The Art, Craft & Purpose of Travellers Journals with Frank from Yokogaki episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 12, 2025 · 40 MIN

The Art, Craft & Purpose of Travellers Journals with Frank from Yokogaki

from Stationery Freaks · host Rob Lambert & Helen Lisowski

Join Rob and Helen in this edition of Stationery Freaks as they welcome special guest Frank, from Yokogaki, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of travel journals / notebooks!Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals are, how they differ from the typical notebook, and various ways to use them for everything from bullet journaling to light scrapbooking on the go. Frank, who found himself crafting his own high-quality, leather journals, shares his unique philosophy behind creating companions that "love you back," exploring the Japanese concept of Mottainai (regret over waste) and a deep respect for resources. Learn why these versatile, customisable, and durable notebooks are truly more than just a notebook or journal, and why you might be missing out on a whole subculture of charms and inserts! Helen's already online buying charms. Frank also shares a whopping 20% off his Traveler's Journals for our listeners:Simply use code stationeryfreak20 at checkout: https://yokogaki.be/Key Takeaways:What Makes a Traveler's Journal Unique: Discover how these sturdy, customisable covers with rubber bands/ribbons allow you to mix and match any refills (dotted, sketching, calendar, etc.) and inserts (pouches, envelopes) to suit your needs, consolidating multiple notebooks into one portable system.The "Why" Behind the Craft: Learn about Frank's philosophy rooted in "Mottainai" – a deep respect for resources and a passion for creating high-quality, timeless designs that are built to last a lifetime, challenging the idea of disposable stationery. And pen loops designed for pens like Tom's Studio Lumos.Beyond the Page: Explore creative uses for traveler's journals, from combining them with Hobonichi inserts and Instax photos for daily mindfulness, to sketching scenes and collecting travel mementos.Choosing Wisely: Gain insights into what makes a good traveler's journal, with a look at materials like leather and even cork, and the importance of durability.A Growing Ecosystem: Hear about the vast community surrounding traveler's journals, from specific brands like Midori to subcultures dedicated to charms.We also kind of spring our usual Desert Island stationery on Frank (we forgot to mention we'd do it!) but Frank comes back with some solid items of stationery to accompany him on a desert island.Enjoy!Rob & HelenYou can find Frank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokogaki_shopUse code stationeryfreak20 at checkout for 20% of Traveler's notebooks / journals : https://yokogaki.be/---Discover the Stationery Freaks newsletter at : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

Join Rob and Helen in this edition of Stationery Freaks as they welcome special guest Frank, from Yokogaki, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of travel journals / notebooks!Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals are, how they differ from the typical notebook, and various ways to use them for everything from bullet journaling to light scrapbooking on the go. Frank, who found himself crafting his own high-quality, leather journals, shares his unique philosophy behind creating companions that "love you back," exploring the Japanese concept of Mottainai (regret over waste) and a deep respect for resources. Learn why these versatile, customisable, and durable notebooks are truly more than just a notebook or journal, and why you might be missing out on a whole subculture of charms and inserts! Helen's already online buying charms. Frank also shares a whopping 20% off his Traveler's Journals for our listeners:Simply use code stationeryfreak20 at checkout: https://yokogaki.be/Key Takeaways:What Makes a Traveler's Journal Unique: Discover how these sturdy, customisable covers with rubber bands/ribbons allow you to mix and match any refills (dotted, sketching, calendar, etc.) and inserts (pouches, envelopes) to suit your needs, consolidating multiple notebooks into one portable system.The "Why" Behind the Craft: Learn about Frank's philosophy rooted in "Mottainai" – a deep respect for resources and a passion for creating high-quality, timeless designs that are built to last a lifetime, challenging the idea of disposable stationery. And pen loops designed for pens like Tom's Studio Lumos.Beyond the Page: Explore creative uses for traveler's journals, from combining them with Hobonichi inserts and Instax photos for daily mindfulness, to sketching scenes and collecting travel mementos.Choosing Wisely: Gain insights into what makes a good traveler's journal, with a look at materials like leather and even cork, and the importance of durability.A Growing Ecosystem: Hear about the vast community surrounding traveler's journals, from specific brands like Midori to subcultures dedicated to charms.We also kind of spring our usual Desert Island stationery on Frank (we forgot to mention we'd do it!) but Frank comes back with some solid items of stationery to accompany him on a desert island.Enjoy!Rob & HelenYou can find Frank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokogaki_shopUse code stationeryfreak20 at checkout for 20% of Traveler's notebooks / journals : https://yokogaki.be/---Discover the Stationery Freaks newsletter at : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

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The Art, Craft & Purpose of Travellers Journals with Frank from Yokogaki

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This episode was published on July 12, 2025.

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Join Rob and Helen in this edition of Stationery Freaks as they welcome special guest Frank, from Yokogaki, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of travel journals / notebooks!Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals...

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