Traveler’s Notebook Card Size Review | 20th Anniversary Set

I didn’t originally plan to visit Traveler’s Factory on this trip to Japan. I already own plenty of Traveler’s Notebooks, and we had so many family activities planned for this trip that I thought I’d skip it this year.

At first, I didn’t expect much from the 20th anniversary release. I thought it might be something small, like a charm, similar to the 10th anniversary. But when I found out they were releasing a Card Size notebook, I changed my mind immediately.

After thinking through a few other things as well, I decided it made more sense to buy it while I was in Japan. I’ll talk more about that later in this post.

So yes, I ended up making a quick stop at Traveler’s Factory Nakameguro in Tokyo.

What Is the Traveler’s Notebook Card Size?

The Traveler’s Notebook Card Size is a brand-new format released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Traveler’s Notebook. It’s even smaller than the Passport Size and feels like something between a notebook and a card wallet.

I’ve always loved compact notebooks, and I had even made one of my Traveler’s Notebooks into a travel wallet before. I usually plan my trips so I can visit both Japan and Korea, and it was perfect for keeping Japanese yen, Korean won, Korean cards, and Japanese cards neatly separated. I also made a pocket for receipts, so ever since then, it has become one of my must-haves whenever I travel to Japan.

Traveler’s Notebook Card Size Specs

For reference, here are the dimensions, materials, and pricing for the Traveler’s Notebook Card Size.

Dimensions

• Cover: H110 × W75 × D10 mm
• Refill: H100 × W65 × D2 mm
• Box: H151 × W114 × D40 mm

Materials

• Cowhide leather cover
• MD Paper refill

Price

• Japan: ¥8,800
• United States: $98

What’s Included in the 20th Anniversary Set?

The set includes:

• One cotton storage bag
• One leather cover
• One refill already installed
• Four additional refills
• One cotton zipper case
• One kraft folder
• Connecting rubber bands and one spare band

For something this small, it actually comes with a surprisingly generous set of accessories. The little zipper case and folder are especially cute and make the whole set feel complete.

Where Can You Buy the Traveler’s Notebook Card Size?

Buying in Japan

The Card Size set has been available at Traveler’s Factory locations in Japan, including Nakameguro, Tokyo Station, Kyoto, and Narita Airport. Since this is a special anniversary release, inventory can change quickly from store to store.

Buying in the United States

In the United States, the first place I’d check is Traveler’s Company USA. Some stationery stores, including Yoseka Stationery and JetPens, have also listed or announced the Card Size set, although availability changes quickly.

Buying the Traveler’s Notebook Card Size in Tokyo

I had originally decided to skip Traveler’s Factory because I didn’t want to go out of our way for it. Luckily, we had a little bit of time before heading to Okadaya, so I was able to make a quick stop at the Nakameguro store. I already shared my visit to Okadaya in a separate post if you’re interested!

The shop was both crowded and much smaller than I expected. There really wasn’t enough room for all of us to go in together, so everyone else waited outside while I made a quick run for it.

I didn’t spend any time browsing or looking around the store. I grabbed one or two things that happened to catch my eye, walked straight to the counter, and asked for the Card Size notebook. The staff member then pulled a box out from behind the counter and brought one over.

Choosing a color was easy because I already knew I preferred Brown over Black. A few minutes later, I walked back outside with my little box in hand, surprisingly happy for someone who had only been inside for a few minutes.

What I Love About the Traveler’s Notebook Card Size

So Cute

The first thing I noticed was how cute it is. It’s tiny, fits perfectly in my hand, and immediately made me want to carry it everywhere.

Even the included notebook and pocket are adorable. They’re basically miniature versions of things I’m already familiar with, which somehow makes them even more fun.

Perfect Size

I tend to make my Passport Size notebooks pretty chunky. I add extra inserts, tuck in papers and stickers, and eventually they become a little bulky to carry around.

This one feels completely different. Even if I end up adding more things to it, I can already tell it’ll still slip easily into almost any bag. It’s the kind of notebook I can throw into my bag every day without thinking twice about it.

Exactly What I Wanted

A while ago, I turned one of my Traveler’s Notebooks into a travel wallet and carried cards inside it. Ever since then, I’ve occasionally thought that a card-sized version would be fun to have.

Honestly, this release feels like the card-sized notebook I had always wanted.

A Few Things to Consider

Too Small for Planning

I don’t think this would work very well as a planner. To be fair, I already find the Passport Size a little small for planning, so this one feels tiny.

That doesn’t necessarily make it a bad size, though. I simply see it more as a companion notebook than something I’d use as my primary planner.

The Price

I understand that this is a special 20th anniversary release, but it still feels expensive for something this small. With the U.S. price sitting at almost $100, the cost was actually one of the reasons I decided it made more sense to buy it in Japan.

The set does come with a lot of extras, but not everyone will use every single item in it. Some people may only use certain types of refills, and personally, I don’t get much use out of kraft folders or zipper cases. So even though the set feels generous, I can also see why some people might still think it’s expensive if it includes items they may never end up using.

I had also heard that inventory in the U.S. was even more limited than in Japan, so I’d rather pick one up while I was there than anxiously refresh a website on release day hoping I could get one.

Refills

Another question mark for me is the refill situation. I honestly have no idea whether Traveler’s Company plans to release regular Card Size refills in the future.

If they do, this won’t be an issue at all, but for now it’s something to keep in mind.

The Colors

Personally, my favorite Traveler’s Notebook colors are Camel, Olive, and Navy, in that order. To me, Camel almost feels like the signature color of the brand.

I actually like the Brown cover and chose it over Black, but I still wish there had been more options.

Leather Quality

This one is more of a personal preference than an actual complaint.

My last few Traveler’s Notebook purchases have made me feel like the leather can be a bit of a lottery. I’m not talking about deep scratches or obvious damage, but several of mine arrived with pale areas around the fold lines. Leather balm didn’t really help.

I love the scratches and color changes that happen naturally with use because that’s part of the charm of Traveler’s Notebooks. But these spots looked different from normal wear, so they continued to stand out to me. Of course, this is just my personal preference, and everyone likes different things when it comes to leather.

Possible Ways to Use the Traveler’s Notebook Card Size

I still haven’t decided exactly how I want to use mine yet, which honestly makes it even more exciting.

I can see it working as a card wallet, a mini notebook, a travel journal, or a place to keep tickets and receipts. It could also make a fun sticker sample book or a holder for business cards and photo cards.

I also realized that Instax Mini photos fit inside surprisingly well, so I think it could make an adorable little photo album. Part of the fun of a Traveler’s Notebook is figuring out your own way of using it, and I have a feeling this tiny size could end up being surprisingly versatile.

A Quick Note on Leather Care

One of the things I love about Traveler’s Notebooks is that they change over time and develop their own character. I personally keep leather care pretty simple:

• Keep it away from water and excessive humidity
• Condition the leather occasionally when it feels dry
• Don’t worry too much about scratches and color changes—they’re part of the charm

I have a separate post that goes into more detail about how I care for my Traveler’s Notebooks, so I’ll link it below if you’d like a more in-depth guide.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Traveler’s Notebook

As someone who had dreamed about a card-sized Traveler’s Notebook for years, I was genuinely excited to see it finally become a reality for the brand’s 20th anniversary.

I still haven’t decided exactly how I’ll use mine yet, and somehow that’s part of the fun. If you’re looking for ideas, feel free to check out my other posts about how I use my Traveler’s Notebooks. You might find some inspiration there too.