Traveler’s Factory Kyoto: My Stationery Haul

The Traveler’s Factory store in Kyoto is a must visit if you’re looking to expand your stationery collection. There are so many well loved stationery brands and I’m adding Traveler’s Factory to that list. This stationery store is tucked away in the most charming area in Kyoto. The building is surrounded by nature and greenery, which makes it such an enjoyable and inviting experience.

Traveler’s Factory Store Tour

Traveler’s Factory is a stationery lover’s dream. This store is so cute, complete with everything you would need to inspire your creativity. What’s unique about the Traveler’s Factory notebook is that although it’s a simple notebook, its’ fully customizable to your personality. Just as you have the creative freedom when writing in each page of your journal, you can build your own notebook from scratch. Their notebook is designed with the traveler in mind, with the intention that you’ll bring it with you to collect memories on your upcoming trips.

When you’re in the store, make sure you check out the old suitcase scale. You can purchase tokens at the front, weigh yourself or your luggage and get a collectable tag.

As you make your way around the Traveler’s Factory, you’ll not only find stationery products, but travel accessories as well. You’ll find rain jackets and umbrella’s for the rainy travel days. Books to read for your commute. Souvenirs and postcards for friends and family. They also have vintage cameras and camera straps for your adventures.

On the stationery side, you have take a look at the Traveler’s Factory customizable notebooks. You can also find pens, stickers, notebooks and more. They’re so thoughtful as well with the travel accessories. Expect to find keychains, leather pencil case holders, and travel bags to help you keep all your accessories in one place.

How to Customize Your Own Notebook at Traveler’s Factory

Here’s how you would create your own traveler’s notebook.

First, you will choose between 2 different notebook covers. A regular size (think the size of a folded paper map) or passport size. The cover is made of leather and the colour will deepen over time as you use it.

Second, you’ll pick individual paper notebooks that can be inserted into the leather cover. You can buy as many refills as you would need, so you will never need to buy another leather cover. I love that it’s fully customizable, and you can stack different types of paper inside depending on what your creative needs are. They have many options such as light weight paper, kraft paper, grid paper and more.

Next, you can customize your Traveler’s notebook. You can do this by choosing different types of charms to add to your journal. You can attach charms to the front band or even use it as your bookmark. I love how simple the design of their notebooks are, which allows you to really customize it to your own liking. They also have a service where you can get your notebook engraved.

Lastly, once you’ve purchased your notebooks, you can head over to the stamp counter and add unique stamps to your pages. There’s a whole workstation where you can also get started on putting together your notebook in the store.

Traveler’s Factory Stationery Haul

For my notebook cover, I chose the regular size in the colour ‘Olive’. To match it, I picked up a pen clip in the same colour as well.

When you purchase the leather notebook, it comes with paper inside it already. I chose to stock up on some refillable notebooks, as I knew I won’t be back for a little while. I chose grid paper, light weight paper, a card holder and kraft paper. I also got some extra bands so that I could stack them together.

As I mentioned, you can engrave your new notebook, but unfortunately it does take 1 month to get back to you. Since I didn’t get to do that this time, I was able to get a pen engraved that same day.

For accessories, I chose a little camera charm to add as a bookmark and a unique Kyoto charm for the front strap.

A few postcards to document the trip and send to friends.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

I stayed at a hotel called Kabin Kyoto. I loved this hotel because not only was it located in a centrally, it was tucked away into a quieter area, which gave a very local feel to the stay . It’s such a walkable location to many points of interest such as the Nishiki Market, Gion or Sannenzaka. Traveler’s Factory is about a 20 minute walk from Kabin Kyoto hotel.

I always use Expedia to not only find the best rates for hotels in the city, but I really like how you can scan by location, ratings and pricing options as well.

Things To Do in Kyoto

When you’re exploring the shops around Traveler’s Factory, you’ll also find many cafes, local shops and restaurants in the area. I would highly recommend you check out Cafe Kitsune nearby for an afternoon treat. I was also curious about the Ace Hotel next door, as it looks like it would be a fantastic stay in Kyoto.

From the old historic areas such as Pontocho Alley, Sannenzaka and Gion, Kyoto is a beautiful blend of modern day and traditional architecture. Don’t miss Fushimi Inari Taisha or the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to experience Kyoto’s serene and quiet side. Take a look at my 3 to 5 day Kyoto itinerary to find more things to do in Kyoto.

If you haven’t heard of Traveler’s Factory, be sure to add this one to your stationery store must visit list. You’ll likely find this brand in many stationery stores in Japan, but if you’re looking for all things Traveler’s Factory, visit their locations in Kyoto or Tokyo. This is now one of my new favourite stationery brands to have in my travel bag.

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