Maruzen and Pilot Headquarters

I reminisce about the Maruzen Pen Fair and a day of fountain pen fun with some friends before we had the "State of Emergency" here in Tokyo. We went to the Maruzen Bookstore in Nihonbashi for their annual Fountain Pen Fair and then went to the Pilot Headquarters for Repairs. We end up in an "insider's secret" stationary store.
Cronicas Estilograficas post on Ohashido:
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[@caomhan84]

How come it took me so long to find this channel? This is amazing. My pen interest has been dormant for about a year and a half now, but seeing Japanese pens and stationery IN Japan has reignited it again. Thank you for presenting this in such a clear, friendly, and informative way.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! I do currently live in the best pen/stationery place in the world!

[@catwhisperer911]

Your content is not only interesting but beautiful too. Always a treat to watch. Thank you.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you for being so supportive! Makes the 20 or 30 hours I spend on each video worth it!

[@hwalker6135]

Stellar video! Also, I love it how when you truly like an ink, you pour it carefully into a beaker, lol'ed when I saw that

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! Sometimes...not too carefully hahaha!

[@stampinsan]

Sparkly pens! Oh my goodness, those were beautiful. I’m not on the “hunt” for one because I would then have no boundaries! 😬 But I do want one and will watch for one that comes to the states in the future. This video was wonderful. These is a Japanese Stationery store in San Francisco that I was going to visit when this virus shut us down. Soon. 😊

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! I love Japanese stationery stores! Have fun when you go (but your wallet won't hahaha).

[@timmarshall4881]

Thanks. I’m glad to have found your videos as you get the correct balance with ease of watching and informative info. Tim

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much, especially for your feedback. It is sometimes difficult trying to balance between being myself, trying to be entertaining and trying to offer information!

[@VincentDuxD]

It looked like somebody’s hobby, yeah, it’s my brand new side job now😂 thanks for the inspiration 😂

[@InkyRocks]

So are you going to open up shop!?

[@rohitpid]

I love the videos where we get to see what Japanese stationery stores are like. Thank you!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you for that feedback--I didn't think many would be interested in it and that's why I originally thought I wouldn't make this video!

[@rohitpid]

@@InkyRocks I think your channel is the only way to get a glimpse of Japanese pen stores/culture in an English language video. This and the ink splatter ink reviews (with calm music) are the most unique things that no one else is doing that I appreciate. They are nice to watch before bedtime because of the relatively airy music and tone.

[@InkyRocks]

@@rohitpid hahaha! Thanks! I've not thought of it that way. I will keep it in mind!

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Never been to a pen show but enjoyed Maruzen and their Athena pens. Never tried their ink though. Nice to remember life before COVID-19.

[@InkyRocks]

Seriously. Hopefully we will be able to return someday soon. Their ink is pretty awesome and I love their bottle!

[@MyLifeMits]

Konnichiwa! I am a recent sub and am loving the channel content :) It was a special surprise to see the sweet miraikat too

[@InkyRocks]

Oh--she's the best! I go to her whenever I need info on an ink!! Thank you so much!

[@docfrayon]

I like the big fat one... And who wouldn't like something with a dragon on it ?? :)

[@InkyRocks]

Seriously! I need more dragons!

[@Snick3927]

Thanks for this 'silk purse' video-every bit as lush and intriguing as its predecessors. Is Maruzen the manufacturer of that ingenious pad holder? I’ve been scouring the internet for exactly such a piece for my Midori MD 'tear-off' A5 pad, but an upside-down box lid is the best I could come up with myself...

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! Yes, Maruzen sold it as an "original goods" during the fair and I think it's still for sale now.

[@Snick3927]

Inky.Rocks ...but not to Philadelphia via online ordering, it seems. Guess I better get (more) serious about that long-delayed trip to Tokyo (-your videos sharpen the urge!)

[@AlexiLaiho227]

your videos are always so relaxing and pleasant. i love your channel. you're amazing.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much!

[@superplannergirl]

Did you buy one of those Sparkly sailors? I want one soooo badly but the US market for them is horrible! Fun video!!! Thanks so much!

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! Yes I did--two of them! But I'm kind of sparkled out and will be selling some of them. Thank you! ✨

[@superplannergirl]

@@InkyRocks I am in need of some sparkle-- any way I could e-mail you or contact you about being a potential buyer? : )

[@InkyRocks]

@@superplannergirl If you have an IG, I'm there and you can DM me. If not, give me a day or so to make an email. I've been meaning to do that but haven't got around to it.

[@superplannergirl]

@@InkyRocks my husband has an IG... I will hop on there (username is gkschick112)

[@superplannergirl]

@@InkyRocks okay- DM sent over there. Thank you :)

[@thepengreek5476]

Great vid friend x

[@InkyRocks]

Thanks as always. I SO am getting letters out this week!!

[@thepengreek5476]

Inky.Rocks hahaha... yes me too!! xx

[@Detman101]

10:38 Oh....My....Goodness. I think I'm in love. i HAVE to have one of those decorated Iroshizuku bottles!!! Does Pilot sell them? If not, I'm going to have to make a few!! I think I know how already...Clear Resin and lots of fun things to float inside! Ooooohwie...this is going to be fun!!!! I can get the empty ink bottles from Gouletpens.com and the rest is commonly available. SWEET!!!

[@InkyRocks]

No, they don't sell them. I think it was someone in their office that did it as a hobby. I think it is in water or oil not resin though. It is a popular hobby here.

[@Detman101]

@@InkyRocks Oh wow...oil...that would require finding the specific gravity of the items "floated" inside the oil in comparison to the density of the oil. Tricky...this will take some research.

[@tuhkathri9126]

Oh those carefree pre-covid days! Dissapointing that he couldn't fix her pen. That's why I stay clear of vintage items in general. Samevthing happens with vintage watches. They are beautiful and elegant until they break. Then you are out of luck if there are no replacement parts.

[@InkyRocks]

I definitely agree with you. I used to be SO into vintage because of the superior flex. But now that a lot of nib grinders are coming out with decent flex and an easy to deal with converter, I sold almost all of my vintage!

[@troywhite8980]

Another great video!! I love Japan's fascination with stationery!! I would fit in perfectly! PS - do you speak Japanese? How difficult (or easy) is it for English speakers to navigate as tourists through Tokyo?

[@InkyRocks]

Thanks so much! I speak enough Japanese to have had a baby in a rural area, bank and grocery shop. I read at a basic first or second grade level hahaha! Going thru Tokyo, I really don't think you need any Japanese other than "Thank you". When I was first learning Japanese and trying to read the subway map it was frustrating because I couldn't practice, too many people were trying to help me!

[@roderickfemm8799]

Thanks for the video, very interesting as always. As it happens, my in-laws live in Hiratsuka where there is a (or the) Pilot factory. The next time I visit, I've been thinking about seeing if they do tours, and if I could manage to go to one. Have you ever been to a large pen factory?

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! No, I have never been to a pen factory. All of us are planning "fountain pen field trips" and this would be a great idea! I hope you can go. I would imagine that it would be so interesting!

[@miltonbonani2952]

Great video! I love to see the stores in Japan. Beautiful inks, pens and notebooks. Best regards

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! I would really like to get better on my filming as I don't do justice to some of these gorgeous places. Still studying!

[@MultiEbbot]

Great video as always. :)

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much!

[@Detman101]

Omg...I loved this video. That looked to be SUCH a fun experience getting to go to actual pen shops! I feel like such a newbie kid all over again having never been to ANYTHING pen related in real life. Everything about fountain pens I've seen or experienced has been through youtube or in my own pen journey. I've never even seen another person using a fountain pen! I really hope and pray that this COVID-19 pandemic goes away soon, I'd like to get out to a pen show or even just get out in the public and have a chance to meet another pen person and talk about pens.

[@InkyRocks]

Yes, it's really fun going to pen shows and shops--it's like meeting your "people" hahaha! Eventually you will be able to go out and you will have fun!

[@jonessarah001]

I am in love with your channel! Thank you so much for taking the time to make such amazing content and brightening up my lonely work days. I look forward to watching and listening to you talk about ink and seeing all the pretty colours and pens. Also so interesting to see Japan, my No 1 travel destination. 💕 X

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your feedback as sometimes it's a struggle to get these videos out haha! Hope you can make it out here--You will love it!

[@korax67]

Amazing .... ! ! ! !

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! It's funny, I thought it would be hard to make this interesting--panning shots of stores don't look good. Thanks!