10 Best Journal Notebooks in the Philippines 2024 | Alunsina Handbound Books, Hiraya Journal, And More

If you’re looking for quality journals, look no further than Alunsina Handbound Books. They are a homegrown brand that lovingly handcrafts their journals from making the cover to cutting the paper. And this particular journal is ideal if you’d like that classic journal aesthetic. 

Its cover is made from real cowhide leather, which gives it a rustic feel. It is handbound using waxed cotton thread and it can be laid flat and opened to 360 degrees without damaging the spine. Moreover, their papers are made from elemental chlorine-free (ECF) ecological pulp that’s also acid-free, making it last longer.

This also means it can take fountain pen ink and even light watercolor. So, you can feel free to draw, sketch, and write your heart out all you want with this journal. But you also have the option to replace it with watercolor paper. Plus, if you’ve used up all the pages, you can send it back to them and have it refilled. How’s that for sustainability? 

Looking for your next bullet journal notebook? You might like Hiraya Journal. Taken from the Filipino word Hiraya, which means the fruit of dreams and aspirations, they aim to provide quality products that will inspire Filipinos to unleash their creativity. Their Alindanaw journal presents a design that will surely capture your eye. 

It consists of a fabric cover with foil embossment in the shape of a dragonfly, which symbolizes letting go of the past and acceptance of change. It has luxury gilded page edges, which adds a bit of sophistication. The spine can be laid flat to 180 degrees for your writing convenience.

Its pages are made from 160 gsm dotted paper, which is perfect for your colored markers and highlighters. It has a back pocket so you can keep important items and memorabilia such as receipts or ticket stubs. If you’re looking for a journal that’s both aesthetic and functional, then this is it. 

Want a separate notebook for journaling or sketching? Try Viviamo’s Quest Journal. Each cover houses 2 notebooks, which is ideal if you prefer a journal with a space-saving design. You can use it to write notes, your thoughts for the day, or make it into a bullet journal! 

The cover also comes with a PVC pocket, perfect for storing important notes or stickers, and it even comes with a cardholder and zipper! How’s that for keeping your things organized? And once you’ve filled up all the pages, you can simply purchase the refill notebooks! Plus, its unique design is just mesmerizing.

Quiversmiths’ journals are hand-torn, stitched, and contain locally sourced materials that provide a more personal touch. And the Ulayaw journal is ideal for painting or sketching on the go. It is pocket-sized, so you don’t have to worry about lugging an entire sketchbook, perfect for those spur-of-the-moment ideas. 

Despite its small size, you don’t have to worry about your paint bleeding through as it is specially designed to accommodate paint and watercolor. The best part is you can select the thickness of the paper from their various selections, from a 100 gsm Declaration of Independence to the 300 gsm Fabriano Artisitico. 

Are you a person of few words? Do you have trouble completing or filling an entire journal entry? Then the Hobonichi 5-Year Techo might be for you. Its pages consist of dates that span up to 5 years, so you’ll be writing an entry every day for 5 years. This is great if you don’t want to go in-depth with your journal too much. 

Each page can only accommodate a few paragraphs or sometimes even a few sentences, which is ideal if you only want to list down your day’s highlights. It is also a fun way to see how your writings and thoughts progress as the years go by. It’s definitely a worthwhile purchase!

Grid notebooks are often overlooked because of their status as math notebooks, but Daycraft’s will change your mind. Its lines are not that prominent, which could subtly serve as a guide while giving you the creative freedom to utilize it as you wish. You can use it to practice calligraphy or try your hand at bullet journaling.

Its pages are acid-free and weigh 100 gsm, which is ideal for coloring or using markers without it being shown on the other side. Their notebooks are available in a multitude of colors, so you don’t have to stick to a plain one. Despite its soft appearance, it has a sturdy binding, so you can be assured it won’t give up on you.  

This notebook from Midori allows you to keep the focus on writing. It has a unique, minimalist design; in fact, it has no cover, which has been said to interfere with your writing comfort. The result makes for a very comfortable, no-frills notebook that is a pleasure to write in.

In contrast to other notebooks, its spine, often referred to as a super spine, is exposed and flexible, allowing the notebook to be opened completely flat without damaging its structural integrity. Its material is compatible with fountain pens as well. If you are serious about writing, then this one is for you. 

Ever started a journal only to forget about it halfway through? Or gave up on it because it didn't turn out the way you wanted? With this journal, you won't have that problem! It is designed with quotes, prompts, or activities for every single day of the year to help expand your knowledge and flex your brain. 

This way, you won't feel forced to write an entire journal entry because this journal keeps it short and sweet. And you'll never be bored with it either because it is non-dated, so you can choose to start on any page you want. If you're a bit intimidated by starting your own journal, this will make you look forward to having one!

If you have a thing for writing calligraphy, perhaps this Pen and Ink Journal from Elias might be the journal you didn’t know you needed! It is designed particularly for swatching your pens and inks. This is really helpful if you own fountain and calligraphy pens to keep them more organized.

This journal has a dedicated section for ink swabs, writing samples, calligraphy practice sheets, and even coloring sheets—perfect for perfecting your penmanship. You can easily keep track of them through its handy table of contents. Think of it as creative cataloging your pen and ink collection!

Field Notes has cemented itself as the go-to pocket notebook for its quality and durability. This is ideal if you need a handy notebook to list down important things you need to accomplish for the day. It is also useful if you have a habit of writing down any passing ideas or reflections.

Printed in a minimalist black design, it can easily complement what environment you are in, whether you are in a casual or professional setting. It is also rather unique as its sheet style is a combination of dot and graph. If you open it to its very last page, you’ll see a list of ideas on other uses for it as well as tips for insomnia.