Futon – Do the Japanese sleep on the floor?

Japan likes simple things, and one of those things is sleeping on the floor on a cozy futon. These are rollable mattresses made to be placed on tatami-type floors. In this article, we will see the benefits of sleeping on a Japanese mattress.

Is it uncomfortable? Why not a bed? That is the question many ask when they see Japanese people sleeping on a mat on the floor. We will also see why the Japanese prefer the futon to a traditional bed.

What is a futon?

The futon [布団] is thin, about only 5 cm high, and contains cotton, wool, or synthetic material inside. Sets are sold in Japan that include the mattress (shikibuton), comforter (kakebuton), and pillow (makura). These pillows are filled with adzuki beans, buckwheat, or plastic pieces.

The futon is a type of padding or blanket flexible enough to be folded and stored during the day and used at night, aiming to save space. It consists of a shikibuton (bottom) and a kakebuton (thick padding).

It can be a big cultural shock to Westerners; they are quite thin and even harder than a mattress, but this is seen as a benefit. Locals will tell you that a soft bed makes your body go limp. They are designed to be good for the body and mind. You won’t catch a Japanese monk sleeping on a soft bed.

You can find these Japanese mats in ryokan inns, minshuku, and some hostels. The experience of most foreign travelers who enjoyed the futon reported an excellent night’s sleep.

Origin of futons

The origin of the futon is uncertain, as people have been sleeping on straw mats since the 13th century. Nobles of the time slept on tatami, but none of them were as comfortable as they are today. Most did not use blankets, slept naked, and covered themselves with their clothes.

Bedding appeared in the 17th century, filled with cotton and wool. Basically, it was these bedding items that gave rise to the futon. In the 18th century, futons were still expensive due to the price of cotton. Some cost as much as 1,200,000 yen.

Futon [布団] can be literally translated as a group [団] of cloths [布]. The futon set comprises all the pieces of the bed, not just the mattress or its blanket. Futon can also be the name of that round pillow used for zen meditation.

One of the oldest and most popular companies that manufactures futons is called Nishikawa and has been around for over 440 years.

How to use a futon?

The futon should be exposed to the sun to prevent it from becoming like stale bread. Therefore, it is common to find buildings full of stretched futons.

Many people often beat the futon with a special bamboo stick called futon tataki to shake out the dust. When wet, the Japanese use the futonkansōki (dryer), which forces warm air into the mattress.

Futons should be folded and stored in the morning. This prevents it from molding and also frees up space for use during the day. If you are in a ryokan, you don’t need to worry about someone folding it for you. Some guests tend to fold it out of habit.

If you are a guest in someone’s home, it is considered good manners to fold your own futon in the morning. Japanese homes have special closets to store these mattresses. However, as a guest, it is better to fold it and leave it in a corner of the room out of the way.

The futon was made to be used on Tatami, a type of special flooring made of rice straw. If the room is without tatami, it is common to find a Western bed.

The benefits of sleeping on a futon

One of the main benefits of using a futon is its portability, which saves a huge amount of space. You can simply roll up the entire mattress and have a huge free space in your room.

Futons are also usually cheaper than Western beds; it is a pity that in Brazil it is the opposite, and a futon can cost much more than a bed. We are talking about real futons and not the mats we find in Brazil.

In addition to saving space and money, using a futon is much more hygienic than a Western bed. It is easier to clean, carry, move, and use. There are quality futons that are much more comfortable than a Western bed.

The Japanese also often simply join tatami from single beds to form a giant comfortable bed that can be larger than a King bed. Nights can be warmer when using a tatami.

The futon also helps with your health; it forces people to sleep in a correct position, helps with spinal correction, joints, head, back, and shoulders. It can help reduce your pain and stress.

And you? What is your experience? Do you want to try it? I personally find it quite comfortable.

Where to buy a futon?

Unfortunately, futons in the West are confused with simple cushions, or sometimes are a bit different from those in Japan. The best option is to import these Japanese mats from some website.

To buy a futon, you can consider the following options:

1. Specialized furniture stores: Check furniture stores that offer a variety of bed and mattress options, including futons. Some stores may have a specific section for Japanese furniture or traditional futons.
2. Home goods stores: Large home goods stores, such as IKEA, may have futons available in their mattress or bedroom furniture section.
3. Online shopping: There are various online stores that sell futons, offering a wide variety of styles and sizes. Some examples of online stores include Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart, and Overstock.
4. Specialized Japanese product stores: If you are looking for a traditional Japanese futon, it may be interesting to look for stores specializing in Japanese products or Oriental furniture stores.