Paper planners are gaining popularity again. Kanto Smart Living Cooperative points out that handwriting brings a sense of stability to organizing thoughts and life rhythm, and is more comfortable running alongside digital technology.

As the year draws to a close, major retailers have begun selling 2026 paper planners. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – In today’s world, where calendar apps and cloud tools are already integrated into our lives, paper planners have unexpectedly become a rising star. A survey of 1,000 Japanese respondents in Takahashishoten’s “2026 Calendar White Paper” found that half still primarily manage their schedules with paper planners. This shows that in this information-saturated age, handwriting remains an indispensable part of many people’s lives.

The survey found that respondents’ reasons for choosing paper planners are not just “habit.” Many mentioned the openness of paper planners: the blank spaces on the pages allow for free expression of ideas, drawing, writing inspiration, and recording to-do lists and daily observations without format restrictions. More importantly, handwriting will enable people to pause and establish a stable connection with life. More and more people are using planners as “life organizers,” naturally incorporating everything from schedules and emotions to inspirations, moods, and recipes, and even snippets of conversation.

However, avid paper planner users are not a group rejecting technology. Surveys show that 55.7% of paper planner users also use electronic note-taking tools. They believe both have their strengths: digital can provide reminders, synchronization, and sharing; paper is suitable for reflection, contemplation, and organizing thoughts. Many people also use paper to manage their personal lives and their phones to manage work, creating more precise boundaries and rhythms.

Half of the respondents indicated that they primarily manage their schedules using paper calendars. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

Among the many respondents, two paper planner users of different ages shared their reliance on handwriting. A university student currently busy with coursework said, “Writing down my progress each day gives me a greater sense of control than seeing phone reminders. Handwriting helps organize jumbled information, like reorganizing the wires in my brain.”

A retiree said he opens his paper planners daily to record walking routes, blooming times of flowers, or sudden culinary ideas. “Flipping through those pages is like reviewing how I lived my day; paper planners make life more meaningful.”

In response to the trend of balancing paper and digital tools, the Kanto Smart Living Cooperative offers several practical suggestions to help users find the most comfortable rhythm between the two. They point out that paper planners are perfect for “slowing down”: for thinking, planning, writing down wishes or long-term goals, which can lead to greater clarity of mind; while digital tools are best suited as a center for “reminders and actions,” especially when cross-device synchronization or team collaboration is required.

Furthermore, the Kanto Smart Living Cooperative recommends setting aside time each week to transfer tasks from paper planners to digital tools to avoid omissions. At the same time, they also reminded people that it is not necessary to insist on using only one method. Making choices based on the current situation and mood can make life smoother and more comfortable.

Media Contacts:
Kanto Smart Living Cooperative

PR Agency:
MERXWIRE INC.
Ada Huang
[email protected]

SOURCE: Kanto Smart Living Cooperative

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