Japanese vs. Korean Stationery: 8 Cute Picks Compared

Introduction

Japanese and Korean stationery both have a devoted following, and for good reason: both excel at cute, functional design. But when two markets produce equally charming products, it can be hard to know which one actually suits your needs. We compared four categories: double-sided markers, page flags, planner stickers, and washi tape, picking standout options from each side.

Double-Sided Markers

The Kokuyo Mark+ 2 Way Color Marker Pen isn’t just dual-sided, it’s dual-color. The fineliner end is a vibrant shade, while the highlighter end is a muted version of the same hue, which makes it especially handy for color-coding.

The Iconic 2 Way Marker Pen looks humble, but the ink performs remarkably well with all kinds of gel pens. Its chisel tip is a little smaller than typical highlighters, so it works well in notebooks with small grids.

In performance, both are strong: neither shows through or bleeds on Kokuyo Campus Sarasara paper. The Iconic smeared fewer gel pens, though any smudging with the Mark+ was mild. The Iconic markers only come in sets, so you can’t pick individual colors, while the Mark+ are a little pricier but sold both individually and in sets. Choose the Mark+ if you love color-coding, and the Iconic if you have small handwriting or can’t stand any smudging.

Page Flags

Page flags have adhesive on one side only, so you can stick them to books or planner pages and leave a little peeking out to flip straight to the page you need.

The Beverly Cocosasu Page Marker adds a clever twist: a perforated pointer lets you mark the exact spot on the page while the rest of the flag stays near the edge. Designs include cute animals and arrows, even a bread-themed set. The adhesive is sticky but won’t leave residue if you move it around.

The Iconic Index Sticky Note offers page flags in different geometric shapes, colors, and sizes, with a chic blank look that feels more sophisticated. The adhesive isn’t as strong as the Cocosasu, so avoid reusing it too much, but you get more designs per pack.

The verdict: students and readers will love the Cocosasu for pinpointing spots, while the Iconic flags are great for sorting and organizing papers or chapters.

Planner Stickers

The Midori Planner Stickers come in two versions: Standard stickers stay exactly where you put them, while Removable ones can be repositioned when plans change. They fit well in A6 planners like the Hobonichi Techo, and there’s a wide variety of designs to choose from.

The Dailylike Diary Removable Stickers feature a cohesive cast of recurring characters like a rabbit, poodle, and koala, so multiple sheets look good together. They’re bigger than the Midori ones, making them a better fit for the larger calendars in A5 planners, and the larger size makes them easier to grip and peel off the page. The smaller Midori stickers can be trickier to remove without creasing the page, so a pair of tweezers helps.

Both are easy to move around, which makes this a close call. Dailylike gets the upper hand for A5 planners and journals, while Midori wins on design variety.

Washi Tapes

The Mark’s Maste Date & Title Washi Tapes come in two versions, Date and Title, and some designs coordinate across both styles, like the Brush Paint series. All tapes are perforated between each design, so they tear off easily. Standouts include the Hand Drawing and Scandinavian sets.

The Livework Washi Tapes, in Number, Date, Blank, Month, and Weather versions, are great for DIY planners: create calendars, label spreads, or track the weather. They aren’t perforated, so use something like the Kokuyo Karucut or scissors for a clean cut between designs.

The Mark’s designs are hard to resist for their polish, but if you prefer a retro aesthetic, the Livework tapes are the way to go.

Conclusion

There’s no single winner between Japanese and Korean stationery: each product shines in a slightly different context. Color-coders and students get the most from the Kokuyo Mark+ and Beverly Cocosasu, small-handwriting note-takers and organizers will prefer the Iconic marker and index sets, A5 planner users should lean Dailylike, design seekers should browse Midori, and washi tape lovers get to choose between Mark’s refined designs and Livework’s retro charm. Pick based on how you actually plan, read, and take notes.