Very thorough. Thanks for sharing. Hoping you had a wonderful trip to Japan. I visited Japan from the US back in 2023 and I haven't stopped thinking about the country. It was an eye opening experience. I fell in love with the people, the culture and all the stationary shops that were available.
The photos you took of the pilot iroshizuku inks in those tester pens inspired me to add Hankyu's stationery section to my itinerary. Thank you for sharing all these great shops!
About halfway through my trip, I started looking at the cost of shipping a box vs paying for second piece of checked luggage... luckily, I made it JUST under the limit, with something like 15 pounds of ink in my bag.
Such inkredible choices!! I don't know how you exercised so much self control. I would have been snatching up more inks that I could have possibly carried home! Thank you for another wonderful review!
Yes, if I hadn't set such strict rules for myself, if would have been a disaster! Even still, I was scared at the airport on the way home. Worked out just fine, though!
I took a notebook full of mentions and clues about rare inks with me... it was lots of fun to track down what was actually still available and figure out where these places were and how to get there. It's a great way to travel :-)
Really like the Sailor Sumire / Violet ink. And those vase bottles, wow. Wish they were available outside of Japan. Umeda Night is very nice, too. So many Sailor inks! I never knew Sailor made so many inks.
Wonderful virtual fountain pen ink exploration. You hit some great tourist sites and bites too. I was just at the Itoya in Yokohama (Takashiyama Dept. Store, Yokohama Station). You would have loved an "Ink Ink" event they had with over 200 inks for sampling. One only has to pay for a designated Y300 notebook to record all the swatches. They also had a special "Romeo" (house brand) "Red Brick" ink that looks a bit purple. I haven't been able to try them yet as they are wrapped up as duty free goods until I get home. Later this weekend will be a big Wagner Fountain pen trading event in Tokyo. I can't wait! Aloha and thanks for the relaxing video tour and swatches. Yes, one can see why they call it "ink numa" (ink swamp) here in Japan.
Next time that I go to Japan, I'll have to plan my trip around some of these INK Ink ink events! You may have seen that I found some of the leftover inks from one of them at the Ginza Itoya, but when I visited the Yokohama Itoya, they just had standard inks. Enjoy the Wagner event! That sounds awesome.
@@thewetpen …totally agree, even their garden variety Studio line has amazing shading surprises. That aside, is there U.S. access to any of the Japanese exotic inks you highlighted? That burgundy with green highlights was impressive. Keep up the good work, these videos are both informative and entertaining.
@@edwardrutledge2765 For me, the whole point of choosing inks that were store exclusives is that there isn't any other place that you can get them... I was specifically looking for stuff that I couldn't just buy from the comfort of my computer at home. That said, for almost all of these, there's at least one other, more common ink that is pretty similar.
Have you thought anymore about my asking for the Sailor Vase bottle? It can certainly by empty. I have a Sailor bottle of violet ink that the shape does not work well with larger pens.
Who uses all those inks in Japan --- and what are they doing with them? They seem to have more stationery stores in one city than we have in the whole U.S. And I can feel you on wanting to snatch tat dozen Preras!!! I have three and love them.
Yes, there are definitely more fountain pen shops in Tokyo than in the whole US... it's wonderful. Calligraphy, writing letters and using fine things in general is a big part of the Japanese culture that I can definitely get behind.
Look at all the beautiful Prera pens! Shin-Kai, Yama-budo and Kiri-Same (because I don't see Fuyu-Syogun) get my vote! 👀😍❤Too bad Tsuyu-Kusa is no more😭 Maroon on Rhodia is lovely; but on the rest of the papers, nope. The green sheen kills it for me. 👎 Sumire is lovely on all the papers. 👍 There are a lot of Tomo & Lims brown inks! I think I'd still be there, making up my mind 🤎 Sailor Lucifer nd Daybreak would have made it in my shopping basket! ✅ Sailor Wine Red has too much green sheen, like the Maroon. 👎for me. Amalfi Azzuro - I love blues with magenta sheen 💙 Assisi Verde interesting ink, with that black sheen💚 The one I would pick out of this lot? Amalfi Blue all the way, and the Ama-iro or Kon-Peki Prera in which to put the ink, and an empty vase bottle 😉
I kinda like the gold/green sheen on the Maroon when I write with it, though I agree it can be too much in larger swatches. I didn't get any sheen with the Wine Red when writing, so I'll always have that choice. I wish that I'd managed to get Daybreak and Lucifer into my cart!
Thanks :-) For the ink swabs, I use foam cleaning swabs from Amazon, like this... amzn.to/3Nk1Kms , but there are all kinds of different sizes if you want smaller or longer, etc.
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This video made a somewhat stressful day for me... quite relaxing. Thank you.
Very thorough. Thanks for sharing. Hoping you had a wonderful trip to Japan. I visited Japan from the US back in 2023 and I haven't stopped thinking about the country. It was an eye opening experience. I fell in love with the people, the culture and all the stationary shops that were available.
My pleasure 🙂 I felt the same way... after visiting in 2023, I went back again in 2024, and I'd really love to go back again soon.
The photos you took of the pilot iroshizuku inks in those tester pens inspired me to add Hankyu's stationery section to my itinerary. Thank you for sharing all these great shops!
What you are doing for community is priceless and nothing but perfection. Thank you so much!
Thanks 🙂
Thank you so much for this ink travelog. I would have wanted to buy a new suitcase to take home all of the inks!😂😮
About halfway through my trip, I started looking at the cost of shipping a box vs paying for second piece of checked luggage... luckily, I made it JUST under the limit, with something like 15 pounds of ink in my bag.
TSA would have seen all the bottles of inks in my pants and jackets, if it was a bit over.😂
The shading on that wine red!!!😍
Really nice, isn't it? Both of those burgundy colors in this video turned out to be pretty nice, I thought.
The blue looks like blue bonnet flower color.
I've enjoyed this series so much! Thank you for sharing your travels.
Thanks Sarah, I'm glad that you're enjoying them :-)
Such inkredible choices!! I don't know how you exercised so much self control. I would have been snatching up more inks that I could have possibly carried home! Thank you for another wonderful review!
Yes, if I hadn't set such strict rules for myself, if would have been a disaster! Even still, I was scared at the airport on the way home. Worked out just fine, though!
That violet looks awesome!
Thank you for this amazing series of videos as you explore the Japanese pen and ink shops. Your production values are very high and much appreciated.
Thanks Kelly... it's always nice to hear when someone appreciates the work I put into making the videos 🙂
When I went I hadn't gotten into fountain pens so looks like I missed out on some great inks and pens.
That's how I feel about my time in Europe!
Hi Matt, another great breakdown of your experience. Love it. Can't wait to see the next one.
Thanks Michael... good to have you along for the ride 🙂
I truly enjoyed watching this, as a new fountain pen collector. Thank you! 😊
Thanks Elizabeth! I appreciate your taking the time to watch it 🙂
I've been studiously taking notes on this series of videos. I love that maroon from Hankyu!
I took a notebook full of mentions and clues about rare inks with me... it was lots of fun to track down what was actually still available and figure out where these places were and how to get there. It's a great way to travel :-)
Really like the Sailor Sumire / Violet ink. And those vase bottles, wow. Wish they were available outside of Japan.
Umeda Night is very nice, too.
So many Sailor inks! I never knew Sailor made so many inks.
Love your presentation with regards to the place, the inks, the soft background music & your calm voice. All the boxes ticked!
Thanks Arlene 🙂
All your videos are incredible and aesthetically beautiful. Thank you for sharing these with us. Love from India !!
Thank you! Glad that you're enjoying them 🙂
@@thewetpen Indeed !! If you ever come to the city of joy, Kolkata, let me know, will meet you !!
@@rupeshsarkar Thanks!
Just had a pretty kid but stressful maths exam, definitely the best way to unwind!
Oh no! I wish this series could go on forever. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks :-) With any luck, I'll pick up this series again next year when I go back!
Wonderful virtual fountain pen ink exploration. You hit some great tourist sites and bites too. I was just at the Itoya in Yokohama (Takashiyama Dept. Store, Yokohama Station). You would have loved an "Ink Ink" event they had with over 200 inks for sampling. One only has to pay for a designated Y300 notebook to record all the swatches. They also had a special "Romeo" (house brand) "Red Brick" ink that looks a bit purple. I haven't been able to try them yet as they are wrapped up as duty free goods until I get home. Later this weekend will be a big Wagner Fountain pen trading event in Tokyo. I can't wait! Aloha and thanks for the relaxing video tour and swatches. Yes, one can see why they call it "ink numa" (ink swamp) here in Japan.
Next time that I go to Japan, I'll have to plan my trip around some of these INK Ink ink events! You may have seen that I found some of the leftover inks from one of them at the Ginza Itoya, but when I visited the Yokohama Itoya, they just had standard inks. Enjoy the Wagner event! That sounds awesome.
@@thewetpen you’ll have a lot of ink to enjoy before your next trip. 🖋️🏺
A dark blue ink with green sheen sounds like a dream blue for me.
Also very nice green...assisi
I’m so glad Japan is far, far away; I’d go broke buying inks, otherwise. Does Sailor do every ink wonderfully? Seriously.
It certainly seems that way so far :-) I don't think that I've found a bad Sailor ink yet.
@@thewetpen …totally agree, even their garden variety Studio line has amazing shading surprises. That aside, is there U.S. access to any of the Japanese exotic inks you highlighted? That burgundy with green highlights was impressive. Keep up the good work, these videos are both informative and entertaining.
@@edwardrutledge2765 For me, the whole point of choosing inks that were store exclusives is that there isn't any other place that you can get them... I was specifically looking for stuff that I couldn't just buy from the comfort of my computer at home. That said, for almost all of these, there's at least one other, more common ink that is pretty similar.
@@thewetpen …you’re right, of course; exclusive means exclusive. Just as well, feeding my ink appetite gets expensive. 😊
Appreciate your efforts taken for making this video. Good 👍
Keep it up sir
Take care
That Maple Red would be perfect here in Canada!
I woud periodically DHL stuff home because I travel light but I'm bad with temptation.
Have you thought anymore about my asking for the Sailor Vase bottle? It can certainly by empty. I have a Sailor bottle of violet ink that the shape does not work well with larger pens.
Hey Paul, I'm sorry... I don't think I can part wiith any of them right now. But I will let you know if I change my mind.
Who uses all those inks in Japan --- and what are they doing with them? They seem to have more stationery stores in one city than we have in the whole U.S. And I can feel you on wanting to snatch tat dozen Preras!!! I have three and love them.
Yes, there are definitely more fountain pen shops in Tokyo than in the whole US... it's wonderful. Calligraphy, writing letters and using fine things in general is a big part of the Japanese culture that I can definitely get behind.
Look at all the beautiful Prera pens! Shin-Kai, Yama-budo and Kiri-Same (because I don't see Fuyu-Syogun) get my vote! 👀😍❤Too bad Tsuyu-Kusa is no more😭
Maroon on Rhodia is lovely; but on the rest of the papers, nope. The green sheen kills it for me. 👎
Sumire is lovely on all the papers. 👍
There are a lot of Tomo & Lims brown inks! I think I'd still be there, making up my mind 🤎
Sailor Lucifer nd Daybreak would have made it in my shopping basket! ✅
Sailor Wine Red has too much green sheen, like the Maroon. 👎for me.
Amalfi Azzuro - I love blues with magenta sheen 💙 Assisi Verde interesting ink, with that black sheen💚
The one I would pick out of this lot? Amalfi Blue all the way, and the Ama-iro or Kon-Peki Prera in which to put the ink, and an empty vase bottle 😉
I kinda like the gold/green sheen on the Maroon when I write with it, though I agree it can be too much in larger swatches. I didn't get any sheen with the Wine Red when writing, so I'll always have that choice. I wish that I'd managed to get Daybreak and Lucifer into my cart!
Awesome video! Thank you for making this. What do you use to swab the ink? I find cotton swab is too absorbent
Thanks :-) For the ink swabs, I use foam cleaning swabs from Amazon, like this... amzn.to/3Nk1Kms , but there are all kinds of different sizes if you want smaller or longer, etc.
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