Have you ever thought about whether to buy a mattress or futon? I know I have.
Growing up, I always slept on mattresses, well beds really, and I only learned the word futon when I was much older.
At that time, it was marketed as more of a cool, designer type furniture than something the average Japanese person was used to sleeping on, back home.
There were cool looking futon sofa beds which had a light weight wooden foldable frame underneath. They looked nothing like the ones in J-dramas or Japanese horror movies. Yeah, you know those ones! The futons in the tatami room scenes ones.
Quick links
Personal experience
First futon experience in Japan
My first real experience with a futon was in a Ryokan (Japanese inn). It was in a tatami room and while I was excited that it looked super Japanese, I quickly discovered that it was harder than the mattresses I was used to sleeping on.
Could I actually fall asleep on it? Yes. Was it ok? Yes. But it was one of those, good, but not good enough to change my established sleeping habits for, type of things.
Getting my first futon
Since I had decided that I preferred mattresses/beds to futons, that’s what I continued using in every apartment I lived in…until one day I had no choice but to get a futon.
I had just moved to a city in Western Japan, and needed to set up the entire apartment pretty quickly. The whole city was new to me and I didn’t really have anyone to give me advice on where to shop.
Nowadays, we can just whip out our phone and do a search. We can choose from brick and mortar shops, or order it online and have it delivered.
Because there were no Online options, or at least not many, I ended up just going to a nearby Home Centre and getting most of my furniture there – and they didn’t sell beds! But since they sold futons, I got one so I would at least have something to sleep on until I found something else.
Sleeping on my Futon
It was hard and uncomfortable, and I could literally feel the flooring underneath the futon. I repeat, the flooring.
I was young enough to not get backaches because of it, but I really didn’t like how it felt.
One day at work shortly after, I was talking to a coworker about how hard it was, and said I don’t know why it didn’t feel quite as bad when I stayed at the Ryokan.
Revelation
My Japanese coworker informed me that 1. Futons on tatami are more comfortable, and 2. If I wanted to use it on flooring, I should at least have 2 layers.
WHAT?! 2 layers?
I found out that people used futon mats, and sometimes even had wooden plank stands underneath.
I was also introduced to the very real risk of mold under the futon if I didn’t air it out! For this reason, they are products that help prevent this. Things like futon drying racks, and futon dryers.
Oh, and those people that hang their futons over their balcony wall and beat them with a futon beater? You know, those rattan sticks that look like they have a pretzel at the tip? Yeah, you need to join that club, or risk sleeping on a no longer fluffy futon – a flat one.
Mattress or Futon
Both options are available in Japan, and it goes without saying that it all boils down to personal preference.
A simple checklist to think about
- if the room has Flooring or Tatami
- whether you need storage space underneath
- size (futons generally do not come in Queen or King sizes)
- futon care (storing in the day, sunning and beating on the weekends, getting rid of moisture using rack or futon dryer
- how soft or firm you want it to be
- if you like sleeping close to the ground
- cost
- your weight (the only reason why this is here is because I know of people that have bought the firmest mattress they could find from one of the chain stores, and had it go soft within a year)
- Bed frames (many people find that the more affordable options are less sturdy than what they are used to)
Where to buy a Mattress in Japan
Mattresses are easy to find in Japan. There are shops like Ikea and Nitori where you can get reasonably priced mattresses. Even Muji sells them.
One thing though, these stores rarely have personalized service so doing a bit of research first could be helpful.
There are also pricier options such as Koala, Sealy, Air Weave, Simmons and Nishikawa. I have noticed that staff in these stores tend to be a bit more knowledgeable about the mattresses and so can answer more detailed questions. Of course, this might not always be the case.
You should be able to find these stores by doing a quick internet search, but if you cannot find them in your nearby department store, try search for 寝具+area name, マットレス+area name or ベッド+area name.
Where to buy Futon in Japan
Japan has many Shoutengai (商店街) aka shopping arcades, and there are usually shops there that sell Futon. Many of them have been in business for a long time and the owners pride themselves on being knowledgeable.
Department stores also sell futon, but if you prefer to look online first, you can search for 布団屋さん + area name or ふとん店 + area name.
One thing to note is that the futon you sleep on is called Shikibuton (敷布団) and the one you use to cover yourself with is called Kakebuton (掛け布団) or Umoubuton (羽毛布団). If you just say you’re looking for a ‘Futon’, you will probably get asked which one. 😉
Happy Mattress/Futon hunting!
Star
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