The Zakka Kit is a mystery box from Neko Box that's full of 5-8 fun and quality stationery products that you'll be excited to use each month!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About The Zakka Kit
The Subscription Box: The Zakka Kit
The Cost: $19.99 + shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: 10MAIL
The Products: You'll always receive 5-8 fun and quality stationery products that you'll be excited to use each month!
Ships to: The US for $6.50 and Worldwide for an additional cost
Good to know: Boxes ship from Japan
The Zakka Kit November 2017 Review
The first thing you see when you open the box is the info card for the month and theme. You can win $10 off by tagging them in social media photos!
The reverse side has all of the month's items listed out with a short description.
Mini Vermillion Grid Notebook by Life Stationery - Retail Value $3.99
One can never hoard too many notebooks, and I especially delight in ones that have grid pattern like this red one. The notebook is thread-bound and has a space on the front for you to put your name or subject. The paper is an unbelievably soft and smooth high quality that will allow any pen or pencil to glide along with ease. This 4 x 6 inch size is great to travel with as well, so I can jot down to do lists or doodles no matter where I am.
Autumn Washi Stickers by Pin Up Japan
There's something about washi stickers that are just so delicate and pretty. The info card says that these are Autumn stickers, but I can't help but think they seem more Spring-like. I think it's the bunnies and flowers that do it. There are several different styles on the sheet with bunnies doing various things that I can't help but think are Japanese traditions. My favorite by far are the larger nighttime scenes with the bunny jumping through the air, backlit by the moon. <3
Black Brush Pen by Pentel - Retail Value $3.99 (found here for $2.50)
I've received similar brush pens to this in other boxes but this one is by Pentel, a trusted brand in the world of writing instruments. It has a dark grey sparkly body and has metallic gold writing on the side. I clearly still need to work on my brush pen skills, but slowly building an arsenal to practice with is a good way to start.
Classicky x Ten to Sen Autumn Washi Tape - Retail Value $2.99
This is a great style of washi tape for the season. Instead of oranges and reds, there are deeper plum leaves and greyish khaki birds that seem to match a few of the other items in this month's box. If I would have thought of it sooner, this would have made a great decorative tape for the Thanksgiving cards I gave to my family. Ah well, I know I'll find other uses for this pretty tape.
Autumn Fashion Print - Retail Value $3.99
Receiving prints in subscription boxes is always kind of meh for me since it's hard to put a good value on them. It normally feels like filler unless it's an artist I know and love. This particular one does grab me though, due to the illustration style. It reminds me of a comic book that I'd be into reading about this nice couple. They're walking hand in hand while the Autumn leaves fall around them. The guy seems to really love the woman he's with by the way he looks over at her.
Autumn Cat Postcard by Wadouraku x Yumiko Kobayashi - Retail Value $2.49
I'm also so-so about receiving postcards in sub boxes because unless I'm on a trip, I normally would never buy them. Luckily, this one has a cat on it which makes me like it more than I usually would. The cat is sitting under a Momiji (Japanese maple tree) as the resident of the house tidies up my sweeping the fallen leaves away. That's a pretty serene scene to take in.
Classicky x Ten to Sen Forest of Squirrels Coaster - Buy a set of 5 for $5.99
A paper coaster is an interesting item to include in this box, and I wish there was a whole set instead of just one. However, I do use coasters in my house and like to have single ones for my vintage desk and nightstands, so I will put this to good use. This one is a heavy cardstock, so I don't expect it to last forever, but the letterpress squirrel in the forest theme is pretty adorable. I like the maroon and navy colors they chose to use.
Bird on Branch Letterpress Card - Retail Value $2.99?
This small 3.5 inch squared letterpress card wasn't included on my info sheet, so I'm going to say it's a bonus item. I couldn't find the exact one on their site (it looks like it's sold out) but found the other cards it's similar to here. This would be perfect as a card to include with a gift and features a bird on a tree branch in brown and dusty blue.
Shiba Inu Stickers
There were also two loose Shiba Inu stickers in my box that brought a smile to my face. I met a Shiba for the first time over the summer, coincidentally enough in front of an Asian market called Panda Supermarket. Hermes was a joy to be around and even has his own Instagram account. The sticker on the right reminds me of his sweet face!
Verdict: My first Zakka Kit was pretty cool, and I thought they had a good variety of items. From the brush pen to notebook, to washi tape, to stickers, they included all of the things I'd expect to find in a Japanese stationery sub! The art print is surprisingly one of my favorite items because I really think the illustration style is cool, and I, of course, love receiving pens and notebooks (especially with grid paper). There were a lot of single paper-based items (coaster, print, postcard) which seemed a bit like filler, so I'm interested to see what other kinds of things are included in the coming months.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but you have until the 21st to receive the January box.
Coupon - Use code 10MAIL to save 10% off your first box!
Value Breakdown: At $26.49 ($19.99 + $6.50 shipping to Pittsburgh) for this box, you're paying approximately $3.78 per item (not including the letterpress card or Shiba Inu stickers).
Check out all of the stationery subscriptions in the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of The Zakka Kit for November?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.