ZenPop Japanese Stationery Pack is a monthly subscription box brought to you by ZenMarket filled with unique Japanese stationery and studying goods handpicked by their staff in Japan.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. Check out the review processes post to learn more about how we review boxes!)
About ZenPop Stationery Pack
The Subscription Box: ZenPop Stationery Pack
The Cost: $29.50/one-time purchase (save with longer commitments)
The Products: 10 or more Japanese stationery items such as pens, stickers, notebooks, and more revolving around a monthly theme.
Ships to: Worldwide for free!
Good to Know: As of January 2019, ZenPop will become a subscription-only service so they will discontinue the inclusion of subscription-only bonus items. Past boxes are sometimes still available via their marketplace.
ZenPop Stationery May 2019 Spring Joy Pack
It is finally the lovely transition from spring to the hot summer months—let’s celebrate the end of spring with beautiful colors! This month features colorful items fit for “wakuwaku,” or thrill, for the joy of spring ❀ ✿
Every month ZenPop includes a poster that provides information of the products included, such as available colors, tidbits of information of usage, and background information of choosing the product.
The team also includes a nice thank you note that has a coupon for subscribers to use.
Diving into a joyful review~
mt Washi Tape in Daytime – Retail Value $3.50
Yes! One of my favorite stationery items… washi tape! Washi tape is a thin, masking-like tape that comes in hundreds of colors, patterns, and foil editions. The tape is loved by many stationery and bullet journal fans for the pretty designs and strong, durable versatility.
Isn’t this design breathtaking? Of the two editions, I received the daytime washi tape, with vibrant blues and pinks, perfect for spring! Definitely an addition for next month’s bujo spread (*´∀`*)
Floral Envelope Set
One of my favorite things about this subscription is being able to receive these beautiful, genuine Japanese stationery items, even products that can’t be purchased online. These letter envelopes are simply stunning. The touch of pastel watercolors and silver accents, with the cherry blossoms and cloud patterns make the envelope itself an invaluable gift.
This set of traditional envelopes, called “shuugi bukoro” in Japanese, are so elegant and pleasing to the eye. Subscribers could receive one of three different floral designs, and I received the cherry blossom (my favorite!)
Kokuyo Washi Tape Cutter – Retail Value $5.50
Out of the three pastel tones pink, blue, and white, I received the white version of this washi tape cutter. Though the product was unique and worked extremely well (after a tiny bit of fiddling), I prefer sticking with my sewing thread snipper for a straighter edge cut.
Flower Washi Stickers – Retail Value $4.90
More washi is always welcome! (≧∇≦) These stickers are made of the same light but durable fiber as washi tape, and have beautiful, watercolor-like designs. I received the white version of the floral set—other colors were yellow and violet. I love the wreaths and the gold foil accents are so pretty!
Sakura Pattern Washi Notepad
Prepare to be awed. This Japanese-style writing paper comes in two different patterns featuring gorgeous sakura designs in the lightest washes of pink and blue. “Ippitsusen” means “one stroke” in Japanese, as these letter pages were used to write a short message in a few sentences as a thank-you note or a gift memo.
But isn’t this paper itself just a gift to see? The thick, creamy paper adds even more to the experience and these flowers that adorn little music measures and dreamy backgrounds are too precious… I wonder if I will ever get the courage to tear a page out! Of the two designs, I received the music sakura version.
Cray-Pas Scented Eraser
Ah, scented erasers are a must in Asian stationery! Do not be fooled, as this is no crayon but an eraser! With a yummy smell of peaches, out of eight different fruity scents, this plastic eraser fits perfectly in any pencil case and is one of those smile-bringing stationery products.
Ikemen Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are a must for to-do lists and marking textbook pages. These sticky note sets are modeled after famous Japanese animation characters or celebrities. Though I couldn’t tell who this was, having another sticky note pack is always a plus!
Cats & Flowers Stickers
These stickers are a newer, popular style, called masking seal stickers especially among the bullet journal community. Unlike most normal paper stickers, masking seal stickers are much thinner, similar to washi. They’re nice to use and don’t thicken the page they’re on and are removable as well. This collection of cats and little bonsai trees and flowers just made my day. Isn’t it so cute?!
Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Brush in Light Green – Retail Value $3.40
Unlike many bullet journal enthusiasts, I prefer sticking to my normal handwriting rather than learning and practicing different calligraphy styles (though I am not one afraid to use my beloved Tombow brush pens). However, that didn’t stop me from trying out this fancy color brush pen!
Instead of a felt brush, this pen uses real brush hairs with ink flowing through the pen, similar to a watercolor paintbrush—the ink can be diluted as well with a blending pen. Out of 12 colors, I received a summery green perfect for the leaves of my flowers on my bujo!
Spring Flowers Mechanical Pencil
I am a mechanical pencil fiend. I love collecting limited editions and am a firm believer that they are the best writing utensil! I received, out of two designs, the plum blossom and birds set against a pastel sky blue. How much more spring can it get ❀
Verdict: A lovely goodbye to spring from this stationery curation, with colorful washes of color in washi notepads and stickers, happy cats and flowers, and a magical letter set to send spring joy along to those close to you! A gentle introduction to summer with our new brush pen as well~ I always recommend this subscription because it’s the best way to start your stationery collection and experience beautiful Japanese stationery sets, collectibles, and little goodies to keep on your desk ♡
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Unfortunately, you must sign up by the last day of the month… but subscribe for the next box here!
Value Breakdown: For $29.50, you receive 10 stationery items, so you’re paying about $2.95 per item.
Check out all of our ZenPop reviews and the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of May’s ZenPop Stationery Pack? What was your favorite spring item?
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