Hobonichi Weeks vs Cousin vs Original: Which Planner Is Right for You?
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Hobonichi gives you three main planner formats to choose from: the Weeks (compact weekly), the Original (A6 daily), and the Cousin (A5 daily). They all share that famous Tomoe River paper and the thoughtful Japanese design. But they serve very different planning styles. If you are trying to decide which one to buy, I will walk you through every difference so you can pick with confidence.
At a Glance Comparison
| Feature | Hobonichi Weeks | Hobonichi Original (A6) | Hobonichi Cousin (A5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 95 × 188 mm (passport-like) | 105 × 148 mm (A6) | 148 × 210 mm (A5) |
| Layout | Weekly horizontal + monthly + notes | One full page per day | One full page per day + weekly spread |
| Paper | Tomoe River (52 gsm) | Tomoe River (52 gsm) | Tomoe River (52 gsm) |
| Pages | 240 pages | ~450 pages (365 daily + extras) | ~450 pages (365 daily + weekly + extras) |
| Start Date | January or April | January or April | January or April |
| Cover | Sold separately or in sets | Sold separately | Sold separately |
| Price (book only) | $20–$28 | $28–$38 | $35–$45 |
| Best For | Weekly overview, on-the-go planning | Daily journaling, portability | Detailed daily + weekly planning |
Hobonichi Weeks: The Compact Weekly Planner
The Weeks is the smallest and most portable Hobonichi. Its passport-like shape (95 x 188 mm) slips easily into a pocket or small bag. The layout gives you a horizontal weekly spread on the left page with a notes page on the right. Perfect for seeing your whole week at a glance. The front section has monthly calendars, and the back has graph paper for notes and lists.
Who it is for: I recommend the Weeks if you mostly need a weekly overview. Appointments, deadlines, meal planning, habit tracking. It is less suited for daily journaling because there is no dedicated daily page. If you write more than a few lines per day, the weekly space will feel cramped.
Pros: Most portable Hobonichi, excellent for weekly planning, affordable, many cover options (including the popular "Cousin" cover size).
Cons: No daily pages for journaling, limited writing space per week, small format may not suit detailed planners.
Hobonichi Original A6: The Classic Daily Journal
The Original (A6) is the classic Hobonichi that started it all. Each day gets a full page with a vertical timeline from 6 AM to midnight, a to-do list, and space for notes. The A6 size (105 x 148 mm) is slightly larger than a pocket notebook. Portable enough to carry daily, but large enough for a meaningful journal entry.
Who it is for: I think the Original is perfect if you want to write a daily journal entry. The one-page-per-day format encourages consistency without feeling overwhelming. The vertical timeline works for time-blocking, but honestly, plenty of people ignore it and use the space for free-form journaling, drawing, or memory-keeping.
Pros: One full page per day for journaling, very portable (fits in most bags), Tomoe River paper shows fountain pen inks beautifully, huge cover selection.
Cons: A6 may feel small for big writers, no built-in weekly spread, cover sold separately, thin paper ghosts (normal for Tomoe River).
Hobonichi Cousin A5: The Everything Planner
The Cousin (A5) is the largest and most complete Hobonichi. It includes everything: monthly calendars, weekly spreads, and a full daily page for each day of the year. The A5 size (148 x 210 mm) gives you way more writing space than the Original. Roughly double the area per page.
Who it is for: The Cousin is for serious planners and prolific journalers who want it all. If you need weekly planning (appointments, tasks) AND daily journaling space, the Cousin delivers. The larger pages also make it my top pick for artists, scrapbookers, and anyone who likes to paste in photos and memorabilia.
Pros: Most comprehensive layout (monthly + weekly + daily), largest writing space, perfect for mixed-media journaling, includes weekly spreads that the Original lacks.
Cons: Bulky and heavy to carry daily, most expensive option, may have too much structure for minimal planners, cover costs add up.
How to Choose
| If you... | Choose the... |
|---|---|
| Primarily need a weekly overview | Weeks |
| Want to write a daily journal entry | Original A6 |
| Need both weekly + daily pages | Cousin A5 |
| Carry your planner everywhere | Weeks |
| Use fountain pens heavily | Any (all use Tomoe River paper) |
| Want space for drawing and pasting | Cousin A5 |
| Are on a budget | Weeks |
| Want to try Hobonichi for the first time | Original A6 (the classic experience) |
Final Verdict
Honestly, there is no wrong choice among the three Hobonichi formats. Each serves a different planning style. The Weeks is the master of weekly overview and portability. The Original A6 is the classic daily journal that has been winning hearts for nearly two decades. The Cousin A5 is the full system for those who want it all.
If you are still unsure, I would start with the Original A6. It is the most balanced option and the true Hobonichi experience. A lot of people eventually add a Weeks for work planning alongside their A6 for personal journaling. I use both myself.