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Japanese colored pencils are beloved for their vivid pigments, smooth blending, and thoughtful design. From professional-grade Holbein pencils to playful Kokuyo sets and minimalist Muji designs, Japanese brands offer options for artists, hobbyists, students, and casual sketchers alike.
Known for their precision, consistency, and durability, these pencils make shading, layering, and color blending a pleasure.
Whether you’re producing gallery-quality artwork, journaling, or simply experimenting with color, Japanese colored pencils offer exceptional quality and inspiration. Here are our top picks to help you bring your creativity to life.
How we decided
- DurabilityBreak-resistant leads and sturdy barrels
- Color QualityVibrancy, richness, and layering potential
- Design & UsabilityComfort, portability, and extra features (eraser, sharpener, dual colors).
- Core SoftnessSoft for blending, hard for fine lines
1. Holbein Artists’ Colored Pencil
Holbein is one of Japan’s most prestigious art supply brands, known for professional-grade colored pencils with creamy, oil-pastel-like application. Packed with richly pigmented cores, they deliver bright, consistent colors that blend seamlessly for smooth gradients, fine shading, and delicate highlights.
Soft leads glide across paper without scratching, making layered illustrations particularly satisfying. Their extensive color range includes shades often missing from standard sets.
Though premium-priced, Holbein pencils are prized by artists creating gallery-quality work, making them a reliable choice for serious illustrators who want vibrant, long-lasting, and professional results.
2. Tombow Color Pencils
Tombow Colored Pencils are a beloved staple of Japanese stationery, known for striking a balance between quality and affordability, making them an excellent choice for students, hobbyists, and anyone starting their artistic journey.
The NQ Series, marked by iconic yellow tin cases, has been trusted since the 1970s. Available in 12, 24, and 36-color sets, these pencils offer smooth consistency, bright colors, and cores that blend well for shading and layering.
Tombow is also widely available and easy to replace, which is another advantage for learners. For those who want dependable Japanese colored pencils without committing to premium costs, Tombow remains a top choice.
Pros
- Vibrant, smooth colors for general drawing
- Soft cores make blending easy
- Affordable and beginner-friendly
Cons
- Less pigmented than professional-grade pencils
- Softer lead can break if sharpened too much
3. Kokuyo Mix Color Pencils
Kokuyo is a household name in Japanese stationery, known for practical, easy-to-use supplies. Their Mix Color Pencils are designed for beginners and casual sketchers who want a fun way to experiment with colors.
Each pencil features two different color cores, which blend together to create unique textures and depth in a single stroke. The bright colors, comfortable grip, and playful design encourage long drawing sessions without pressure.
This 20-color set comes in a gift box with cute Takoshiro illustrations and includes a pencil sharpener, making it a perfect creative starter set or thoughtful gift.
4. Sakura Coupy-Pencil
Sakura Color, founded in 1921 and famed for inventing the “Cray-pas” oil pastel in 1925, has long been committed to “Contribution to Education and Culture.” Trusted for decades in Japan, Sakura continues to inspire creativity with innovative, high-quality art materials.
The Sakura Coupy Pencils are a perfect example, combining the vibrant colors of crayons with the precision of colored pencils. This 18-color set features soft, smooth cores that are erasable, sharpenable, and mess-free, making them ideal for kids, beginners, and casual artists.
Each set includes a stylish metal tin, sharpener, and eraser for convenient use.
Pros
- Vibrant, smooth colors
- Soft, mess-free, and erasable
- Includes sharpener and eraser
Cons
- Limited professional shading
- Tin case may be bulky for small bags
5. uni Mitsubishi Colored Pencils
uni Mitsubishi offers high-quality colored pencils ideal for both art and everyday use. This 12-piece set includes vermilion (red-orange) 2351 and Prussian blue (indigo) 2353 leads, ideal for correcting exam papers, highlighting text, or marking notes without bleeding through paper. Unlike fluorescent highlighters, these pencils are gentle on the eyes while providing vibrant, precise color.
Fun fact: Uni Mitsubishi Pencil Company and Mitsubishi Motors share a name and the iconic three-diamond logo, but they’re totally separate companies with no affiliation or connection. 
Pros
- Ideal for corrections, highlighting
- Does not bleed through paper
- Gentle on the eyes
Cons
- Not suitable for artistic shading
- Harder cores may be less smooth for drawing
6. Kitaboshi Mechanical Colored Pencil
Kitaboshi has built its reputation on sustainable practices and respect for natural materials.
The OTP-series mechanical colored pencils combine the classic feel of a wooden pencil with premium Japanese 2mm colored leads. Each set includes 13 vibrant, break-resistant shades perfect for sketching, shading, and layering over paint.
The hexagonal American cedar barrel offers a comfortable, balanced grip, while the unique internal clutch prevents the soft lead from breaking, even if dropped. The knock-style mechanism allows easy lead advance and retraction, ensuring consistent length for precise control.
Lightweight and ergonomically designed, these pencils reduce hand fatigue during long sessions. Ideal for anyone seeking durability, smooth performance, and elegant wooden craftsmanship.
7. Tombow Ippo Double-Sided Color Pencils
Did you know that in most Japanese primary and secondary schools, vermilion and Prussian blue pencils are commonly used for checking answers and other school activities?
These double sided color pencils are a practical and versatile choice for school, office, and creative projects. Each pencil in this set features vermilion on one end and Prussian blue on the other, making them perfect for grading, note-taking, and highlighting.
The hexagonal barrel provides a comfortable grip and reduces hand fatigue. With 12 dual-ended pencils (24 usable colors), these durable, compact pencils are ideal for students, teachers, and everyday use.
Pros
- Dual-ended pencils give two colors in one
- Hexagonal barrel reduces hand fatigue
- Durable leads suitable for everyday writing
Cons
- Limited to vermilion and blue only
- Not intended for professional art
8. Muji Colored Pencils
Muji Colored Pencils embody the brand’s minimalist design philosophy, offering simple, functional, and portable tools for everyday sketching and journaling.
The plain barrels and clean packaging emphasize convenience over extravagance, making them easy to carry in a bag or store in a drawer.
With consistent and reliable colors, these pencils are perfect for casual sketchers who appreciate simplicity and practicality. While the pigmentation isn’t as intense as premium brands like Holbein or Tombow, Muji pencils provide smooth, dependable color for everyday creativity.
Pros
- Affordable
- Minimalist, clean design
- Reliable and consistent colors
Cons
- Pigmentation is less vibrant vs premium brands
- Not ideal for professionals
Why Japanese Colored Pencils Are Worth It
Japanese colored pencils are little bursts of inspiration in your hands. Known for their craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and clever designs, they make drawing, journaling, and doodling way more fun.
For pros chasing gallery-worthy results, Holbein delivers creamy, richly pigmented colors that blend like a dream. Beginners and casual artists will love Tombow and Kokuyo, with their playful, user-friendly sets that make every stroke feel effortless. Kitaboshi stands out for eco-conscious vibes, using sustainably sourced wood without skimping on performance.
Prices vary to suit every artist: Holbein is premium, Tombow, Kokuyo, and Muji are wallet-friendly, while Mitsubishi and Kitaboshi land comfortably in the middle.
Whether you’re a serious sketcher, hobbyist, or just love coloring for fun, Japanese colored pencils are a smart, and (seriously satisfying) investment for your creativity!
