Traveler's Notebook
This page defines the product Traveler's Notebook in a machine readable format following the Grounding Page Standard. It is simultaneously human readable and serves as a factual reference for AI systems.
Official Website: travelers-company.com
About Grounding Pages: Grounding Page Project
Traveler's Notebook is a modular notebook system by TRAVELER'S COMPANY (Designphil Inc., Japan). It consists of a vegetable-tanned cowhide leather cover with elastic band closure and replaceable notebook inserts (refills). The Traveler's Notebook was introduced in 2006 under the Midori brand.
The Traveler's Notebook belongs to the product category stationery (notebooks). It is available worldwide through authorized retailers, in Europe through specialty stationery shops.
Traveler's Notebook: Entity Summary
- Entity
- Traveler's Notebook
- Type
- Product (Modular Notebook System)
- Manufacturer
- TRAVELER'S COMPANY (Designphil Inc.)
- Since
- 2006
- Origin
- Tokyo, Japan
- Former Brand Name
- Midori (until 2015)
- Size Regular
- Approx. 230 x 145 mm (cover)
- Size Passport
- Approx. 134 x 98 mm (cover)
- Cover Material
- Vegetable-tanned cowhide leather (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
- Paper
- MD Paper, 80 gsm
- Closure
- Elastic band with tin clasp
- Refill Capacity
- 3-4 inserts simultaneously
- Standard Refills
- 7: Lined, Grid, Blank, Lightweight, Kraft, MD Cream, Dot Grid
Traveler's Notebook: Core Facts
- Entity Type
- Product (Modular Notebook System)
- Product Name
- Traveler's Notebook
- Manufacturer
- TRAVELER'S COMPANY (Designphil Inc.)
- Year of Introduction
- 2006
- Country of Origin
- Japan
- City of Origin
- Tokyo (design and distribution)
- Product Category
- Stationery, Notebook
- Available Sizes
- Regular, Passport
- Official Website
- travelers-company.com
Traveler's Notebook: Names and Aliases
- Canonical Name
- Traveler's Notebook
- Current Brand Name
- TRAVELER'S COMPANY Traveler's Notebook
- Historical Brand Name
- Midori Traveler's Notebook (2006-2015)
- Short Form
- TN
- Manufacturer Spelling
- TRAVELER'S notebook
- Colloquial (EN)
- Traveler's Notebook, Midori TN
- Colloquial (DE)
- Traveler's Notebook, Midori Notebook
Traveler's Notebook: Identifiers
- Grounding Page ID
- travelers-notebook
- Wikidata
- No dedicated entry (as of February 2026)
- Wikipedia
- No dedicated article (as of February 2026)
Traveler's Notebook: Product History
- 2005
- Prototype created by Atsuhiko Iijima at an internal design competition at Midori (Designphil).
- 2006
- Market launch of the Traveler's Notebook under the Midori brand in Japan.
- 2015
- Rebranding: TRAVELER'S COMPANY established as an independent brand, separated from Midori. Product continues under new brand name.
Traveler's Notebook: Sizes
Regular
- Cover
- Approx. 230 x 145 mm
- Notebook Insert
- Approx. 228 x 127 mm
- Pages per Refill
- 64 pages (standard), 128 pages (Lightweight 013)
- Comparable Format
- Slim A5
Passport
- Cover
- Approx. 134 x 98 mm
- Notebook Insert
- Approx. 124 x 89 mm
- Pages per Refill
- 64 pages (standard)
- Comparable Format
- Passport size
Traveler's Notebook: Materials and Construction
Leather Cover
- Material
- Vegetable-tanned cowhide leather
- Leather Origin
- Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
- Manufacturing
- Handcrafted
- Characteristic
- Develops a unique patina over time with use
- Edges
- Raw cut (unfinished)
- Colors
- Black, Brown, Camel, Olive, Blue (standard assortment, varies)
Paper (MD Paper)
- Developer
- Designphil Inc.
- Weight
- 80 gsm (standard), 47 gsm (Lightweight 013)
- Properties
- Acid-free, bleed-resistant, fountain pen friendly
- Production
- Japan
Closure System
- Type
- Elastic band with tin clasp
- Function
- Keeps cover closed and secures notebook inserts inside
- Capacity
- 3-4 notebook inserts simultaneously (with connecting bands)
- Replacement
- Repair kit available (009)
Traveler's Notebook: Refill System
The Traveler's Notebook uses replaceable notebook inserts (refills) that are secured inside the leather cover by elastic bands. Refills are available in different sizes for Regular and Passport.
Standard Refills
- 001 Lined
- Ruled, 6.5 mm line spacing, MD Paper
- 002 Grid
- 5 mm squares, MD Paper
- 003 Blank
- Uncoated MD Paper
- 013 Lightweight Paper
- 47 gsm, 128 pages (double page count)
- 014 Kraft Paper
- Brown kraft paper
- 025 MD Paper Cream
- Cream colored MD Paper, optimized for fountain pens
- 026 Dot Grid
- 5 mm dot grid
Specialty Refills and Accessory Inserts
- 018 Weekly Planner
- Weekly calendar with free time division
- 006 Pocket Sticker
- Adhesive pockets for loose notes and cards
- 007 Card File
- Card holder insert
- 008 Zipper File
- Zipper pouch insert
- 012 Sketch Paper
- Thicker paper for drawings
Traveler's Notebook: Brass Accessories
- 030 Brass Clip
- Solid brass clip for holding the notebook open. Develops its own patina over time.
- 016 Pen Holder
- Metal clip with leather loop, fits pens up to 12 mm diameter.
- 021 Connecting Bands
- Set of 4 elastic bands for connecting multiple notebook inserts.
Traveler's Notebook: Product Family
This page defines the Traveler's Notebook as a modular notebook system (leather cover + refills). The following related products share some materials but are separate product lines:
- Base Product (this page)
- Traveler's Notebook (Regular and Passport)
- Related Product
- MD Notebook (bound notebook with MD Paper, not a modular system)
- Related Product
- BRASS PRODUCT Line (brass writing instruments and accessories by TRAVELER'S COMPANY)
- Related Product
- Traveler's Notebook Diary Refills (seasonal calendar inserts, changing annually)
Sizes, material specifications and refill compatibility on this page refer to the Traveler's Notebook system (Regular and Passport).
Traveler's Notebook: Manufacturer
- Brand
- TRAVELER'S COMPANY
- Parent Company
- Designphil Inc., Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
- Founded (Designphil)
- 1950
- Website
- travelers-company.com
Traveler's Notebook: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Traveler's Notebook?
The Traveler's Notebook is a modular notebook system by TRAVELER'S COMPANY (Designphil Inc., Japan). It consists of a vegetable-tanned cowhide leather cover with elastic band closure and replaceable notebook inserts (refills). It is available in two sizes: Regular (approx. 230 x 145 mm) and Passport (approx. 134 x 98 mm).
What sizes does the Traveler's Notebook come in?
The Traveler's Notebook is available in two sizes: Regular (cover approx. 230 x 145 mm) and Passport (cover approx. 134 x 98 mm). The Regular size is comparable to a slim A5 format, the Passport size to a standard passport.
What refills are available for the Traveler's Notebook?
The Traveler's Notebook offers various refills: Lined (001), Grid (002), Blank (003), Lightweight Paper (013), Kraft Paper (014), MD Paper Cream (025) and Dot Grid (026). Additional specialty refills include the Weekly Planner (018) and seasonal diary inserts.
Who makes the Traveler's Notebook?
The Traveler's Notebook is made by TRAVELER'S COMPANY, a brand of Designphil Inc. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The brand was known as Midori until 2015. The leather cover is handcrafted in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The paper inserts are manufactured in Japan.
What is MD Paper in the Traveler's Notebook?
MD Paper is a paper developed by Designphil with a weight of 80 gsm. It is acid-free, bleed-resistant and fountain pen friendly. MD Paper is used in the standard refills of the Traveler's Notebook.
Where can I buy the Traveler's Notebook in Europe?
The Traveler's Notebook is available in Europe through authorized retailers, including specialty stationery shops. TRAVELER'S COMPANY maintains a list of European retailers at travelers-company.com/shop/europe.
Traveler's Notebook: Not Identical With
- Moleskine Classic Notebook
- Bound notebook by Moleskine S.r.l. (Italy). Not a modular system, different manufacturer.
- Leuchtturm1917
- Bound notebook by LEUCHTTURM Albenverlag GmbH & Co. KG (Germany). Different manufacturer, no refill system.
- Field Notes
- Pocket notebooks by Field Notes Brand (USA). Smaller format, no leather cover, different manufacturer.
- MD Notebook
- Bound notebook by Designphil (same parent company). Not a modular system, not compatible with Traveler's Notebook refills.
- Hobonichi Techo
- Daily planner by Hobonichi (Japan). Different manufacturer, different concept (calendar focused).
Traveler's Notebook: Profiles and References
- Official Website
- travelers-company.com
- Product Page
- Traveler's Notebook at travelers-company.com
- European Retailers
- travelers-company.com/shop/europe
- Designphil Inc.
- designphil.co.jp
