ASA verdict
Midori MD A5 earns its reputation by putting the writing surface first. The notebook looks almost plain, but the paper is the point, it's smooth enough for fountain pens, toothy enough to feel controlled and resistant to feathering and bleed-through. It is not glassy like coated paper, which is part of its appeal. Pens feel connected to the page rather than floating over it. The thread-stitched binding opens flat, making the A5 format genuinely comfortable for long writing sessions. Its weakness is protection. The exposed card cover and paraffin wrapper suit the minimalist design, but they will show wear unless placed in a cover.
Why it earned this score
Paper Quality
10.0 /10
MD paper has a distinctive balance of smoothness and feedback, giving pens control without feeling rough.
Fountain Pen Friendliness
10.0 /10
Strong resistance to feathering and bleed through makes it a reliable fountain pen notebook, although ghosting can appear.
Layout / Design
9.0 /10
The design is intentionally minimal, with blank, grid, and lined options that keep attention on writing rather than decoration.
Durability
10.0 /10
The stitched binding is excellent and opens flat, but the exposed card cover benefits from a protective cover.
Value for Money
10.0 /10
It is not cheap, but the paper quality, binding, and writing experience justify the price for regular notebook users.
Buying guidance
Good to know
- Binding: thread stitched, opens flat to 180 degrees.
- Paper: MD Paper, developed originally for diary use.
- Made in Japan.
- Page styles include blank, grid, and lined.
- Standard MD paper is commonly listed by retailers as 80 gsm.
Before you buy
- Buy a cover if you want it to stay clean.
- Choose grid for everyday notes, blank for sketching, lined for journaling.
- Expect some ghosting with dark fountain pen inks.
- Use blotting paper if dry time matters.
- Pick MD Cotton if you prefer whiter, softer paper.
- Pick MD Paper Thick for heavier ink or art use
Editorial insight
Across long-term owner reports, the strongest pattern is that Midori MD wins through restraint. The paper is not the smoothest, thickest, or flashiest. Its strength is balance: fountain pen friendly performance, tactile feedback, low visual noise, and a binding that stays out of the writer’s way.
Bottom line
ASA recommends Midori MD A5 for serious writing, but buyers should expect ghosting and protect the cover if appearance matters.