Kawaii your world: Itoya comes to NBS

As a working professional, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right office supplies that stand out amidst so many choices of gray and black available in the market.

Iconic Japanese Stationary brand Itoya shows that finding a notebook, binder or pen with the right color combination, quality design and exquisite craftsmanship doesn’t have to be all that difficult, and you shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than the premium.

The 111-year-old brand is dedicated to providing premium office supplies that cater to the lifestyles and personalities of working professionals, which is one reason it fits perfectly with National Book Store’s aim to make sure that every member of the family is able to find what they need in their store.

Itoya’s arrival was officially launched over sushi and tea last Oct. 14 at Powerbooks Greenbelt 4.

National Book Store managing director Xandra Ramos-Padilla says the partnership with the iconic brand was born out of their love for stationary products. “Growing up, my brother would always love to go to their Ginza store. It was a treasure trove of stationary products. We felt that it was the right time to bring in such a concept to the Philippines.”

Fresh from the opening of Itoya’s new 12-story store building in Ginza last June, the brand is now bringing some of their in-house brands to special corners in select National Book Store and Powerbooks branches in Manila.

The store corners will feature products from four of Itoya’s in-house collections. They range from the Taish-era fountain pen-based Romeo, which boasts leather products perfect for the modern businessman, to the travel-oriented Contrail, which features light, quirky journals for people on the go.

As an Itoya signature, the Colour Chart collection features a range of notebooks, binders, ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils. Its vivid colors (including Sunset Orange and Pear Green) are perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement while taking down important notes.

Itoya senior vice president Isamu Suzuki mentions that the products also function in a way that most people will find useful. “We like to give you some nice color combinations. It is very easy to find it in your briefcase. Because the inside of the briefcase is black. So if you have an orange-colored name holder, it’s easy to find,” he says.

With the wide variety of products to choose from, searching for the right office supplies to suit your needs might seem daunting. One thing’s for sure, though: Itoya’s simple designs are going to make the hunt much more enjoyable.

* * *

Itoya items are available at National Book Store SM Aura Premier and Powerbooks Greenbelt 4 and will be available in November at National Book Store Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Share your Itoya finds using the hashtag #ItoyaatNBS.