The English translation of this article's headline is Lifestyle Notebooks. This Japanese magazine reported on the growing popularity of these small books and featured some of its favorites, including the new Kolo Essex Travel Book, about which it says:

Kolo, a well-established photo album brand, has produced innovative notebooks for travelers. The photo-sleeve booklet in it allows you to show photographs. Essex has a variety of inserts such as address books and weekly planners.

This April 2009 issue of VISA Magazine hit newsstands in The Land of the Rising Sun in mid-March, just as the new Kolo Essex Travel Book was being introduced. That's some fast reporting work on the part of the editors of VISA.

Thanks to our friend Jun of ITOYA in Tokyo for sending this in. Check out the entire article here.

The Kolo Essex Travel Book already comes pre-loaded with a photo-sleeve booklet and lined journal. Kyle at Kolo wants to let the Kolo community know that you will be able to further customize your Kolo Essex in early May, when the extra booklets (including the address booklet and monthly accordion calendar) and extra elastic loops will become available. Stay tuned here for further information about this new product.