It’s already end of 2025, and with the year quietly folding into itself, I know it’s time to finally make a decision. Not just any decision, but the Hobonichi decision. The one that will hold my days, my thoughts, and the fragments of 2026.

Over the past few months, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on how I actually journal in my Hobonichi Weeks Mega in 2025. And that reflection led me to an uncomfortable but honest realization: my Hobonichi Weeks Mega has started to overwhelm me.

My Hobonichi Weeks Mega gave me more pages than I actually needed. There were too many extra things to fill in. On paper, that sounds like a dream. In practice, it often led me to force myself to fill pages simply because they were there. Too many pages whispering, You should write here too. Eventually, that pressure sometimes made me skip entire sections, and sometimes, entire weeks. Instead of feeling supported, I felt behind. And it was not enjoyable. On certain days, that pressure made journaling feel less like a refuge and more like an obligation.

I realized that the Hobonichi Weeks Mega has more space than I need, and I should find one that better fits my needs.

Narrowing It Down: Techo or HON

With that in mind, I made a list of reflections on what I truly want to track and express in my journal, and I started considering the features of each Hobonichi. Eventually, I narrowed it down to two options for 2026: the Hobonichi Techo A6 or the Hobonichi HON A6.

And from my recent reflections, I realized that the Techo, or the HON, is more than enough for me.

I don’t need endless sections. What I need is:

• a place to record gratitude and joyful discoveries
• space for daily journaling, already gently provided by the Hobonichi structure
• and a simple mood tracker using the yearly calendar

I even noticed something telling when I looked back at my My100 list in the Weeks Mega. I loved the idea of collecting joyful things but in practice, I only wrote a few items there. What I did keep up with, consistently, was the small recap I wrote next to the weekly calendar. Every week, quietly noting what delighted me.

The Decision (and the Cover That Sealed It)

And so, the decision was made.

The Hobonichi HON A6 by Hiroko Kubota is officially purchased.

My Personal Considerations

1. The A6 Size

A6 fits seamlessly into my notebook ecosystem, the ones I carry (almost) everywhere. My commonplace books. My pocket notebooks for learning Finnish. All of them.

Even better, the A6 size fits into my smallest handbag. So, no matter which bag I choose to go, there’s never a reason not to bring my journal with me.

2. Why HON, Not Techo

The only real difference between the HON and the Techo is the cover, but that difference means a lot to me.

From a practical standpoint, the HON makes sense economically. I don’t need to buy a separate cute cover. I only need the clear cover, and the pencil board already comes included. Fewer extras. Fewer decisions.

From a personal preference standpoint, though, it was the Hiroko Kubota cover that truly won me over. I fell in love with it instantly. It feels aligned with my interests, my pockets, and this quiet season of my journaling life. Almost like destiny, if I allow myself to be a little sentimental.

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In the end, choosing a Hobonichi for 2026 is really about how I want to show up on the page. I’m choosing less overwhelm and more presence, fewer expectations, and more honest writing. The HON A6 feels like a good-enough space where my days can land, be tracked, and be expressed, without turning journaling into a rigid routine.. And as 2026 waits quietly ahead, this choice feels like a promise to myself: to write simply, consistently, and with care.

If you want to know how I set up the Hobonichi HON A6 for my daily journaling, you can read my blog post, here.