The Best Japanese Fountain Pens

Japanese fountain pens have earned well-deserved praise for their classic style and precise nibs. Whether you are new to the fountain pen hobby or are looking for something to fill a spot in your collection, a Japanese fountain pen is sure to exceed your expectations. In this guide, we shine a spotlight on high-quality Japanese fountain pens that won’t break the bank. For more luxurious recommendations, our companion guide focuses on pens over $100.

Table of Contents

Japanese Fountain Pen Considerations

While many American and European brands outsource their nib production, almost all Japanese fountain pen manufacturers create their nibs in-house. This allows Japanese penmakers to have greater control over the consistency and quality of their nibs. When selecting a fountain pen, there are two things to consider: the material the nib is made of, and the nib’s tip size.

Nib Materials

Steel nibs are inexpensive, durable, and produce a consistent line.

Most fountain pens under $100 (and even some luxury fountain pens) are fitted with steel nibs. Steel is an excellent material for fountain pen nibs: it is an inexpensive metal with high durability and corrosion resistance. It is relatively easy to cut and form into the shapes necessary for nibs. Most steel nibs are stiff, which means that the tines do not bend back from the page when writing pressure is applied. Beginners who have only ever used ballpoint or gel pens should start with steel nibs to make the transition to fountain pens easier.

Gold nibs are softer, but they are also more expensive.

None of the fountain pens in this guide come with gold nibs, but we will briefly discuss why some fountain pen users prefer gold nibs to steel ones. Gold is a softer metal and can provide a more cushioned sensation while writing. It can even “flex” and create line variation when pressure is applied. However, it is important to note that modern fountain pens (even those with “soft” nibs) are not capable of producing the dramatic line variation found in vintage fountain pens.

Over-flexing a gold nib can spring it, which means the tines are permanently separated. This can lead to hard starts, railroading, or even prevent your pen from writing entirely.

Additionally, gold comes with a price—literally. Gold nibs are usually only found on fountain pens over $100, which are beyond the scope of this guide. Those who are interested in gold nibs can read The Best Luxury Japanese Fountain Pens to learn more.

Japanese Nib Sizes

Japanese nibs tend to produce finer lines than Western nibs.

Japanese fountain pen nibs typically have smaller tips than non-Japanese and Western brands. Japanese writing is more dense and complex than Western writing, thus requiring a finer and more precise tip. Japanese nibs, especially extra fine nibs, tend to be finer than their Western counterparts. Almost all Japanese fountain pens come with extra fine, fine, or medium nibs. When broad nibs are available, they are almost exclusively made of gold.

However, just because a nib is made by a Japanese company does not necessarily mean that the nibs are always finer. As an example, the Platinum Preppy comes in three nib sizes, but only the extra fine nib is considered a Japanese size. The fine and medium nibs are closer to Western sizing.

Japanese Fountain Pen Recommendations

The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $10: Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen

The affordable Platinum Preppy is an excellent pen for beginners.

The Platinum Preppy costs about five dollars, but it punches far above its weight in terms of performance. The firm, steel nib comes in extra fine, fine and medium, and it writes smoothly regardless of which tip size you pick. We especially like that the body color matches the color of the ink inside, though you can always swap out the cartridge or use a converter. Additionally, the Preppy uses Platinum’s patented “Slip and Seal” cap design that keeps a pen from drying out for at least a year.

Learn more about the Preppy—including its highlighter and marker versions—in our comprehensive guide.

Also Consider: Pilot Petit1 Mini Fountain Pen

The miniature Pilot Petit1 can be turned into an eyedropper pen.

Measuring in at under four and a half inches capped, the Pilot Petit1 Fountain Pen lives up to its name. The cap snaps securely onto the back of the pen to extend the body to a comfortable length. The Petit1’s feed uses a fiber “wick” that keeps the nib from drying out, but it may need extra attention to clean the pen thoroughly when switching ink colors.

Intermediate fountain pen users can try converting the Petit1 into an eyedropper pen. Follow the instructions in our eyedropper conversion tutorial to more than double your fountain pen’s ink capacity.

The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $20: Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen

The beginner-friendly Pilot Metropolitan has a durable brass body.

Fountain pen beginners who are ready to dive deeper into the hobby are often recommended the Pilot Metropolitan—and for good reason. Its body is made from brass, so it is durable enough to stand up to the knocks of everyday life. The Metropolitan comes in a variety of subdued and vivid body colors to match any style. It is also available with a medium italic nib that adds flair to everyday writing. Read our Pilot Metropolitan guide to learn more.

If you enjoy how smoothly the Metropolitan writes but are interested in a different body style, the Pilot Kakuno uses the same nib in a colorful plastic body. It comes in three nib sizes, including an extra fine one.

Also Consider: Meister by Point Slim Liner Fountain Pen

Inspired by portable cosmetics, the Meister by Point Slim Liner Fountain Pen fits nicely in your pocket.

The ultra-slim Meister by Point Slim Liner Fountain Pen is inspired by portable cosmetics. It is small enough to fit in your pocket, yet has enough space in the barrel for a full-size converter. The cap does not post on the back of the pen, so we recommend keeping it somewhere safe while jotting down notes on the go.

The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $50: Pilot Prera Fountain Pen

The Pilot Prera Fountain Pen is compact and lightweight.

The compact Pilot Prera is a lightweight addition to any fountain pen enthusiast’s everyday carry. Unposted, the Prera is a comfortable length for long writing sessions, but those with larger hands can post the cap without making the pen top heavy. This fountain pen comes in twelve colors with fine or medium nibs, and seven colors with medium italic nibs. The clear versions of the Prera come with a converter installed, while the opaque ones do not.

Also Consider: Sailor Compass 1911 Fountain Pen

The Sailor Compass 1911 has a transparent body and feed, as well as a converter that matches the color of the pen.

The Sailor Compass 1911 has a transparent body and feed that shows off the pen’s inner workings. The steel nib is offered in a medium tip size that is excellent for everyday writing. It comes in eight fresh colors like Olive and Purple, as well as a clear version. As an added bonus, the converter’s piston knob matches the color of the pen!

The Best Japanese Fountain Pens Under $100: Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen

The hefty Platinum Procyon uses the same nib as the Preppy.

The Platinum Procyon houses a nib that’s similar to the Preppy inside a solid aluminum body. It improves on more than the plastic barrel of the Preppy, though: the Procyon uses an innovative feed mechanism that makes it easy to fill the pen when paired with a converter. Rather than submerging the entire nib in ink, the pen can be filled by dipping up to the nib slit—an especially useful ability when an ink bottle is running low.

Also Consider: TRAVELER'S COMPANY BRASS Fountain Pen

The TRAVELER'S COMPANY BRASS Fountain Pen balances portability and comfort.

Inspired by the American bullet pencil produced during the mid 20th century, the TRAVELER'S COMPANY BRASS Fountain Pen is both portable and enjoyable to use. When closed, it measures a pocketable four inches. The long cap can be posted on the back of the pen, extending it to a comfortable five and a half inches in length. Made almost entirely of raw brass, the pen will deepen in color and develop a unique patina over time. TRAVELER’S COMPANY also makes matching pens and pencils to complete the set.

The Best Japanese Calligraphy Pen: Pilot Parallel Pen

Create crisp italic calligraphy with the Pilot Parallel Pen.

Anyone can create crisp italic calligraphy with ease thanks to the Pilot Parallel. It features a unique nib that is made up of two metal plates stacked on top of each other. Ink flows between the plates, which allows the pen to distribute ink more evenly than conventional italic nibs. Additionally, the metal nib will last much longer than felt-tipped calligraphy pens. The Pilot Parallel can use any fountain pen ink, but special mixable ink cartridges allow for the creation of color gradients by touching the nibs of two Parallel pens together.

Learn more about how to use this pen by checking out our comprehensive guide.

The Best Japanese Desk Fountain Pen: Platinum Desk Fountain Pen

Keep the Platinum Desk Fountain Pen within reach by pairing it with the matching desk stand.

The elegant Platinum Desk Fountain Pen has an elongated barrel that is comfortable to hold and evokes the look of vintage dip pens. The smooth, extra fine nib is both precise and remarkably smooth. A matching desk stand is available separately. The uncapped pen can be inserted and removed from the stand’s holder with one hand, ensuring that the pen is always conveniently within reach.

More Resources

Beginner’s Guides to Fountain Pens

Choosing a Fountain Pen

Conclusion

We have only scratched the surface of what Japanese fountain pens have to offer. There are dozens of options that cost less than $100 and will become an integral part of your collection. Do you have a Japanese fountain pen that you would recommend to others? Let us know in the comments below!

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JetPens Fountain Pen Starter Kit 2

If you’re interested in trying out a Japanese fountain pen, check out our Fountain Pen Starter Kits! These sets are carefully curated with everything you need to make your grand entrance in the fountain pen hobby. They include beginner fountain pens, inks, and fountain pen-friendly paper.

Add Items to Cart

Recommendation	Pen Name	Nib Sizes	Add to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $10	Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen	Extra Fine, Fine, Medium	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $10	Pilot Petit1 Mini Fountain Pen	Fine	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $20	Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen	Fine, Medium, Medium Italic	Add Items to Cart
	Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen	Extra Fine, Fine, Medium	Add Items to Cart
	Meister by Point Slim Liner Fountain Pen	Medium	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $50	Pilot Prera Fountain Pen	Fine, Medium, Medium Italic	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pen Under $50	Sailor Compass 1911 Fountain Pen	Medium Fine	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pens Under $100	Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen	Fine, Medium	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Fountain Pens Under $100	TRAVELER'S COMPANY BRASS FOUNTAIN PEN	Fine	Add to Cart
The Best Japanese Calligraphy Pen	Pilot Parallel Pen	1.5 mm, 2.4 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.8 mm, 4.5 mm, 6.0 mm	Add Items to Cart
The Best Japanese Desk Fountain Pen	Platinum Desk Fountain Pen	Extra Fine	Add Items to Cart

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