Midori MD Notebook - A5 Grid Paper (15003006) + MD notebook

The Verdict

If you’ve ever written on cheap copy paper with a fountain pen, you know the pain of bleed-through and feathering. The Midori MD Notebook A5 Grid is the exact opposite of that experience. This is a Japanese notebook that’s been around since the 1950s, and it’s earned a cult following for one reason: the paper. It’s not flashy, it’s not clever, and it doesn’t have any gimmicks. It just works, beautifully.

What You Actually Get

The package is refreshingly simple: one A5 notebook with 88 pages (176 sides) of 5mm grid paper. That’s it. No elastic band, no pocket folder, no ribbon bookmark — just the notebook wrapped in a thin paper band. The cover is a flexible cardstock that’s textured like a soft-touch matte finish. It’s intentionally minimal, which is either a feature or a flaw depending on how you treat your gear.

The paper itself is the star. It’s Midori’s signature MD (Midori Diary) paper — a cream-colored, slightly textured stock that’s thick enough to handle most inks without ghosting. At 5mm grid, the lines are light gray and subtle. They guide your writing without fighting for attention.

Real-World Performance

I tested this notebook with a Pilot Metropolitan (fine nib), a Lamy Safari (medium nib), and a gel pen. The results were consistent: no bleed-through, minimal ghosting, and a pleasant tactile feedback that makes you want to keep writing. The paper has a slight tooth to it — not slick like Rhodia, but not rough like Tomoe River. It’s a middle ground that most pen users will find satisfying.

The lay-flat binding is genuinely impressive. You can open this notebook to page one and it stays flat without any pressing. That’s a huge deal for left-handed writers or anyone who likes to draw across two pages. The thread-stitching is durable; I’ve tossed this in a backpack for a month and the binding hasn’t budged.

One thing that surprised me: the grid pattern is fainter than most competitor grids. If you’re used to the darker grids in Moleskine or Leuchtturm, the Midori will feel almost blank at first glance. For some that’s a plus — it lets your handwriting or sketches carry the page. For others, it might be too subtle to be useful.

What Buyers Are Saying

The 4.8-star rating across 240 reviews tracks with my experience. One reviewer put it well: “This is the notebook I didn’t know I needed. The paper is unlike anything I’ve used — my fountain pen glides across it and my ink dries quickly without smudging.” Another noted the build quality: “The binding is perfect. It lays flat from day one, which is rare even in expensive notebooks.”

The most common criticism, and it’s a fair one, is the bare-bones design. As one buyer put it: “I wish it had a pocket or a ribbon. It feels a little too stripped down for the price.” That’s the tradeoff — you’re paying for paper quality, not frills.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the limitations. The cover is thin. It’s not going to protect your notebook from a coffee spill or a rough commute. Midori sells a separate vinyl cover for this exact reason, but that’s an extra purchase. If you’re rough on your gear, budget for a cover or wrap it in something.

There’s also no page numbering, no table of contents, and no perforation. This is a pure writing instrument, not a planner. If you need structure, look elsewhere.

Who Should Buy This

• Fountain pen users who are tired of ghosting and bleed-through
• Journalers who want a minimal, distraction-free page that lays flat
• Bullet journal minimalists who don’t need pre-printed layouts
• Sketchbook dabblers who want a grid that’s subtle enough to disappear behind pencil work

Skip it if you need tear-out pages, a built-in pocket, or a hardcover that survives being thrown in a gym bag.

FAQ

Is the Midori MD paper good for fountain pens? Yes — this is arguably its strongest feature. The paper is sized and coated to handle fountain pen ink without bleed or feathering. Dry times are reasonable, though wetter inks will take a few extra seconds to set.

Does the grid show through to the other side? No. The paper is thick enough that the grid stays on its own page. You’ll see faint ghosting of large ink areas on the reverse side, but nothing that makes the back unusable.

How does it compare to Leuchtturm or Moleskine? The Midori paper is noticeably higher quality — less bleed, better ink handling, and a more pleasant writing texture. But Leuchtturm offers page numbers, a pocket, and an elastic band built in. It’s a tradeoff between paper quality and features.

The Verdict

Buy it if you value paper quality above all else and don’t mind a bare-bones design. Skip it if you need structural features or a rugged cover.

This is a writer’s notebook, plain and simple. It won’t organize your life, but it will make every page you fill feel like a small luxury. At this price point, you’re paying for the paper — and it’s worth every penny.

Rating: 4.6/5 — exceptional paper, minimal frills, honest tradeoffs.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.