The A5-size Day-Free is a notebook-style techo that includes both grid-lined notebook pages and a monthly calendar. Since it’s the same size as the Hobonichi Techo Cousin, you can use the same covers for both.
It’s roughly half as thick as the Hobonichi Techo Cousin, making it even easier to carry around with you.
The notebook pages are printed with a 3.7 mm grid. Each page is formatted in the Day-Free style and includes a page number. The A5-size Day-Free contains 171 pages in total.
You can write as much or as little as you want, whenever you want, without being tied to specific dates. Write a journal entry, draw pictures or diagrams, paste in tickets, doodle — enjoy using it any way you like.
At the bottom of each grid-lined page, you’ll also find one carefully selected quote from the Hobonichi website.
The monthly calendar is the same one included in the Hobonichi Techo Cousin — a calendar with a faint grid printed across the full page, making it easy to jot down plans and notes. It covers December 2026 through March 2028. While there’s no April-start edition of the Day-Free, you can use it all the way through March of the following year.
Thanks to the thread-stitched binding, the techo opens flat at 180 degrees and stays that way — no need to hold the pages down.
The pages are made of thin and light yet durable Tomoe River paper that holds ink well, providing a smooth writing experience.

The back of the techo contains bonus pages, including standard favorites such as Favorites, My 100, and Solar Terms, as well as new additions like Phrases to Break That Writer’s Block, Useful Sign Language Phrases to Know, and the Hobonichi’s Neighborhood: Kanda/Jinbo-cho Map, among others.
We also offer a dedicated techo cover, the BS Lite, designed to fit the A5-size Hobonichi Techo Day-Free perfectly. It’s available in two colors: Black and Blue. 
In addition to the dedicated covers, you can also use any A5-size techo cover. Explore the different colors, materials, and designs to find your perfect match.
See cover lineup
| Size | H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 8 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.3" |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 220 g |
| Main material | Paper |
| Compatible Techo Covers |
| Size | A5 size H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 8 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.3" *Actual book size may vary slightly |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 220 g |
| Language | Japanese |
| Pages | 224 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 | 2026, 2027, 2028 |
| Yearly Index | Jan. - Dec. 2027 (4 pages) |
| Monthly Calendar | Dec. 2026 - Mar. 2028 (32 pages) |
| Daily Quotes | Included (Japanese) |
| Graph Paper | 171 pages |
| Bonus Pages | Time Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Phrases to Break That Writer’s Block / Useful Sign Language Phrases to Know / Hobonichi’s Neighborhood: Kanda/Jinbo-cho Map / 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) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (Full and new moon listed on monthly calendars) |
| Other | See the Exploring Each Type page for more details |
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.
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.
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.






















