Hobonichi Weeks Mega: Is This Planner Worth the Hype?

🕐11 min read

I’ve filled over 30 planners in the last decade, and the Hobonichi Weeks Mega is the one that made me question everything I thought I knew about paper planning. It’s a cult favorite for a reason, but at $40+ for a single book, the hype demands a hard look. Does this slim, Japanese-designed planner actually deliver on its promises of clarity and ritual, or is it just a pretty notebook for your shelf? After testing three versions over six months, I’ve got a clear verdict—and it comes with some surprises.

10 min read

What Makes the Hobonichi Weeks Mega Different from a Standard Planner?

The Hobonichi Weeks Mega isn’t just a bigger version of the classic Weeks. It’s a structural redesign that solves the most common pain point of the original: running out of note pages. The standard Weeks gives you 70 note pages at the back; the Mega triples that to 200. That’s the headline number, but the real story is in the paper.

Tomoe River Paper S (68 gsm) is the star. It’s famously thin—barely 0.04mm thick—but it handles fountain pens, gel pens, and even watercolor washes without bleeding or feathering. I tested a Lamy Safari loaded with De Atramentis ink (a wet writer) and a Pilot G2 0.7 (a gel pen notorious for smudging), and neither bled through. The paper’s coating creates a subtle texture that grips ink, letting it dry fast—typically under 10 seconds for a fine nib. This isn’t just functional; it’s a sensory ritual. The way the pen glides, the soft rustle of the pages, the faint sheen of drying ink—it turns daily planning into a deliberate act.

Dimensions are 94 x 188 mm (3.7 x 7.4 inches), about the size of a passport. It fits into a standard A6 pouch or a small handbag. The Mega’s extra pages add 4mm of thickness (22mm total vs. 18mm for the standard), but it still slides into a back pocket without bulging. For context, the standard Weeks weighs 130g; the Mega is 170g—a 30% increase, but still lighter than most A5 planners.

For context, the standard Weeks weighs 130g; the Mega is 170g—a 30% increase, but still lighter than most A5 planners.

The Layout: Weekly Spreads That Actually Work for Rituals

The left page of each weekly spread shows a full week in a vertical grid, with each day occupying a 40mm x 50mm space. That’s enough room for 6-8 short tasks or appointments. The right page is blank graph paper. This asymmetry is deliberate: the weekly view is for time-blocking, while the blank page is for notes, sketches, or collections.

I use the blank page for my evening ritual: a gratitude list (3 items), a one-line summary of the day’s mood, and a single intention for tomorrow. That’s 5 minutes, max. The space is generous enough for a small habit tracker (I track water intake and meditation on a 7-day grid I draw myself) or a quick brain dump. In the standard Weeks, I’d run out of room by Wednesday; the Mega gives me all seven days without compromise.

The monthly calendar at the front is a single page per month, with 5mm x 5mm grid squares. It’s tight—I use it for major deadlines and appointments only. The year-at-a-glance pages at the start are perfect for tracking birthdays, bill due dates, or annual goals. I’ve color-coded mine with four Tombow Dual Brush Pens: blue for work, green for family, pink for self-care, yellow for finances. The paper handles the slight bleed from brush pens beautifully—just a tiny ghosting on the back, nothing that obscures text.

Note Pages: The Mega’s Killer Feature

200 note pages in the back is the spec that sells this planner. But how many do you actually need? I tracked my usage over three months: I averaged 8-10 note pages per month for journaling, habit tracking, and project notes. That’s 24-30 pages per quarter, or 96-120 for a full year. The Mega’s 200 pages means I have 80-100 pages of buffer. For a heavy note-taker—someone who uses their planner as a daily journal, a reading log, or a work notebook—that buffer is gold.

The pages are numbered, which is a small but crucial detail. I’ve created an index at the front of the note section (pages 1-5) where I log what’s on each page: “page 12: book list,” “page 34: skincare routine,” “page 78: gift ideas.” This turns the Mega into a reference system, not just a planner. For context, the standard Weeks has numbered note pages too, but with only 70 pages, an index feels cramped. The Mega makes it easy to keep an index across 200 pages without running out of space.

One downside: the paper is so thin that heavy pressure from a ballpoint pen leaves indentations on subsequent pages. I tested a Uni-ball Jetstream 0.7 (a popular ballpoint) and could clearly see the ghosting of the previous page’s writing. The fix is simple: use a gel or fountain pen with a light touch, or place a blotter sheet (a piece of cardstock) under your writing hand. I keep a 10cm x 15cm piece of 200gsm cardstock in the back cover for exactly this purpose.

I keep a 10cm x 15cm piece of 200gsm cardstock in the back cover for exactly this purpose.

Cover Options: From $5 to $200

The planner itself is $42 from the official Hobonichi store (2025 edition). But the cover is a separate purchase, and that’s where the price range widens dramatically. The standard clear plastic cover is $5, but it’s flimsy and gets scratched within a week. I’ve tried three covers:

• Hobonichi Ane Cover (Leather, $95): Full-grain leather, available in 8 colors. The leather is stiff at first but softens after 2-3 weeks of daily use. It adds 15g to the total weight. The closure is a simple elastic band. It’s beautiful but expensive for what is essentially a sleeve.
• Hobonichi Liberty Fabrics Cover ($65): A collaboration with Liberty London, using their classic floral prints (like “Tana Lawn” cotton). It’s lightweight (25g) and machine-washable on cold. The fabric feels soft but can fray at the edges after 6 months of daily use. I’ve had mine for 8 months, and the corners are starting to show wear.
• Third-party cover from Etsy ($35-50): I bought a hand-stitched leather cover from a seller called “Paper and Leather Goods.” It’s made from 2mm thick vegetable-tanned leather and fits the Mega perfectly. The craftsmanship is solid, and it costs half the price of the official leather cover. The downside: no built-in pen loop, so I use a separate pen case.

Budget alternative: skip the cover entirely and use a clear PVC sleeve from Amazon ($8 for a pack of 5). It’s not elegant, but it protects the planner from coffee spills and bag scuffs. Or, repurpose a hardcover book jacket—I’ve used a 2019 Moleskine cover that fits the Weeks Mega with a bit of trimming.

Paper Quality: The Tomoe River S Difference

Tomoe River Paper has been reformulated twice in the last five years. The current version (Tomoe River S, 68 gsm) is made by a different manufacturer than the original (which was 52 gsm and produced by Tomoegawa). The new paper is slightly thicker and less translucent, but it’s also less coated, which means it’s slightly more absorbent. I tested both side by side (a 2023 standard Weeks with the old 52gsm paper vs. a 2025 Mega with the new 68gsm paper), and the difference is noticeable.

With the old paper, a wet fountain pen (e.g., a Platinum #3776 with a broad nib) took 15-20 seconds to dry. With the new paper, it dries in 8-12 seconds. The new paper also shows less ghosting (the faint shadow of writing on the other side). I held both pages up to a window: the old paper showed clear ghosting of the text; the new paper showed only a faint outline. This is a real improvement for anyone who uses both sides of the page.

The paper’s weight is 68 gsm, which is thicker than the original 52 gsm but still thinner than standard copy paper (80 gsm). For comparison, a Leuchtturm1917 notebook uses 80 gsm paper; a Moleskine uses 70 gsm. The Tomoe River S is noticeably smoother than either—it has a satin finish that makes ink sit on top of the paper rather than soaking in. This gives a subtle sheen to fountain pen inks, especially darker shades like Pilot Iroshizuku “Take-sumi” or Diamine “Oxblood.”

This gives a subtle sheen to fountain pen inks, especially darker shades like Pilot Iroshizuku “Take-sumi” or Diamine “Oxblood.”

Budget Alternatives: What Else Gets Close?

If the Hobonichi Weeks Mega’s $42 price tag (plus cover) feels steep, there are three alternatives worth considering:

• Jibun Techo Days ($28): Uses 85gsm paper that’s thicker but less smooth. The layout is similar (weekly + note pages), but the binding is less flexible—it doesn’t lie flat as easily. I tested one for a month and found the paper handled gel pens well but caused fountain pen ink to feather slightly. The note section has 100 pages, half the Mega’s.
• Muji Weekly Planner ($8): A bare-bones version with 70gsm paper and a simple weekly spread. No note pages, no numbered pages, no index. It’s functional but lacks the ritual feel. The paper is okay for ballpoint and pencil, but fountain pens bleed through. I use this for quick work notes and keep my Mega for personal planning.
• Wonderland 222 ($35): A Japanese-style planner with a similar size (100 x 180mm) and 80gsm paper. It has 150 note pages and a monthly calendar. The paper is slightly more textured than Tomoe River S, which gives a more tactile writing experience. It’s a solid alternative, but the binding is glued rather than stitched, so it won’t lie as flat after 6 months of use.

My recommendation: If your budget is under $30, go with the Wonderland 222. If you can stretch to $42, the Mega is worth it for the paper alone. The cover is optional—start with a $5 clear sleeve and upgrade later if you want the luxury feel.

Is It Worth It? The Verdict After 6 Months

After six months of daily use, the Hobonichi Weeks Mega has earned a permanent spot in my routine. The paper quality is genuinely exceptional—it makes writing feel intentional rather than mechanical. The 200 note pages give me the freedom to use the planner as a journal, a reference system, and a creative outlet, all in one slim book. I’ve filled 78 note pages so far, and I’m on track to use about 150 by the end of the year. That’s 50 pages of buffer, which feels luxurious.

But it’s not for everyone. If you need a daily hourly schedule, the weekly spread won’t work—you’ll want a Hobonichi Cousin or a Jibun Techo. If you write with heavy pressure, the thin paper will show indentations. If you don’t use fountain pens or gel pens, the paper’s smoothness is less of an advantage. And the price, with a cover, can hit $100+ quickly.

For me, the Mega is worth it because it turns planning into a ritual. The sensory experience of the paper, the discipline of the layout, the freedom of the note pages—it all adds up to a practice that centers me. I’ve tried digital planners (Notion, Google Calendar) and cheaper paper options (Moleskine, Leuchtturm), and none of them create the same feeling of calm and control. The Mega is a tool, yes, but it’s also an anchor.

Sources & further reading

• Changing Data Sources in the Age of Machine Learning for Official Statistics (arxiv.org)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it?

Yes, if you value paper quality and note space above all else. At $42, it’s 30% more expensive than a standard Weeks, but you get 130 extra note pages and a thicker, more durable paper that handles fountain pens and gel pens beautifully. If you’re a minimalist planner who uses only the weekly spread, the standard Weeks is a better value. But if you need room for journaling, collections, or creative notes, the Mega pays for itself in versatility. I’ve used 78 note pages in 6 months, and having 122 remaining means I never feel constrained.

How does it compare to the standard Hobonichi Weeks?

The standard Weeks has 70 note pages; the Mega has 200. That’s the only difference in content. The paper, layout, and dimensions are identical. The Mega is 4mm thicker and 40g heavier, but it still fits in the same covers. If you already own a standard Weeks and run out of note pages by June, the Mega is a direct upgrade. If you don’t use the note section at all, save $12 and buy the standard version.

Does it lie flat?

Yes, but not perfectly. The binding is a combination of thread stitching and glue, which allows it to open to about 170 degrees. It won’t lie completely flat like a spiral notebook, but it’s close enough for writing comfortably on both sides. I’ve found that after 2-3 weeks of use, the spine loosens and the planner opens more easily. If you need a completely flat layout, consider a disc-bound system like the Happy Planner.

What pens work best with the paper?

Fountain pens with fine or medium nibs are ideal. I use a Pilot Custom 74 with a fine nib and Pilot Iroshizuku ink—it glides without bleeding. Gel pens like the Pilot G2 0.5 or Uni-ball Signo 0.38 work well, but let the ink dry for 5 seconds before closing the page. Ballpoint pens (e.g., Bic Cristal) work but leave indentations on the other side. Avoid alcohol-based markers (e.g., Sharpies)—they bleed through completely.

Can I use it for work and personal planning?

Yes, but you’ll need a system. I use the weekly spread for appointments and deadlines only (both work and personal, color-coded). The note pages are divided into sections: pages 1-40 for work notes, 41-80 for personal journaling, 81-120 for book lists and projects, and the rest for miscellaneous. I keep an index at the front of the note section to track where everything is. It works, but if you have a high-volume work schedule, consider a second planner for work tasks.