On October 9, Nakabayashi Co., Ltd. announced the "Compact Note," a CD-case-sized notebook. It is small enough to open on a desk or prop up, and it has been going on sale in stores nationwide in stages since early October. Its look is modeled on a CD case, but it is a notebook for writing on paper.
A binding that opens 180 degrees, so you can write right up to the spine
The binding uses the patented "Flat-Opening Notebook" of Nakamura Printing Co., Ltd. The pages lie flat at 180 degrees when opened, making it easy to write near the binding as well. The pages are woodfree paper with a 5mm grid that makes it easy to lay out diagrams and text.
Because the pages do not bulge at the center, the structure is less likely to cast a shadow near the binding when you copy or scan a spread. Besides carrying your handwriting around on paper, it is also meant to be used by scanning it in later and organizing it.
Written pages can be removed as a spread. This lets you hand a needed memo to someone or file it together with documents. It is a notebook that combines being removable with opening flat.
A small 142mm-wide cover in six designs, including City Pop
The body measures 142mm wide by 125mm tall by 7mm thick and weighs 85g. The dimensions assume opening it on a desk in front of a computer. It also suggests propping it up in a corner when you put it away.
The cover comes in six designs in all: "City Pop 1 to 4," "Photo" and "Disc." Different graphics are combined with the shape of a CD case, which recalls digital items of the early Heisei era. Each notebook has 60 sheets, and the manufacturer's suggested retail price is ¥880 (tax included).
Compact Note price, size and release timing
- Product name: Compact Note / Grid
- Item numbers: NSQ01-1 to NSQ01-6
- Designs: six in all: City Pop 1, 2, 3 and 4, Photo and Disc
- Body size: 142mm wide x 125mm tall x 7mm thick, 85g
- Paper: 60 sheets of woodfree paper, 5mm grid
- Manufacturer's suggested retail price: ¥880 (tax included)
- Release timing and area: in stages nationwide from early October 2026
Image: courtesy of Nakabayashi Co., Ltd.
