A writing tray, for a hotel stay immersed in the art of words

November 3, 2025

Kakimori’s products can be found and sampled at our Kuramae shop and across many stockists globally. Now, there’s a new place where you can experience our writing tools as part of an overnight stay — Hakusen, a boutique hotel in Iga, Mie Prefecture.

Iga is best known as the birthplace of the renowned poet Matsuo Basho, and the Iga ninja school during Japan’s feudal era. Hakusen occupies the newly redeveloped former Ueno City Hall, once the heart of the city and now designated a cultural property. The striking building was originally designed by modernist architect Junzo Sakakura, who trained under Le Corbusier.

As part of this culturally significant redevelopment, we were invited to design a writing tray for the hotel's guest rooms.

The name Hakusen — meaning ‘moored ship’ — was inspired by the hotel’s location above the planned ground-floor public library, as though it were a vessel floating on a sea of words. We felt honoured to be a part of this evocative concept that offers guests a space to slow down and immerse themselves in words.

The writing tray was custom-designed in honour of this iconic landmark. We had long been planning to create a stationery tray, and this opportunity allowed us to bring some of our earlier ideas to life.

Working with product designer Makoto Koizumi, we re-examined every element from materials and form to function. The main tray is crafted from chestnut wood, while the inner pen tray features Japanese cherry wood — creating a natural tonal contrast that adds interest to the simplicity. The piece is also available to purchase at Kakimori as the A5 writing tray.

Image by Hiroaki Tanooka

The accompanying writing paper and envelopes were also designed especially for the hotel. Together with our Frost rollerball pen, the tray forms a carefully considered stationery set that complements each guest room. Guests are welcome to take the paper and envelopes home with them, and all items are available to purchase at the hotel’s gift shop.

The writing tray offers a quiet celebration of Hakusen’s concept: a tranquil stay, with a book in hand, adrift on a sea of words. Once the mayor’s office, the hotel’s suite room overlooks the historic castle townscape of Iga. As makers, it brings us great joy to imagine guests writing with our tools in this unique sanctuary.

Hakusen promises to be a new haven of knowledge and rest amid Iga’s rich cultural heritage. We hope our writing tray also becomes a memorable part of each guest’s stay.