Trying the HHKB 30th Anniversary Limited “Feather Touch.” What 30g actuation force suggests for year 31 — Tenkey Vol.11 report
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Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Meetup Vol.11 was held on June 6, 2026.
At recent “Tenkey” events, more and more companies have been exhibiting booths, and we’re gradually seeing more cases where new products are previewed to match the event.
At the HHKB booth, a regular among the company booths, the display focused on the “Limited Feather Touch Model” commemorating HHKB’s 30th anniversary.
I went to check out the typing feel of this “limited model,” with only 3,000 units distributed in total in Japan.
For HHKB, 2026 is a “premium year,” marking 30 years since the HHKB was released.
The limited model released to mark the occasion is the “Feather Touch Model,” with the actuation force set to 30g.
The Control key has a 30th anniversary limited design, and the alphas use center legends.
The biggest point of interest is, of course, the actuation force being changed to 30g.
REALFORCE, which uses the same electrostatic capacitive non-contact method, has a regular 30g model in its lineup, but HHKB has never had one until now.
If you want to change the actuation force, you need to buy third-party parts and customize it yourself.
However, doing the swap yourself requires disassembling the HHKB, which not only risks voiding the manufacturer warranty but also carries the risk that it may stop working properly.
In that sense, this special model seems to meet the needs of existing HHKB fans by letting them get a “lighter actuation force” with zero risk.
Kawamura
For third-party options, YMDK is available on Amazon Japan. The custom-focused shop DESKEYS offers an even wider lineup.
According to PR representative Mr. Hachino, by using a different rubber dome than the standard model, they achieved a lighter typing feel than the standard model (45g actuation force).
He also said that no other hardware elements—such as the actuation point—have been changed at all.
Available in 3 colors × 2 layouts
The special-edition model comes in HHKB’s top-tier “HYBRID Type-S” in both US (English) and Japanese layouts.
You can choose from a total of six variations.
According to the press release, total sales are limited to 3,000 units in Japan, with limited stock for each color.
array (programming, programing)
volume
English-language array
1,500 units (Charcoal 750 / White 300 / Snow 450)
Japanese layout
1,500 units (Charcoal 750 / White 300 / Snow 450)
At the booth, all three colors—Charcoal, White, and Snow—were on display so you could compare them with the standard model.
From left: Charcoal, White, Snow. Top row is the 45g model; bottom row is the 30g model.The Charcoal model paired perfectly with the red limited keytops. Red accents really work with black.
Opinions seem split on the center legends—some booth visitors said they prefer the more classic top-left legends.
It’s funny how center legends somehow make it look more modern.
Kawamura
This really comes down to personal preference. Since keytops are also sold separately, it’s nice that you can easily switch back to a classic look.
What you really want to know is how the Feather Touch feels to type on.
My impression was that changing the rubber dome didn’t just make it “lighter”—it also significantly changed the switch “texture,” so to speak.
It’s easy to say “light,” but HHKB isn’t like mechanical key switches: instead of a spring, it changes actuation force through the “elasticity of rubber.”
In other words, with less elasticity, it felt like it also reduced the distinctive “tactile feel” of electrostatic capacitive switches.
Of course, the electrostatic capacitive structure itself isn’t changing, but if I had to describe it in mechanical-switch terms, the standard 45g model felt more “tactile-leaning,” while the 30g model felt more “linear-leaning.”
Kawamura
Personally, I preferred the 30g. I usually like linear mechanical switches around 37gf–40gf, and this typing feel was exactly what I’m into.
Wrap-up | A new direction for HHKB beyond its 30th anniversary
That’s my overview of what the limited-release “Feather Touch Model” HHKB feels like to use.
It might not be realistic because SKU management would get complicated, but personally, I liked the typing feel enough that I’d be happy to see it as a “permanent lineup” option.
HHKB turns 30 this year.
While it has evolved with the times on the software side—like firmware and keymap changes—it’s a remarkably rare keyboard that has continued without significantly breaking from its original philosophy in the fundamentals: layout, size, and typing feel.
On the other hand, in recent years the keyboard market has also seen a growing culture of choosing typing feel, looks, and structure to match your own preferences.
In the mechanical keyboard world, the fun of choosing switches, keycaps, foam, mounting styles, and more is becoming the norm, and even in the electrostatic capacitive space we’re starting to see new movements like aftermarket custom parts and modular switches.
In that context, this 30g Feather Touch model felt like a board that expands the typing-feel options while still preserving the philosophy HHKB has protected for years.
Limited models like this feel like a special board aimed at existing fans who can really appreciate the differences.
At the same time, if the goal is to bring HHKB’s philosophy to a wider audience, it could be interesting if a more accessible model—something like an “HHKB Entry” with a streamlined price and spec—were to appear in the future.
A model that doesn’t diminish the value of the higher-end lineup, but serves as an entry point to experience HHKB’s layout philosophy and the appeal of compact keyboards.
As HHKB marks its 30th anniversary, how will it continue to protect its unchanging philosophy while expanding to new user groups?
I’m looking forward to seeing what HHKB does in year 31 and beyond.
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Kawamura
