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Japanese Fountain Pens

Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Black Sailor Compass Tuzu Fountain Pen in Black
$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.

11-0453-620
Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Princess Raden' Fountain Pen in Princess Shirotae with Silver Trim - 14K Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Princess Raden' Fountain Pen in Princess Shirotae with Silver Trim - 14K Gold
$312
$390

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

11-3507-210
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Sansui Fountain Pen in Autumn - Winter - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Sansui Fountain Pen in Autumn - Winter - "Kamoshika" with Rhodium Trim - Medium Fine Point
$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.

11-2051-304
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Sansui Fountain Pen in Autumn - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Sansui Fountain Pen in Autumn - "Nadeshiko" with Rhodium Trim - Medium Fine Point
$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.

11-2051-303
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Sansui Fountain Pen in Summer - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Sansui Fountain Pen in Summer - "Komakusa" with Gold Trim - Medium Fine Point
$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.

11-2050-302
Sailor Pro Gear Regular Sailor Pro Gear Regular "Soul of Chess" Checkmate Fountain Pen - 21kt Gold
From $468
11-8943-721
Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in Black Stainless Steel - 21kt Gold Nib Sailor Cylint Fountain Pen in 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.

10-5070-628
Sailor Bespoke 1911 Large Naginata Togi Fountain Pen Specialty Nib with Gold Trim Sailor Bespoke 1911 Large Naginata Togi Fountain Pen Specialty Nib with Gold Trim
$680
10-7121-628
Sailor Bespoke 1911 Large Naginata Togi Fountain Pen Specialty Nib with Silver Trim Sailor Bespoke 1911 Large Naginata Togi Fountain Pen Specialty Nib with Silver Trim
$680
10-7122-628
Pilot Custom 743 Fountain Pen in Verdigris (Green) - 14K Gold Pilot Custom 743 Fountain Pen in Verdigris (Green) - 14K Gold
From $392
P18790
Platinum Kanazawa-haku Fountain Pen in Ascending Dragon - 14K Gold Platinum Kanazawa-haku Fountain Pen in Ascending Dragon - 14K Gold
$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-35000H-57M
Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Violet - 03 Fine Point Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen in Violet - 03 Fine Point
$17.95
$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.

PLTM- PGB-1000-28F
Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Cherry Blossom - 18K Gold Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Cherry Blossom - 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-52-M
Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Autumn Leaves - 18K Gold Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Autumn Leaves - 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-46-M
Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Gold Fish Design - 18K Gold Platinum Classic Maki-e Fountain Pen in Gold Fish 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-24-M
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Pink - Fine Point Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen in Pink - Fine Point
$7
PLTM- PSQ-300-21-F
Namiki Chinkin Fountain Pen in Kinshu - 18K Gold Namiki Chinkin Fountain Pen in Kinshu - 18K Gold
$3,000
P18562
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Nice Lavander Purple - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Nice Lavander Purple - 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.

PNB-20000R-87M
Pilot Namiki Sterling Collection Fountain Pen in Silvern Ishidatami - 18K Gold Pilot Namiki Sterling Collection Fountain Pen in Silvern Ishidatami - 18K Gold
$624
$780

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

N17816
Pilot Vanishing Point SE Fountain Pen in Marble Black Pilot Vanishing Point SE Fountain Pen in Marble Black
$336
$420

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

P18095
Namiki Chinkin Fountain Pen in Bamboo and Sparrow - 18K Gold Namiki Chinkin Fountain Pen in Bamboo and Sparrow - 18K Gold
$3,000
P18182
Namiki Yukari Royale Frog Maki-e Urushi Black Lacquer Fountain Pen - Medium Point Namiki Yukari Royale Frog Maki-e Urushi Black Lacquer Fountain Pen - Medium Point
$7,000
N10161
Pilot Custom Heritage SE Fountain Pen in Marble Green with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold Pilot Custom Heritage SE Fountain Pen in Marble Green with Silver Trim - 14kt 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.

P17705
Pilot Custom Heritage SE Fountain Pen in Marble Blue with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold Pilot Custom Heritage SE Fountain Pen in Marble Blue with Silver Trim - 14kt 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.

P17702
Pilot Custom Heritage SE Fountain Pen in Marble Black with Silver Trim - 14kt Gold Pilot Custom Heritage SE Fountain Pen in Marble Black with Silver Trim - 14kt 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.

P17699
Sailor 1911 King of Pens Fountain Pen in Wicked Witch of the West Sailor 1911 King of Pens Fountain Pen in Wicked Witch of the West
$880
$1,100

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

11-8677-450
Sailor Ebonite Sculpture Fountain Pen in Yokaze (Night Breeze) - 21K Gold Sailor Ebonite Sculpture Fountain Pen in Yokaze (Night Breeze) - 21K 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.

10-8085-428
Namiki Yukari Royale Fountain Pen in Vermilion Urushi - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Royale Fountain Pen in Vermilion Urushi - 18K Gold
$1,900
N60620
Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Rock Garden - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Rock Garden - 18K Gold
$1,700
P63317
Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Pine Needle - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Pine Needle - 18K Gold
$1,700
P63312
Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Milky Way Raden - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Milky Way Raden - 18K Gold
From $3,000
P60568
Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Shooting Star Raden - 18K Gold Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen in Shooting Star Raden - 18K Gold
$3,000
P60552
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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.