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TL;DR:
Most notebooks promise great writing experiences but deliver mediocre paper that bleeds through and bindings that fight you at every turn. The Midori MD Notebook takes a different approach. This Japanese writing journal has built a cult following among writers, fountain pen enthusiasts, and anyone serious about their analog tools. But does it live up to the hype in 2025? This comprehensive review dives deep into what makes the MD Paper so special and whether this minimalist notebook deserves a spot on your desk.
A simple notebook that is optimized to make writing easy. The ""note"" in ""notebook"" also means ""to notice"". Writing, diagrams and pictures are all ways that people immortalize the things they notice during their day-to-day life. And since a notebook is a common place for those observations, Midori wanted to make sure that their notebook would be kept close at hand.
The MD Notebook is designed for simplicity so that what's on your mind can be put on paper easily. With the 15th-anniversary redesign, writing is even more of a pleasure than before. MD Paper is now used not only for the pages but for the cover and flyleaf too for the ultimate comfort during writing.
This cream-colored paper has a subtle texture that feels perfect under your pen. It's smooth enough for effortless writing but has just enough tooth to give you control. The real magic happens when you use fountain pens. The MD Paper handles even the wettest inks without bleeding through or feathering, making colors pop and showing off ink sheen beautifully.
The cover of the MD Notebook is different from standard notebooks. Where standard notebooks have endpaper under the cover, the MD Notebook's endpaper is the cover. This is because the additional paper or cover on a standard notebook makes the notebook more difficult to open, or causes wobbling, which interferes with your writing comfort.
Page 1 of the new MD Notebook is the cover, which is made from MD Paper like the pages. Every sensation is comfortable, from the movement of the pen on the paper to the way the notebook fits in your hands when you pick it up and rests under your hand when you write. You can write what you like on the cover and make every inch of your MD Notebook your own.
Threaded binding is used for MD Notebook, with 16-page quires bound at the back with thread. This traditional Japanese binding method allows the notebook to open completely flat at 180 degrees, providing the ultimate comfort when writing and making writing a stress-free experience from start to finish. The iconic design lets you see the cheesecloth mesh on the spine that is hidden under the cover in other notebooks. The exposed cheesecloth spine bends easily, keeping the notebook open perfectly.
The Midori MD Notebook keeps things simple but gets the details right. Here's what you get:
The MD Notebook comes in three designs: blank, lines and grid.
The blank type offers the ultimate freedom when putting your ideas on paper. You can even use the two-page spread as a single canvas when drawing.
The type with lines has a thick line at the center so that you can divide each page in half or divide a two-page spread into quarters. Use it for notes or a diary, or add dates and use it as a schedule.
The grid type has 5mm squares with gaps in between, like the old genko yoshi used for writing in Japan. Every 5 and 10 squares are marked, making it easy to count how many characters are written, and the lines of the grid are pale blue so that they will not interfere with your writing or sketches.
Another iconic feature of the MD Notebook is the string attached to the spine. Each type of notebook has its own color of string, adding a tasteful accent that can be glimpsed through the white spine and between the pages.
The MD Notebook is wrapped in glassine paper in place of a traditional cover. It is designed to match the sizes of books, with the glassine paper wrapped like the dust jacket of old books. You can use it to protect your MD Notebook or take it off and use your MD Notebook bare. You can even put it on one of your books for protection on the shelf.
The notebook is designed to match the sizes of books in Japan, making it just the right size to place next to your favorite books on your shelf. It also comes with index tabs that coordinate perfectly with the coverless design and exposed cheesecloth spine. Some are printed with frequently used items such as ""IDEA"" or ""DIARY"", while others are left blank so that you can add your own headings. They can also be stuck to the top to hold the string in place.
This notebook isn't for everyone, but it's perfect for specific types of users who truly value quality and craftsmanship:
If any of these describe you, the Midori MD Notebook could transform your daily writing routine into something you actually look forward to.
After testing the Midori MD Notebook extensively, it's clear why this Japanese writing journal has such a devoted following. The MD Paper truly delivers on its reputation, creating a writing experience that makes every pen feel better and every word flow smoother. The lay-flat binding is a game changer that eliminates one of the most annoying parts of using bound notebooks.
The innovative cover design using MD Paper itself, rather than traditional cardstock, shows Midori's commitment to optimizing every aspect of the writing experience. The exposed cheesecloth spine isn't just aesthetically pleasing but functionally superior, allowing the notebook to open and stay open effortlessly.
Yes, the MD Paper cover requires some care, and the premium price might give budget-conscious buyers pause. But for anyone serious about their writing tools, these minor drawbacks fade away the moment you start writing on that incredible paper and experience the thoughtful design details that make every writing session a pleasure.
The Midori MD Notebook proves that sometimes the best innovation is perfecting the basics while adding thoughtful improvements that truly enhance the user experience. If you're tired of fighting with inferior paper and bindings, and you want a notebook that truly supports your creative process, this is your answer. Stop settling for mediocre writing experiences and discover why thousands of writers swear by Midori. Your future self will thank you for making the upgrade.
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