The Jibun Techo (ジブン手帳), designed by Hideaki Sakuma and produced by Kokuyo, is a Japanese planner system that translates to “My Planner” or “Myself Planner.” It organizes every aspect of your life — daily schedules, professional projects, long-term goals, and even personal memories.
Since its release in 2012, Jibun Techo has gained global recognition. Productivity enthusiasts, stationery collectors, and professionals value its modular design, premium paper, and structured layouts. According to Kokuyo’s sales reports, demand for Jibun Techo has grown steadily, with international editions now available in English to reach a wider audience.
How Does the Jibun Techo System Work?
The Jibun Techo is a modular system. At its core, it includes three booklets that you can purchase together as a First Kit or separately:
- DIARY – A dated planner with yearly, monthly, and weekly spreads.
- LIFE – A permanent record keeper for anniversaries, bucket lists, family history, and world events.
- IDEA – A grid notebook (3.7mm) for notes, sketches, and brainstorming.
This separation allows you to manage short-term planning and long-term documentation without clutter. Many users report higher productivity when using modular planners compared to single-book systems.
What Are the Jibun Techo Product Options?
Kokuyo has expanded the line to suit different lifestyles.
| Product | Description | Best For |
| Standard | Includes DIARY, LIFE, and IDEA in A5 Slim or B6 Slim sizes | All-in-one planning |
| Biz | Professional edition with subdued colors and smoother paper | Corporate settings |
| DAYs | One-year format with a 24-hour vertical timeline | Hourly scheduling |
| Lite | Simplified DIARY with weekly vertical pages and Gantt chart | Minimalist users |
Market surveys show that the Standard edition remains the most popular, but the Biz version is gaining traction among professionals who prefer a clean, business-like design.
What Features Make Jibun Techo Unique?
- 24-hour vertical weekly layout – Plan every hour, including nighttime.
- Comprehensive trackers – Record moods, meals, weather, sunlight, and moon phases.
- Habit and project management – Use monthly Gantt charts to track progress.
- Premium Kokuyo paper – Choose THIN PAPER (lightweight, bleed-resistant) or MIO paper (smooth, fountain-pen friendly).
- Lay-flat binding – Write comfortably across pages.
- English availability – Recent editions include English headers for global users.
A 2023 stationery survey found that 68% of planner users prefer built-in trackers, which explains Jibun Techo’s popularity among detail-oriented planners.
What Makes the LIFE Book Special?
The LIFE booklet is designed to last beyond a single year. It acts as a personal archive.
Key sections include:
- Life’s Dream – A bucket list with completion tracking.
- 100 Wishes List – Space to record aspirations.
- Monthly Anniversary Pages – Consolidate birthdays and anniversaries.
- World Travel Map – Track visited and future destinations.
- Years Pages – Record personal, family, and world events up to age 99.
- Favorite Photos Section – Preserve memories visually.
Users often describe the LIFE book as a “memory keeper,” making Jibun Techo more than a planner — it becomes a life journal.
Which Paper Type Should You Choose?
- THIN PAPER – Lightweight, durable, resists bleed-through, ideal for portability.
- MIO PAPER – Thicker, smoother, fountain-pen friendly, used in LIFE and Biz editions.
Fountain pen users often prefer MIO paper, while those who carry planners daily choose THIN PAPER for its slim profile.
How Does Jibun Techo Compare to Hobonichi Techo?
Both are iconic Japanese planners, but they serve different needs.
| Feature | Jibun Techo | Hobonichi Techo |
| Layout | Structured weekly with 24-hour timeline | Minimal daily pages with quotes |
| Tracking | Built-in trackers for habits, moods, meals | Blank space for customization |
| System | Modular (DIARY, LIFE, IDEA) | All-in-one (Cousin A5, Weeks) |
| Paper | Kokuyo THIN / MIO | Tomoe River paper |
Planner communities often debate the two. Structured users lean toward Jibun Techo, while creative users prefer Hobonichi.
Why Should You Use Jibun Techo?
- You need hourly scheduling for work or study.
- You want to archive life events permanently.
- You manage projects and habits with Gantt charts.
- You enjoy premium stationery and modular systems.
A 2022 productivity study revealed that structured planners improve task completion rates by 23%, making Jibun Techo a strong choice for professionals and students.
Final Thoughts
The Jibun Techo is more than a planner. It is a life system that helps you organize your schedule, document your dreams, and preserve your memories. Its modular design, premium paper, and advanced layouts make it one of the most versatile planners available today.