Sphene (Green) Fountain Pen
$96
PLTM-PKN-9000-41F
Namiki Fountain Pen in Wolf Moon - 18K Gold Nib Namiki Fountain Pen in Wolf Moon - 18K Gold Nib
$4,800
LE44FBLKMWMN
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Chartres Blue - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Chartres Blue - 14K Gold
From $398.40
PLTM-PNB-18000CR-51-UEF
Platinum 3776 Century Urushi Maki-e Fountain Pen in Sakura Platinum 3776 Century Urushi Maki-e Fountain Pen in Sakura
$640
$800

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-30000-40-M
Sailor 1911 Casual L Galaxy Fountain Pen in Solar Flare Gold, Black IP Sailor 1911 Casual L Galaxy Fountain Pen in Solar Flare Gold, Black IP
$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.

11-3927-680
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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.