What will you give your father this year?
A bottle of beer, a necktie, a wallet, a good drink — somehow, year after year, we end up choosing something similar. We arrive at Father’s Day without ever really being sure whether the gift will land. There is a quiet frustration that comes with shopping for a father.
We want to give something that lasts. But our father’s tastes are, honestly, hard to read. We think it over and over, and in the end we fall back on the usual. If that feeling sounds familiar, perhaps this year is the year to consider a different kind of gift: a handwritten letter.
A letter does not fade with the years. Words set down on washi paper carry, the moment the envelope is opened, the simple message: “He thought of me.” Rather than an object, you are giving the feeling itself. That is what a letter offers.
In this article we have gathered everything in one place — why a washi letter is the right choice for Father’s Day, how to choose the paper, how to actually write the letter (with three short examples), and when to place your order so it arrives in time. By the time you finish reading, we hope you will be thinking, “This is what I’ll give this year.”
Why a Washi Letter Is the Right Father’s Day Gift
Izumo Yakumo: Birthplace of the Paper Gods
Our workshop, Washinkobo, sits in Izumo Yakumo, in Shimane Prefecture — a land where paper has been made by hand for centuries, long known in Japan as the “birthplace of the paper gods.”
The paper made here, Izumo Mingei-shi (Izumo Folk-Craft Paper), is the washi protected and passed down by Sakaeshiro Abe, designated a Living National Treasure of Japan. It is celebrated for the warmth of its hand-made texture and the way it holds ink and sumi. The subtle, sheet-by-sheet variations that no machine can reproduce — that is the flavor of true hand-made washi.
Fathers Already Know the Pleasure of Writing
Fountain pens, brush pens, manuscript paper. For many fathers, the act of writing is more familiar than we give them credit for. The quiet pleasure of laying ink onto good paper — they will recognize it.
Set a sheet of washi letter paper before you and your posture changes by itself. The time spent writing becomes part of the gift. Not only the one who receives it, but the one who writes it, is given a quiet, particular hour — and that is something only a washi letter can do.
A Gift That Stays in His Drawer
Neckties wear out. Bottles are emptied. But a letter stays in your father’s drawer for years — something he can pull out and read again on a quiet evening. Father’s Day comes once a year. All the more reason, then, to choose something that lasts.
How to Choose Washi Letter Paper and Letter Sets
“I want to send a washi letter — but where do I even start?” If that’s where you are, here is a simple four-step way to choose.
STEP 1. Not sure where to start? Begin with a Letter Set
A letter set pairs paper and envelope together — one purchase, and the letter is ready to go. When you are not sure what to choose, this is the safe choice.
- Letter Set (Sōetsu Yanagi Original Design) — ¥4,950
One of Washinkobo’s best-sellers. The design is taken from Sōetsu Yanagi, the founder of Japan’s Mingei (folk-craft) movement — quietly dignified, and well suited to a Father’s Day gift that feels properly considered. - Letter Set (Izumo Kumogami / Cloud Paper) — ¥5,280
A premium letter set with a delicate pattern that resembles drifting clouds across the sheet. For a father who deserves something a little exceptional. - Letter Set (Plain) — ¥1,320
Simple, clean, easy to use. A good choice when you want to add a small “something extra” to another gift.
STEP 2. Choose the Letter Paper
If you want to focus on the paper itself, choose the letter sheets on their own. You can pick a paper that suits the kind of father he is.
- Izumo Letter Paper (Brown, Wide-Ruled) — ¥2,420
A calm brown that reads as quietly masculine. The wide ruling makes it easy to write on — a good fit for older fathers as well. - Deckle-Edge Mitsumata Letter Paper (Plain, 30 sheets) — ¥2,640
The “deckle” — the natural rough edge of the sheet — gives this paper an unmistakable hand-made quality. Refined enough for formal thank-you letters, which makes it a good match for fathers still active in their work. - Izumo Gampi Letter Paper (20 sheets) — ¥3,960
Made from gampi — long called the “queen of washi” in Japan. The smoothness against a pen tip is something the writer feels immediately. - Ippitsusen / Single-Note Paper (20 sheets) — ¥990
A small sheet for adding a few words alongside another gift. Affordable, and easy to add to a larger order.
STEP 3. Pair It with an Envelope
Once you have chosen the paper, choose an envelope to match. Combining your own paper and envelope makes the set genuinely one of a kind.
- Izumo Washi Japanese-Style Envelope (Plain, 10 pcs) — ¥1,210
The classic match for our letter paper. - Izumo Washi Western-Style Envelope (5 pcs) — ¥792
For a more casual gift. Available in plain as well as seven solid colors and Izumo Kumogami (cloud paper) variants.
STEP 4. For an Elegant Touch: the Makigami Scroll Letter
- Izumo Washi Makigami Scroll Letter (Kumogami / Cloud Paper) — ¥4,400
One long, continuous sheet on which you write the letter as your thoughts unfold. The most traditional and atmospheric of formats — a gift for a father who genuinely loves the act of writing.
How to Write to Your Father — Three Short Examples
“I haven’t written a letter in years.” “I don’t know what to say.” That’s fine. The letter does not need to be long. Three lines, and your father will be glad of it.
If you are not sure how to begin, here are three short examples to lean on.
Example 1: A simple thank-you
Dad, thank you for everything.
I hope you’re keeping well.
Take care of yourself — and live a long life.
Example 2: With a small piece of news
Dad,
I’m starting to find my feet at work.
I realize now that I grew up watching your back. Thank you — and let’s keep in touch.
Example 3: For people who find this kind of thing awkward
It’s Father’s Day, so I thought I’d write a quick note.
I can’t say this in person — it’s a bit embarrassing — but I’m grateful.
I’ll come round to see you soon.
The key is not to try to write well. The warmth of the washi itself softens even clumsy words.
A Small Extra Gift, Chosen by His Hobby
If you would like to add a small extra gift alongside the letter, here are a few washi items chosen by the kind of hobbies fathers tend to have.
- For a father who enjoys the tea ceremony | Kaishi Tea Ceremony Paper (20 sheets) | ¥1,320
100% mitsumata washi. A practical paper for the tea room, but one whose quality speaks quietly for itself. - For a father who enjoys visiting shrines | Izumo Gampi Wachō (Goshuin Pilgrimage Book) | ¥13,200
A special goshuin-chō (pilgrimage stamp book) bound with gampi washi — for the father who collects the calligraphic stamps of the shrines and temples he visits. - For a shrine-visiting father (more affordable) | Wachō (Floral / Izumo Kumogami) | ¥5,500
A wachō notebook covered in floral Izumo Kumogami (cloud paper). Equally at home as a goshuin book or as a personal journal. - For a father who enjoys craft and the arts | Pure Gampi Paper (White, Board-Dried, Small Format, 1 sheet) | ¥2,200
100% gampi, board-dried, in a single sheet (53 × 38 cm). A gift of raw material — for printmaking, calligraphy, seal-carving, Japanese painting, or any craft a father might love.
Is a Letter on Its Own Really Enough?
Some people worry: “A letter alone — won’t it feel a little thin?”
But think about it this way. What a father remembers, in the end, is not the object itself — it is the fact that someone spent their time on him. A handwritten letter is the gift that conveys that fact most directly. A letter is not a cheap substitute. It is, if anything, the most generous gift you can give.
If you would still like to add something, the “small extra gift” section above, or a paper-and-envelope combination, is more than enough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I use a fountain pen on washi letter paper?
A. Yes. Izumo washi holds ink and sumi cleanly — fountain pens, brush pens and ballpoint pens all write well on it. If you are unsure, try a few strokes on the edge of the sheet first.
Q. Will it arrive in time for Father’s Day?
A. Yes — if you order in time. We ship internationally by EMS (tracked international post), and transit typically takes around two weeks depending on the destination and local customs. To arrive in time for Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21), please place your order by late May at the latest. See the closing section below for how international ordering works.
Q. Is gift wrapping available?
A. Yes, we offer gift wrapping. Please mention it in the order notes at checkout, or by email.
Q. I’m sending this to a father who lives far away. I worry the washi might be damaged.
A. To protect the letter paper from creasing or humidity, we recommend placing it inside a stiff card or clear file before sealing the envelope.
Three Top Picks for Father’s Day
If you cannot decide, choosing from these three will not steer you wrong.
- For a “proper” gift | Letter Set (Sōetsu Yanagi Original Design) — ¥4,950
- If the paper itself matters most | Izumo Letter Paper (Brown, Wide-Ruled) — ¥2,420 + Izumo Washi Envelope — ¥1,210
- For a small thoughtful add-on | Ippitsusen / Single-Note Paper — ¥990 / Letter Set (Plain) — ¥1,320
The full range of our washi paper and stationery can be browsed at the Washinkobo online shop (washi-shop.com). International shipping is supported — see the section below.
In Closing — Order in Time for Father’s Day
This Father’s Day, why not write the one line you have never quite been able to say — on a sheet of Izumo washi. The writing does not need to be elegant. The letter, however it is written, will stay in your father’s drawer for years to come.
Ordering from outside Japan
You can order directly through our online shop, washi-shop.com. The cart accepts international shipping addresses and PayPal payment. The shop interface is in Japanese only — please use Google Translate in your browser, or email us if you would like help reading the checkout.
How international shipping is billed (two steps):
- At checkout, the cart will charge you the item price plus a small Japan-side handling fee (¥880, waived for orders of ¥10,000 and over). You pay this through PayPal at checkout.
- After your order, we will send you a separate PayPal invoice for the international EMS air shipping, calculated by weight and destination. Typical EMS rates from Japan, for parcels up to 2 kg, run from around ¥1,500 (East Asia) to ¥8,000 or so (Americas, Europe, Oceania).
Timing for Father’s Day delivery: For arrival by Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21), please order by late May at the latest. EMS transit usually takes about two weeks, but customs in some countries can add a few days.
Gift wrapping is available — please mention it in the order notes at checkout, or by email.
Questions or special requests? Email us at admin@washi-iyashi.com. We are happy to help in English with paper recommendations, shipping quotes, and any custom requests.
▶ Browse and order at the Washinkobo online shop (washi-shop.com)
Comments