See update at bottom of post for purchase info (Spoiler: it’s not good news) Updated: 18 Jan – you can preorder one!
The Omoshiroi Block, from Japanese company Triad Inc, is a memo block, with an inbuilt pen holder, of 100 (non-sticky) pages. As you use each note you uncover a tiny sculpture, and the folded notes become a haunting, monochromatic landscape to surround it. They have other models, too, over on their beautiful Instagram, but this one, of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, is everything.
Apparently, these go for around US$50 to US$100, and so seriously, I will never have the budget to buy one, but I need some human I have at least a tenuous connection to, to own one and make my life complete. Forget the fact the notes are tiny. Write one word a day. It’ll be minimalistic poetry.
Update 15 Jan: WHERE TO BUY
Basically, you can’t. There is no English language online retailer. The Triad-Inc server has crashed under the weight of traffic so I can’t ask them for purchase info.
Tokyu Hands in Umeda had some last week, but they are all gone. Kyoto Design House apparently had some as of the weekend 13/14 Jan, but they do not seem to have them listed on their website http://kyoto-dh.com/en/ If anyone has a contact to actually physically go to their store, let me know if they still have stock. (Update 2: Kyoto Design House posted on their Facebook they are sold out).
As far as I can tell, there are zero omoshiroi blocks left on the globe to buy. If I hear more I will update.
Update 18 Jan. Hat tip to Mike for letting us know Japan Trend Shop is accepting pre-orders for three styles of Omoshiroi block: Kiyomizudera Temple ( the one photographed above), Asakusa Temple, and Tokyo Tower, for USD$119 with $20 shipping, and stock expected Feb 1. Like Mike, I have no experience with Japan Trend Shop. If you’ve dealt with them before and found them to be a stand-up company – or not – share the info.
With a Squid Ink Pen 
That is Kiyomizudera! It’s Kiyomizudera, isn’t it?
It is! I should add a pic of the real thing to my post. The company makes architectural models – the memo blocks are only a sideline
Kiyomizudera is one of my most favourite places in Japan, and I adding this to my when I write a best-seller wish list.
right? JK Rowling could buy the whole set!
oh my gosh, those are gorgeous!
Hey. Where can I buy one of these?
Tokyo Hands Umeda store had some, but they are sold out. Kyoto Design House had some as of the weekend, but they do not seem to have them listed on their website http://kyoto-dh.com/en/
So unless you have a contact in Kyoto to actually go down there, you might be out of luck. We need an online English seller! I don’t think Triad-Inc anticipated these going viral.
http://www.japantrendshop.com/omoshiroi-block-japanese-landmark-memo-pad-p-4242.html
This place says you can pre order for 119 with 20 dollars shipping and they expect them to be in stock Feb 1st… Idk anything about the site though
Thanks!
They’re very cool, but… *pictures Mayhem gnawing on it*
May totally deserves a $119 kitty chew toy 🙂
What a nice idea. The japanese are crazy. 😀