Around this time of year, the stationary floors of stores like LOFT and Tokyo Hands are packed chock a block with people picking out the next year’s schedule book, what Westerners would call a diary. As with a number of other things, the Japanese take organising their time very seriously. I had never really bothered with them until I came to Japan. Even then, my very first one was a Suzy’s Zoo one, and although it was adorable, I didn’t really use it very much. Perhaps I just wasn’t busy enough, or didn’t really see how useful it could actually be. I don’t even know where it is now.
My second one, for 2012, was a lovely Sentimental Circus one produced by San-X (the same people who make Rilakkuma and all manner of adorable mascots and characters), which definitely got more use. I am a hoarder by nature, and it came in handy for stashing bits of paper with random musings on them or cinema tickets (yes, I’m one of those people), or just writing things down that I needed to remember – which is what they are for I suppose!
For 2013 I chose a diary featuring Airou from the game Monster Hunter by Capcom, which I have absolutely no clue about, but I think he’s the cutest thing ever, far more than Rilakkuma (sorry Rilakkuma) and also Hello Kitty (a scandalous thing to say, I know). From this year, having a diary planner has become essential to me, and especially now that I have a blog. Don’t you find that there always comes a moment where you think of something, or see something that you need to look into more for your blog, but it’s just the wrong time and you have to write it down somewhere? I suppose many people use their phones, but I like having a snazzy little book I can pull out of my bag and write something down in. I’m quite tactile and visual too, and perhaps having paper suits me more. I also find the mechanical act of writing something out helps it to stick in my brain more, but maybe I’m weird.
Anyway, the diaries for the new year always start rolling out around September, with the most choices available around November/December. I have been umming and ahhing since September. I kid you not – for the past three and a half months, I have been stressing out about which one to get, and only relieved my pain yesterday when I finally bought one. I know I always cause myself more stress than necessary, but when you are as spoilt for choice as you are here, it becomes incredibly difficult to choose one – it’s really the bane of all indecisive people such as myself.
I think my quandary will become clear as you look at the photos below. Really, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Aside from your Hello Kittties, Rilakkumas, and Airous, you have an array of Disney ones, Peko Chan, Coco Chan, Ado Mizumori illustrations, the new LINE characters, the recently popular Kumamon, Barbie, Rollbahn, the Happy Make diaries – just so many your head might explode.
In the end I went with an Ado Mizumori illustrated diary for 2014. Her drawings are just so kawaii and positive, and they make me smile. There is also plenty of space inside for writing down random thoughts and ideas, which is wonderful. I’m really happy with it and definitely feel like I made the right choice.
I believe the pictures will explain things best, so I will leave you with those.
Wishing you a beautiful Sunday!
Chuuu xoxo
P.S. – Sorry, pic heavy and not great quality.
Some pages from my 2012 Sentimental Circus schedule book. Isn’t the main character adorable? Her name is Chapo.
My current schedule book – sorry it’s so grubby. Airou is on the left. If you don’t think he’s the cutest thing ever, I don’t know what to say.
This is the one I finally chose for 2014 – an Ado Mizumori illustrated diary. The cover character is a ballerina, how cute is that?
Plenty of space for notes.
In case I want to take the train…
There’s even a lovely illustration on the back.
Wow, these are like little eye candies. I remember going crazy for these when I was younger—and I still do to this day, hee, hee, hee…It’s hard to pick just one! I’m really liking the Barbie ones—never seen them before. So used to seeing Hello Kitty or other cute little caricatures. I want them all!
So do I! Every year 🙂 They are gorgeous, and they each have their own little extra thing that makes them useful as well. I love this time of year when you get to choose a new one 😀
I love your collection! The barbie one is super pretty.
Here’s mine, I started it in my first visit to Japan: first one was a blythe schedule that I bought in kiddyland, second one a Little Twin Stars schedule :), next year a black and hot pink sequined cover from Hello Kitty, next year Blythe again. This year Rilakkuma and for next year I got the kumatan schedule, I was very excited because I love Chinatsu Wakatsuki colorful and playful designs!
Your collection sounds amazing! Kiddyland is awesome for diaries – I nearly bought Coco & Natsu there 😉 I try to get a different every year. I’m sure one year I will end up with a Rilakkuma one – it’s inevitable 🙂
hahaha, yes you are right! Rilakkuma is a must! I am more fond of kiroiitori. hahaha I collect a lot of its items!
They looks gorgeous! I too want to organize my time properly – starting from 01/01/14.
I bought myself a diary with a cute kitty on the cover.
They are so lovely 🙂 I think that’s a lovely resolution! If it helps, I also use mine to record nice things that happen, or nice things people say to me, then when I look back, it makes me smile 🙂
That’s what they’re for! Nice things… much better than noting down only doctor’s appointments and the likes.
My husband suggested I use my diary to keep a record of which make-up products I used. Grrr! He likes to poke fun at me all the time. 😀
Almost forgot after all the cuteness that…
I’m tagging you. There’s a getting to know me tag going around and I’d love to read your answers.
Here’s the link to the post: http://gingerlovesmakeup.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/get-to-know-me-tag/
Aww thank you so much darling 🙂 That’s so lovely! I’ve never been tagged for one of these before, so I’m very excited. I’m off on holiday soon, and haven’t decided whether to take my computer with me or not. If I do, I will do this post before the end of the year, and if I don’t, I will take care of it as soon as I have a chance when I get back 😀
That’s alright.
Hope you enjoy your holiday. And have a safe journey!
And I might tag you once more while you’re away…
Take care. xo
Ooh thank you 🙂 Looking forward to it!
I miss choosing my schedule book from Loft! I always buy a diary here in the UK, but they’re never quite as cute.
I have to agree with you on that 😉
Omg i have such a thing for adorbz stationary…
Me too 🙂 Everything here is adorable 😀
Oh!So cute! I want all!when I was in school I was crazy about notebooks:D But everytime I go to store now and see amazing notebook I just don’t know what to write in it…and even if I know..it’s to pretty to write in ti:D How stupid is that:D
No, I completely understand that feeling! Like, it’s too cute to spoil or something. You’re not alone 🙂
Yes-yes..pity to spoil. Or sometimes I think it’s too beautiful to write some random things in it..that it’s for something special..but I don’t have anything special to write in it.:)On other hand..I understand that if i use it I see it and enjoy and if I don’t it’s just laying somewhere.
Reblogged this on The Pretty Canary.
love it ❤
🙂
Seriously. SO CUTE!!
It was SO hard to make up my mind, like, months! I’m not even kidding! 🙂
The Japanese do these things so well. I love their origami papers with patterns and use them for making cards.
I have to agree with you; their attention to detail is second to none 🙂
Even their food is presented in those lovely bento boxes and the sushi too is so intricate.