Choosing between an A5 and an A6 Hobonichi Techo can look like a simple size comparison. In practice, the page changes how you carry the planner, where you open it, and what feels possible to write down.
The larger page is not automatically better for a busy life. The smaller page is not automatically better for carrying. Start with the moment when you expect to use the book.
The basic trade-off
Hobonichi’s official guides describe the Original as A6 and the Cousin as A5. The A6 page is closer to a compact personal book; the A5 page gives more room for schedules, notes, sketches, and pasted material.
| Question | A6 is easier when… | A5 is easier when… |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying | the planner travels with you most days | it usually stays in a bag or at a desk |
| Writing | you prefer a short record | you write long notes or several lists |
| Planning | appointments are the main content | work, projects, and memory notes share the page |
| Reviewing | you want a compact record | you want to see more context at once |
This is a starting point rather than a verdict. A person who writes very small may find A6 comfortable for detailed notes, while someone who writes only appointments may find A5 unnecessarily large.
Choose by the page you would fill on a difficult day
Imagine a day with several appointments, one unexpected task, and a note you want to remember. Where would those items go?
If the answer is “one short line and a time,” the A6 page may provide enough room. If you want to record the context, attach a receipt, add a project list, or leave space for a sketch, A5 may reduce the need to squeeze everything together.
Do not imagine an ideal day. Imagine a normal difficult day. The planner should support the amount of writing that really happens, not the amount you hope will happen after buying it.
Portability is more than the page size
A6 is easier to slide into a smaller bag, but the cover, accessories, pen, and added papers also affect the total volume. An A5 planner can still be practical if it stays in a work bag or beside a keyboard.
Check these details before deciding:
- whether the planner leaves the house every day
- whether you write while standing or seated
- whether the book must fit beside a phone or wallet
- whether you carry a pen and accessories with it
- whether you prefer writing on a desk rather than on your lap
The smallest page is not useful if it is uncomfortable to write on while moving. The largest page is not useful if it stays at home when you need the information elsewhere.
The same habit can need different sizes
An A6 planner can work as a daily memory line, a short schedule, or a portable personal record. An A5 planner can combine appointments with meeting notes, project planning, and freeform writing.
Neither format determines whether you will continue. A page that looks manageable can still feel demanding if you expect every entry to be decorative or complete. A large page can feel forgiving when it lets you write in different ways without squeezing.
If you often leave pages blank because there is too much pressure to fill them, review the expected entry before changing size. If you regularly move notes to loose paper because the page is too small, size may be the problem.
Test with your usual pen and one real note
When possible, test a comparable page in a shop. Use the pen you normally carry and write the kind of note you actually make. Add a date, a task, and one sentence. Do not test only with a carefully written sample.
Look for whether your hand has room, whether the line spacing suits your writing, and whether the page makes you want to add information or stop. Paper feel and pen behavior can change the decision as much as the external dimensions.
A quick decision path
Choose A6 first if the main requirement is a planner that travels, holds short entries, and opens easily in a small space. Choose A5 first if the main requirement is a page that can hold several kinds of information at once.
If both seem plausible, choose the place where you will use it most. A desk planner can be larger; a planner used between appointments may need to be lighter. If the use changes during the week, write the main schedule in the portable format and keep longer notes elsewhere.
The short answer
Hobonichi Techo A5 and A6 are not a simple better-versus-worse choice. A6 favors portability and compact entries; A5 favors writing room and a wider view of the day.
Choose the page that matches your real notes, usual pen, carrying habits, and place of use. The right size is the one that removes a recurring obstacle from writing, not the one that looks most capable in an empty state.
Sources
- Hobonichi Techo official type guide — format overview
- Hobonichi Original official guide — A6 format context
- Hobonichi Techo official site — current product information