Japanese Washi Tape & Stickers -- mt Tape, Deco Rush & Decorative Stationery

mt (Masking Tape) -- The Original Japanese Washi Tape

If washi tape has a single origin story, it is mt (short for "masking tape"). The brand, owned by Kamoi Kakoshi Co., launched in 2006 and essentially invented the decorative masking tape category. Before mt, masking tape was an industrial product. Beige, ugly, purely functional. mt turned it into an art form.

mt tape is made from authentic Japanese washi paper, a traditional handmade paper that is stronger and more flexible than wood-pulp paper. The tape is repositionable (peel it up and stick it again without tearing), writable (ballpoint, gel pen, and pencil all write on it), semi-transparent (creates a beautiful layered effect), and acid-free (safe for archival use in journals and planners).

The color and pattern range is staggering. mt has released thousands of designs over the years. Everything from single solid colors to intricate patterns (stripes, polka dots, floral, geometric, seasonal, characters, and art collaborations). They are typically sold in 15 mm x 10 m rolls, but they also make mini rolls (6 mm x 10 m) and jumbo rolls (30 mm x 10 m).

mt releases "regular" designs that are always available and "limited edition" designs that sell out quickly. The tape is manufactured in Japan and is available worldwide through stationery stores, online retailers, and the official mt store in Tokyo. The brand has collaborated with designers, artists, and brands over the years.

Best for: planner decoration, journaling, card-making, gift wrapping, labeling, DIY projects.

Deco Rush -- The Tape Dispenser System

The Deco Rush is one of the most popular Japanese stationery inventions of the past decade. It is a tape dispenser system that looks like a correction tape tool but dispenses decorative tape patterns instead of white tape. You press the tip against the paper and slide. A patterned tape appears instantly on the page.

There are three main Deco Rush systems, all made by different companies:

Deco Rush Gold (by Kokuyo): The original and most popular. Uses refill cartridges (sold separately) with hundreds of patterns. Borders, ribbons, stamps, lace, badges, seasonal motifs. The tape is writable (you can add text on top) and repositionable. The Gold system has a metal tip for smooth dispensing and a clear body to show remaining tape.

Deco Rush Pink (by Kokuyo): A slimmed-down version designed for younger users. The patterns are more playful (animals, sweets, stars, hearts, characters). The Pink system is compatible with Gold refills, so you can mix and match.

Deco Rush Pritt (by Kokuyo + Henkel): A cross-brand collaboration that uses Pritt adhesive technology. The tape is repositionable and writable, and the dispenser is ergonomic.

Deco Rush LITE (by Kokuyo): A budget version with a simpler plastic body and a smaller selection of patterns.

The Deco Rush is a category-defining product. It is faster and cleaner than using individual washi tape rolls. You do not need scissors, and there is no waste. It is hugely popular in Japan with students and office workers who want to add decoration to their planners, notebooks, and documents quickly.

Best for: quick planner decoration, classroom use, adding pattern to notes and documents.

Japanese Sticker Culture -- A World of Tiny Art

Japanese sticker culture is its own universe, distinct from and older than the global sticker trend. In Japan, stickers are not just for decorating laptops. They are an integral part of stationery culture, used in letters, journals, planners, and as collectible art objects.

Mt Tape Stickers: mt makes pre-cut sticker sheets in their signature washi paper. These are die-cut shapes from their most popular tape patterns: animals, flowers, letters, and abstract shapes. They are easier to use than tape for precise placement.

Pyon Pyon Stickers: A popular Japanese brand of decorative stickers featuring cute kawaii characters, food, animals, and scenes. They use high-quality paper and detail printing.

MIND WAVE Stickers: MIND WAVE is a Japanese stationery brand that produces some of the most beautiful sticker sheets available. Their NEO DECO series features retro French-inspired motifs, and their Schedule Stickers are designed specifically for planner use. Tiny icons for appointments, tasks, and events.

Sticker Books and Sets: Many Japanese stationery brands put out themed sticker books (with dozens of sheets), sticker sets (packaged collections), and sticker masks (pre-cut shapes on wax paper).

Japanese stickers are characterized by higher quality materials (thick paper, strong adhesive, clean die-cutting), more sophisticated designs (from minimalist to intricate), and themed releases that align with seasons, holidays, and trends.

Best for: planner decoration, bullet journaling, pen pal letters, scrapbooking, card making.

Brand Collaborations & Limited Editions

Japanese washi tape and sticker brands are prolific collaborators. Limited edition releases are a core part of the culture, driving excitement and collectibility. Here are some of the most notable collaborations:

mt x Aesop: A collaboration between mt tape and the luxury skincare brand Aesop. The tapes feature botanical motifs and Aesop's signature typography. Extremely limited and highly collectible.

mt x Miffy: Dick Bruna's Miffy character on mt tape. Available in multiple patterns featuring the iconic bunny. Popular with both children and adult collectors.

mt x Kamome Factory: Gakuhu, the character from the Japanese art project Kamome Factory, paired with mt for a limited tape series. Characteristically whimsical and story-driven.

Deco Rush x Sanrio: Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters on Deco Rush tape cartridges. Perennially popular, with new patterns released each season.

Deco Rush x Mofusand: The internet-famous Mofusand (Japanese artist's cat wearing a shark hoodie) on Deco Rush cartridges. Frequently sells out on release day.

MIND WAVE x & Premium: MIND WAVE frequently collaborates with Japanese lifestyle magazine & Premium for exclusive sticker sheets with Parisian and European motifs.

These collaborations are typically released through specific retailers (LOFT, Tokyu Hands, Itoya, or the brand's own store) and sell out quickly. If you are not in Japan, online Japanese stationery retailers like JetPens and Amazon Japan are the best options. But act fast.

Journaling & Planner Decoration

Washi tape and stickers have become essential to the planner and journaling community. Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are filled with "spreads": highly decorated planner pages that combine washi tape borders, sticker accents, hand-lettered headers, and pen-and-ink journaling.

Here is how the Japanese stationery community uses decorative elements:

Borders: A strip of washi tape along the top, bottom, or side of a planner page defines the layout. Colorful borders separate different sections (work, personal, health, notes).

Flags and Tabs: Folded washi tape creates tabs for quick page navigation. The repositionable adhesive means you can move them without damaging paper.

Washi Tape Bookmarks: A strip of tape applied to a page edge and folded over creates a durable, decorative bookmark.

Photo Masking: Washi tape is used to mount photos and ephemera in journals without glue. Unlike regular tape, washi tape won't damage the photo or the page when removed.

Sticker Icons: Small stickers (hearts, stars, symbols, icons) mark appointments, deadlines, birthdays, and special events. The MIND WAVE Schedule Stickers are designed specifically for this.

Layering: Semi-transparent washi tape layers create depth. A light-colored tape over a darker one creates a new color. Patterned tape over a solid creates texture.

The key is that Japanese washi tape and stickers are designed to be both beautiful and functional. The repositionable adhesive means you can make mistakes and try again. The writable surface means you can add notes directly on the tape. The archival quality means your decorated pages will last for years.

For planner-specific decoration tips, see our planners guide and Hobonichi brand hub.

Where to Buy Japanese Washi Tape & Stickers

The best selection is always in Japan, at stores like LOFT, Tokyu Hands, and Itoya (Ginza, Tokyo). These stores carry the full range of mt, Deco Rush, and MIND WAVE products, plus limited-edition collaborations you will not find anywhere else.

Outside Japan, the best online options are:

• JetPens — Excellent selection of mt, Deco Rush, and Japanese stickers. Fast shipping from the US.
• Amazon Japan — Ships internationally. Better prices on bulk orders and access to Japan-exclusive releases.
• Kawaii Pen Shop — Curated selection of Japanese stationery including washi tape and stickers.
• mt Tape Official Store — The full mt catalog, including limited editions.
• Etsy — Many Japanese stationery resellers with hard-to-find and vintage tapes.

For more general buying advice, see our Where to Buy Japanese Stationery guide.

Top Japanese Washi Tape & Sticker Picks