Why your Japanese futon needs to breathe
There’s a whole lot happening to your futon while you’re blissfully unaware.
You climb into bed, get cosy and drift off … and for the next several hours, your shikibuton is quietly doing its job:
Supporting you. Keeping you comfortable. And absorbing some of the heat and moisture your body naturally produces while you sleep.
So what happens when you get up?
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There’s something about September that makes us want to start afresh.
New notebooks, or rather tablets these days. Freshly sharpened pencils, or stylus tools perhaps. Fresh shoes. New timetables. Even if you haven’t been near a classroom for decades, September has a way of bringing back that “back-to-school” nostalgia.
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There is always a special moment when a new futon arrives at your door. After travelling all the way from Japan, your futon is ready to begin its journey in your home. To ensure it performs at its best from day one, it’s important to unpack and prepare it correctly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple process of unpacking your futon and hanging it to allow the natural cotton filling to fully expand before use.
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We spend nearly one-third of our lives asleep. Sleep isn’t just “switching off”, it’s biological theatre: hormones rise and fall, the brain reorganises itself, memories consolidate, and the body repairs. And along the way? In and around the topic of sleep there are some wonderfully strange things that happen.
Let’s explore.
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As Japan enters 2026, we shed the Snake’s quiet, introspective energy and step into the dynamic rhythm of the Horse. The Year of the Horse is traditionally associated with momentum, ambition, and forward progress, making it an ideal time to act on long-held goals in work, relationships, and personal growth. At the same time, the Horse reminds us of balance: move with intention, not haste, or risk burning out before the year is done. Rest becomes a key component for keeping up one’s stamina this year.
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January is a wonderful time to explore Kochi prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku island. With its relatively mild winter climate, early-blooming camellia flowers (tsubaki), and bustling local markets, the region offers a unique mix of natural beauty, culture, history and seasonal flavors.
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Sometimes, a standard futon size doesn’t quite fit your space or sleeping style. Whether you have a unique bed frame, a built-in sleeping nook, a boat, camper van or simply prefer a specific dimension, we’re happy to create a custom futon just for you.
Here’s how to get started and what to keep in mind when ordering.
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Here in Europe and the UK, we often celebrate October with harvest festivals, cozy nights in, fires and candles, and the glowing Hunter’s Moon. While our traditions are somewhat different, they share a common theme: slowing down, appreciating nature, and finding comfort in the rhythm of the seasons.
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Tosa-Yamada is also the home of a historic sake brewery with over 150 years of continuous operation.
Nestled in the northern edge of the Kacho Plain, along the Monobe River basin, is the historic brewery that has been part of Tosa-Yamada’s landscape since 1873. The region is rich in history, with Paleolithic ruins and geological landmarks like the stunning Ryugado Cave and Hokigamine Forest Park. Blessed with bright skies and verdant mountains, it’s an ideal setting for brewing sake.
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Geography and culture
Tucked away in the mountainous interior of Shikoku Island lies a small but significant town—Tosa-Yamada, in Kami City, Kochi Prefecture. This is where tradition, nature, and craftsmanship converge. Understanding the geography and cultural fabric of this area offers deep insight into the soul of the community here.
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