This notebook from Japan is notoriously hard to get unless you live in Japan, Hong Kong or U.S.A. I first heard about it from Patrick Ng’s blog while I was searching for my next journal. Typically I go through journals really fast and I’m partial to Strathmore Premium Recycled Sketchbook paper (which I’m using now) but the covers are hideous. So with that in mind, I looked for a journal that allows refillable papers yet look fashionably simple.
I found a Japanese store online that ships worldwide (cue: rejoice!) and as much as I wanted to post here immediately and share this information, I waited for the parcel to arrive first. And arrive it did! In just one week using Japan’s EMS. That’s freakin’ fast.
The site is called Bundoki.com and although everything is in Japanese, I’ll try to give as detailed instructions as I possibly can.
If you’re using Firefox, I strongly suggest you install a Firefox Add-On called East Asian Translator. When you have that installed, right click on page and under Translate, pick Japanese to English. It will open another translated tab.
On the main page, just click on International Order on the right hand column.
Here, they will give you instructions on how to purchase from them.
To find the items, it’ll be a tad difficult if you don’t have Japanese to English translator but you can also use Google Translate.
Midori Traveler’s Notebook’s link is the one under Moleskine here:
Hope that helps! Feel free to contact me if you bump into any problems (navigation wise).
And… here comes my pictures of Midori Traveler’s Notebook! I plan to bring this one around Hong Kong when I go there next January.
Packaged really lovingly. This is what impressed me the most. The attention to detail.
The refill notebooks and a repair kit.
A kind of paper clip I thought was kinda cute and ordered as well.
Bundoki.com’s free gift - it’s a scaled down version of eraser pen.
The whole thing just feels well constructed and lightweight, yet solid. The leather is extremely scratchable - perfect if you like a worn, grunge look for your journal.
Jee laughingly broke into Indiana Jones’ theme song when he got his turn to look at the notebook.
The paper is smooooooth! I imagine it must be really lovely to write on - though I prefer a little bit of tooth in my paper. I’m pleased to see it’s ivory instead of stark white. I loathe that shade.
I have yet to figure out how to insert more than one booklet in there. It’s time to look through Patrick’s flickr album again. Ah, here it is! Thanks Patrick, for making that guide!
I’m being constantly made fun of because apparently nobody uses a journal anymore now that everyone owns a PDA (which I do too, sadly). It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who still enjoys actually writing things down. :)
And I love soft worn leather! So this is perfect for me to use as a organizer once I’m through with my current one.
Btw, nice blog. :D
MisSmall @ 14th Sep 2008
MisSmall: Made fun?! They have no idea what they’re missing out on. Journaling, scrapbooking, or any type of analog way of doing things is a rapidly dying passion but has recently just revived with the popularity of Moleskine, Ciak, etc.. and recently, Midori. Thousands of people tote a PDA (which is soulless, limiting and cold - incidentally, I have one too - in a form of my phone) which is not unique at all. Next time they give you a hard time, ask them this: can they paint in their PDA? Can they collect receipts, tickets, memorabilia and stick things in their PDA? Don’t listen to them, I really hope I have inspired you in some way to pick it up again. :)
Btw, I just hopped over to your site and saw severals things I want to note:
1) You’re a fellow Sarawakian!! *hugs* :D
2) Ah, I’m envious of your BB Cream… I heard about it too but couldn’t make myself part with hundreds of ringgit to buy one. *LOL* I just bought some mineral makeup and those are burning a hole in my pocket already! Of course, I’ll be waiting for your review. :)
3) I agree with the post about Malaysia Tak Boleh - I’m getting increasingly frustrated about our country at the moment.
4) I’m trying to exercise nowadays too - I paid dearly for what I did yesterday - which is an unwarmed-up boxing marathon on Wii. :O Ouch. I hope your exercise regime pays off!
5) I like your blog too - so much so… I’m adding you to my blogroll. :P Hope you don’t mind.
Elvawenn @ 15th Sep 2008
I Know! I love pasting different colours of sticky notes and what-not’s in my organizer. And don’t even get me started about stickers! Stationery shop is like my candy store, I can spend hours and LOTS of money in it. Haha.
(Oh, and what you said about PDAs, couldn’t have put it better myself.)
Thanks for dropping by my site and adding me. You’re on my blogroll too. We Sarawakian gals must flock together huh? *Winks*
MisSmall @ 16th Sep 2008
MisSmall: Is there a stationery addicts anonymous groups? We should enroll together. *LOL* I feel the same way about stationery shops, and I can’t walk past one without going in, even though I know what they sell by heart! It’s incredibly baffling. :D
True that. Sarawakians should stick together. :) I’m wondering, are you in Australia at the mo’ or back home already?
Elvawenn @ 16th Sep 2008
Do you buy them and sometimes you don’t have the heart to use them? I know that sounds like someone with serious issues, but that’s me. Haha. Now I buy everything in 2’s, so I can use one, and keep the other one new. I’m sick, I know. :P
I’m back in Malaysia for an extended holiday. KL, mostly. Sarawak, in between. :)
MisSmall @ 16th Sep 2008
When it comes to journals, yes. There’s something about the first blank piece of paper staring mockingly at me, daring me to write/draw something worthwhile. If the first page is ruined, the rest of the journal is ruined. Does that make any sense? OMG!! We’re both weird. :P
But we’re adorably weird. :D
Anyway, great to hear you’re on a holiday - I could use one myself. Hopefully KL is brimming with sales so you can bring home some loot and bounty. Arr! *does a lame pirate imitation*
Elvawenn @ 17th Sep 2008
my message has been eaten by you~! i forgot to put the spam protection~!
argh~!
oh well… i was saying that your journal looks darn cool~! i love this kind of vintage / old school stuff alot…. and the paper’s shading… AWESOME…
love it so very much
would try to get it in Hong Kong when i am heading down there this oct…
i am soooooo JEALOUS of yoU~!
hahaha ^_^
UncleJosh @ 18th Sep 2008
UncleJosh: Thank you! :) Wei… why call yourself Uncle wor.. you’re still young! :D Er… you are, right? :P
Anyway, LOVE your photos! Very saturated and sharp - especially your dusk picture. I sure can learn a thing or two from you. I’m just starting out - my skills are nowhere as good as yours. =,=”
Haha… great! You’re going to get one too? Head over to City’Super - that’s the only place I know that is supposed to stock it in HK. Not sure if they have in stock or not (knock on wood) so hopefully you can get yours.
Thanks for leaving a comment! :)
elvawenn @ 18th Sep 2008
In fact when I go travelling I will bring something to write with me. It’s funny how I took out my notebook(not the electronic one :P) and start writing after I had my lunch at Miri last time, people suddenly stared at my directon. Even in KL too. What to do? I need to jot down whatever I had eaten and spent for blogging purpose, I took some photos summore before that. They must be wondering what am I doing *LOL* A spy? I’m not very particular on anything like the design and so on, as long that’s it’s something that I can make some notes(food I ate, how much I had spent, my route etc.) for blogging purpose later when I’m back will do. After that, the notebook will be tucked somewhere until my next travel.
oh… my everyay minerals samples reached already yesterday. No brushes to use and I used my fingers apply to my face to test out the foundations to see which colour suit me and I think I found one but not very sure yet. Have to try out again when free. I even tried to use my blusher brush *LOL* Will blog about it soon.
Irene @ 19th Sep 2008
Irene: Haha.. yeah, that’s the whole purpose of it, and more. Why would people stare? Sheesh. So sakai one… Don’t say Miri… Kuching also sometimes got people like that, but not that bad.
Fingers? *sweat* Well, not entirely sure if can use that way… but blusher brush can also work. Most people recommend Kabuki because it’s so big and fluffy, and the coverage is wide. Why don’t you buy from The Face Shop or Elianto? I think they have also…
Elvawenn @ 19th Sep 2008
Went to do survey there already but haven’t buy. One of them don’t have kabuki when I was there and tha time I was only doing some survey coz I planned to buy online. Till now I haven’t have to do go out do any shopping. Yeap I used fingers and it was ok actually but if you want to do some big coverage the it’s not easy and possivle. I was using it to tap on some spots to check out which foundation colour suit me. Then today I tried to use cotton bud for the concealer, it was ok too but brush is better ;p
Irene @ 19th Sep 2008
adui… my fingers were dancing around too fast until I forgot to check on what I typed ;p I mean I “haven’t have time”, “possible”
Irene @ 19th Sep 2008
Irene: It turns out Gette also got her EM mineral samples too. ;) Then, she realized after that her face is now a blank canvas so she started playing with eyeshadows too. :D
It’s funny how locally there isn’t a lot of places we can look for a kabuki brush. At times like these, a blush brush should work also. So how do you like your EM makeup so far?
Elvawenn @ 20th Sep 2008
The concealer is quite OK, I’m still trying to blend it with the foundation colour to cover up my dark circles *LOL* It does work a bit but still need time to get the right blend. I’m thinking of getting another sample along with the brushes so that there’s more colour to experiment with. So far I only use the blusher as blusher and also as eyeshadow. Whole face foundation application I haven’t do it yet wait till I got the brushes. Since they have new olive colour range available now, so I might order those new colours and see how well they blend. Haven’t edit the pictures yet ;p
Irene @ 21st Sep 2008
Irene: Till today, I have not finished my samples yet. *LOL* It’s really generous. Btw, do make a post about Everyday Minerals, so that I can see your collection. :P
You know, come to think of it, buying it online like this is even cheaper than say, buying from a branded name over the counter locally. Which is nice. :)
elvawenn @ 21st Sep 2008
[...] went unanswered, and I had pretty much given up on reviewing one of these when I stumbled on Just Ann’s blog, which had full instructions for ordering from a Japanese online retailer. I was a bit skeptical, [...]
Japanese Minimalism: The Midori Traveler’s Notebook @ 8th Dec 2008
I was searching online store for Midori traveller notebook and found your site. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Pang @ 9th Dec 2008
Very cool, fantastic pics, glad I found the blog!!!
Speedmaster @ 9th Dec 2008
Pang and Speedmaster, you’re welcome. Glad you found this post useful. :)
elvawenn @ 11th Dec 2008
Hello! Just wanted to let you know, MaiDo Stationery sells Traveler’s Notebook too =) Just give us a call to place an order and we will send them right to your home*
MaiDo Stationery @ Santana Row @ 16th Jul 2009
Hi there, I am interested in buying a Midori traveler’s notebook! How can I get one?
Thank you,
Malia
Malia Wike @ 13th Aug 2009