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Japanese Fountain Pens

Platinum Biso Fountain Pen in Nebula Black Platinum Biso Fountain Pen in Nebula Black
$184
$230

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-15000-1-M
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Bourgogne with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Bourgogne with Rhodium Trim - 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-71-UEF
Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Syvash - 21K Gold Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Syvash - 21K Gold
$472
$590

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

10-2093-438
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Eleuthera Island - 14kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Eleuthera Island - 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.

10-1291-448
Pilot Vanishing Point 2025 Limited Edition Fountain Pen in Link Midnight - Medium 18K Gold Nib Pilot Vanishing Point 2025 Limited Edition Fountain Pen in Link Midnight - Medium 18K Gold Nib
$580
P22010
Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Roppongi Gold Matte Grip - 21K Gold Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Roppongi Gold Matte Grip - 21K Gold
$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.

11-4662-920
Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Ginza Silver Matte Grip 21K Gold Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Ginza Silver Matte Grip 21K Gold
$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.

11-4663-920
Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Matte Black Stainless Steel - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Matte Black Stainless Steel - 21kt Gold Nib
$792
$990

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

10-6007-428
Sailor Cylint Niigata Shikki Fountain Pen in Oborogin (Hazy Silver) with Gold IP Trim - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Cylint Niigata Shikki Fountain Pen in Oborogin (Hazy Silver) with Gold IP Trim - 21kt Gold Nib
$1,032
$1,290

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

10-6008-229
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Sapporo Snow Festival - 14K Gold Limited Edition Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Sapporo Snow Festival - 14K Gold Limited Edition
$236
$295

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

11-8912-910
Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Sapporo Snow Festival - 21K Gold Limited Edition Sailor Pro Gear Standard Fountain Pen in Sapporo Snow Festival - 21K Gold Limited Edition
$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.

11-8913-910
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Birchwood Red - 18K Gold Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen in Birchwood Red - 18K Gold
$368
$460

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

P21542
Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Kimono' Fountain Pen in Longevity with Gold IP - 14K Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Kimono' Fountain Pen in Longevity with Gold IP - 14K Gold
$272
$340

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11-9845-450
Sailor Pro Gear Smoothie Regular 2nd Edition Fountain Pen in Acai Berry - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Pro Gear Smoothie Regular 2nd Edition Fountain Pen in Acai Berry - 21kt Gold Nib
$392
$490

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

11-4173-473
Sailor Pro Gear Smoothie Regular 2nd Edition Fountain Pen in Goldenberry - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Pro Gear Smoothie Regular 2nd Edition Fountain Pen in Goldenberry - 21kt Gold Nib
$392
$490

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

11-4173-442
Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Scarab with Black Ion Trim - 21kt Gold Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Scarab with Black Ion Trim - 21kt Gold
$792
$990

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10-6006-268
Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Lantana with Black Ion Trim - 21kt Gold Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Lantana with Black Ion Trim - 21kt Gold
$792
$990

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

10-6006-258
Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Lagoon with Black Ion Trim - 21kt Gold Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Lagoon with Black Ion Trim - 21kt Gold
$792
$990

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10-6006-248
Pilot Custom Urushi Fountain Pen in Prussian Blue - 18K Gold Pilot Custom Urushi Fountain Pen in Prussian Blue - 18K Gold
$1,700
P20893
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Themis with Black IP Trim - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Themis with Black IP Trim - 21kt 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.

11-9876-421
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Sailor Pro Gear Slim "Teatime Around the World" #4 Series Fountain Pen in Scone
$220
$275

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11-2052-450
Sailor 1911 Large Ninja Fountain Pen Sailor 1911 Large Ninja Fountain Pen "In" with Silver Trim - 21kt Gold Nib
$392
$490

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11-5411-442
Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Pearl Pink - 14k Gold Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Pearl Pink - 14k Gold
$216
$270

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P20680
Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Deep Navy Blue - 14k Gold Nib Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Deep Navy Blue - 14k Gold Nib
$216
$270

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P20674
Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Classic Black - 14k Gold Nib Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Classic Black - 14k Gold Nib
$216
$270

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P20668
Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Serene Light Blue - 14k Gold Nib Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Serene Light Blue - 14k Gold Nib
$216
$270

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P20686
Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Pearl White - 14k Gold Nib Pilot Grance Fountain Pen in Pearl White - 14k Gold Nib
$216
$270

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P20692
Sailor Pro Gear King of Pens Fountain Pen in Sunlight from the Ocean Floor - 21K Gold Sailor Pro Gear King of Pens Fountain Pen in Sunlight from the Ocean Floor - 21K Gold
$816
$1,020

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11-8953-440
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Sunlight from the Ocean Floor with Silver Trim - 14K Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen in Sunlight from the Ocean Floor with Silver Trim - 14K Gold
$236
$295

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

11-8955-740
Sailor Pro Gear Regular Fountain Pen in Roppongi Gold - 21kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Regular Fountain Pen in Roppongi Gold - 21kt Gold
From $440
11-4660-720
Sailor Pro Gear Regular Fountain Pen in Ginza Silver - 21kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Regular Fountain Pen in Ginza Silver - 21kt Gold
$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.

11-4661-720
Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Translucent Navy Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Translucent Navy
$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.

11-0453-242
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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.