Hiroko KubotaWaiting on the ChordHON / A5 Size / Daily / ENG or JPN edition / Jan start / Mon start
- 2026 New
In a quiet, open landscape with a beautiful view, the world of Hiroko Kubota shines with originality, beauty, and unique ideas.
In Waiting on the Chord, Kubota picks up the imagery of a previous work and further expands the world, expertly weaving a new story in this drawing.
On the piano key for the note Mi, a single cat seems to be waiting for someone.
And again on the back of the cover, another cat is on the Mi key, quietly reading a book.
If only they get a little bit closer.
Only a little bit closer...and they could be forming a chord.
Perhaps these two are waiting for each other.
Right in front of the two cats, a wide lawn spreads out, drifting the fresh scent of grass directly to you.
A design that seems to suggest that someday, even in this quiet world, music will reach your ears.
A white cat that is cradling a red flower bud as if it were something precious.
It seems like it’s listening closely for something. Like it might be waiting for something...That’s the tale its expression seems to be telling.
On the back of the cover, a black cat is quietly reading a book. This cat also has something about its expression that makes you want to understand its deepest feelings, the thoughts quietly tucked into the corners of its heart as it sits there on the keyboard all by itself.
Also on the back cover are a large violin and a small blue bird. Perhaps, this little bird is also patiently waiting for the perfect time to sing its song, or maybe even to pluck the strings of the violin for a performance.
The front cover and spine include the year 2026. The silver foiling gives off a refined shine when it catches the light. 
In addition to the HON and the cover, the Hobonichi Graph Notebook Another night of falling star sparklers using Kubota’s work is available, and you can use this to match your techo.
The contents are the same as the Hobonichi Techo Cousin book. The HON A5 size includes weekly pages which track a week in each two-page spread for easy planning and contain a handy time schedule.
The bookbinding on the HON has thread-stitch binding similar to the Hobonichi Techo books, so it opens 180 degrees onto the table. It stays flat even if you don’t hold it down.
The book uses thin and light yet durable Tomoe River paper. It's characterized by its ability to hold ink well and provide a smooth writing experience.
The back of the book has bonus pages, including Memories 2026, 12 Switches to Help You Focus, and For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep.
As a special exclusive only for the HON, this techo comes with a pencil board. The board is clear, with 5mm grid lines printed across it. There are measurements printed along one side in 1mm increments, which allow for use as a ruler. It also has a pen holder attached to it where users can store pens by their clips.
About Hiroko Kubota
Born 1971. Illustrator. Uses acrylic gouache etc. to draw landscapes, people, and animals.
Instagram: @hiroko_kubota
Homepage: https://kuvotahiroko.jimdofree.com/
Introduction to the Hiroko Kubota series products
(Hobonichi Techo 2026 lineup)
Staff List
- Photographer
- Styled Images: Jin Yamamoto / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
- Stylist
- Reiko Ogino
- Makeup & Hair
- Takae Kamikawa (mod's hair)
- Model
- Julie Hachiya
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Specifications*Specifications may vary slightly
Size H: 214 x W: 152 x T: 20 mm / H: 8.4" x W: 6" x T: 0.8" Weight Approx. 490 g Main material Matte paper (PP coated) / Paper
- Book (HON English Edition / English / January Start)
Language English Pages 544 pages Paper Type / Binding Thin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding Graph Paper Size 3.7 mm Start of Week Monday-start week Yearly Calendar 2025, 2026, 2027 Yearly Index Jan. 2026 - Dec 2026 (4 pages) Monthly Calendar Dec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages) Daily Pages Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (377 pages)
*A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead.
*Every two-page spread includes one daily quote.
*Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
*Additionally, a blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book.Daily Quotes One quote per two-page spread (English) Weekly Pages Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 3, 2027 (106 pages) Memo Pages 6 pages Bonus Pages Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Words to Remember / 365 Days Check-Off Sheet / Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo / Gifts / Addresses / Personal Notes Listed Information Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon) Other See the Exploring Each Type page for more details
- Book (HON / Japanese / January Start)
Language Japanese Pages 544 pages Paper Type / Binding Thin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding Graph Paper Size 3.7 mm Start of Week Monday-start week Yearly Calendar 2025, 2026, 2027 Yearly Index Jan. 2026 - Dec 2026 (4 pages) Monthly Calendar Dec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages) Daily Pages Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (377 pages)
*A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead.
*All daily pages include daily quotes.
*Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
*Additionally, a blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book.Daily Quotes One per day (Japanese) Weekly Pages Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 3, 2027 (106 pages) Memo Pages 6 pages Bonus Pages Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / Personal Notes Listed Information Day of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon) Other See the Exploring Each Type page for more details
User recommendations
If you’ve used any of these products, we welcome your notes on what you like about them or what led you to buy them so we can share it with customers who are currently considering these products. We’d also love to welcome comments from customers who purchased their techo outside the Hobonichi Store or received their book as a gift.
Please Read Before You Buy
We’ve compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Additionally, the color of the product may be slightly different in actuality than compared to how it appeared on a computer or smartphone screen.
- About the included pencil board
The pen hook on the pencil board can hold a pen by its clip.
- About the paper used (techo)
The Tomoe River paper designed for planners is known for its thinness and smooth writing surface. However, depending on the type and amount of ink or pen used—as well as environmental conditions—some ink may bleed through or take longer to dry. We recommend testing your pens on an inconspicuous area first, or using a pencil board or blotting paper for best results.
- Apology and correction for Bonus Page in the English Hobonichi Techo 2026 books
In the 2026 English editions of the Hobonichi Techo HON (A6/A5), there was an error in the name of the supervisor listed on the bonus page titled 'For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep.'
Incorrect: Miho Mitsuhashi
Correct: Miho Mihashi
We deeply apologize for the error in the published content.