FAQs

Our products are made from cotton. You have two filling options: either natural, untreated, unbleached cotton of the highest quality (Grade A) from Mexico OR certified organic cotton from India. As the cotton is unbleached, with lighter patterns such as Plain White, you may see some natural marbling of the cotton or flower casings. With both cotton choices there are no added chemicals or pesticides. We highly recommend our Natural cotton as it is the most authentic. Our Organic cotton is more dense than our natural cotton and is a good choice for customers who have skin allergies and sensitivities, those who are more environmentally conscious and those who like a firmer sleep support. We add an extra .5 – 1.5kg of organic cotton to every shikibuton order, depending on the size. All of our cotton provide great support for sleeping and they are a healthy sleeping option.

All of our kakebuton are made from a high thread-count premium quality, 100% cotton, traditional pattern-printed material and 100% natural Grade A cotton filling or organic cotton filling.

All of our shikibuton are made with a high thread-count premium quality, 100% cotton, traditional pattern-printed outer material with a blended ~90% natural or organic cotton / ~10% man-made “cotton”. Why the 10% man-made material? Long experience has shown that a small percentage of this synthetic fibre, which is extremely springy, blended with the natural cotton helps to separate the natural cotton fibres which allows the cotton to “breathe” easier and shed moisture much more efficiently. This keeps the cotton healthy and prevents matting.

With any Shikibuton or Kakebuton purchase you will receive a vacuum wrap bag to store the product when you’re not using, if you choose, and two clips which you can use for airing. This is included in the price on the website as is the freight cost from Japan.

Please see our video.

We will exchange a futon/duvet if it is damaged in transit or defective in the manufacturing process. As all of our futon are hand-made and quality inspected before they are shipped, so this would be very unlikely. Any exchange would be for the exact same product (same size/pattern, etc.) that was initially ordered. Otherwise, we can not refund or exchange futon. As your futon is hand-made by true futon masters when the order is placed, and is shipped all the way from Japan, all sales are final once your order has shipped.

If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to clear up before ordering, please contact us. We look forward to the opportunity to address your concerns and give you any guidance you may need prior to ordering.

Below is a chart of our standard sizes, which differ from those in the UK or Europe*. If you do not see the size you need below, we can make a futon any size – this is a custom order and will incur an extra fee. You can contact us to enquire about your custom size futon today.

* Note: As the size designations of “single,” “semi-double,” etc. are not the same dimensions as those in the UK and Europe, please make sure you take special note of the dimensions to make sure they’re a good fit for you and you’re not surprised when your futon arrives. It might be helpful to use a tape measure and fold out a flat bed sheet to the dimensions of the futon you intend to buy. This will help you visualise the size much more accurately.

IMPORTANT: Especially when your futon first arrives it will likely be a little smaller than the dimensions shown above. During the vacuum-packing and shipping process your futon gets compressed and shrinks roughly as much as 10 cm (about 4 inches). However, after hanging and regular use, your futon will fairly quickly return to the original manufactured dimensions. Also, to correctly measure your futon, due to the construction of traditional futon, the sides tend to curve in at the centre, so you can only correctly measure it from the corners. Please view this brief video for more information.

To request a custom size order, please send us an email or use our contact form. Please specify the following:

-Do you require a shikibuton, kakebuton or a set (both)?

-What are the required dimensions for length and width? Our thickness is always the standard 12cm but this can also be customised. Some people think this will not be thick enough and by adding more thickness you are making the futon more comfortable. This is untrue. But depending on your size and weight, we might recommend making it thicker.

-Which pattern would you like?

-Do you want custom covers as well?

-Your full name, a mobile phone number and shipping address.

With all of the information, we can calculate your custom quote and send it to you via email. Please note our custom order can take up to 14 days to complete.

Important Note: All orders are subject to a 5 centimetre (about 2″) variance. Although your custom futon will be made exactly to the dimensions you specify, it has been our experience that the vacuum packing and shipping process causes some shrinkage. How much? It tends to vary. It is our experience that over time after hanging the futon and also through use, the fabric relaxes again and returns to the original manufactured size. That said, please allow for a 5 cm (about 2″) tolerance. We can help advise if you are not sure which dimensions you need, especially if you are planning to fit into a predetermined recessed area.

Once received and processed, orders will be made within 7 days. If you order Zabuton or Makura, it can be up to 14 days.

Note: Our workshop is closed Saturdays & Sundays.

The prices on our website include freight costs to UK and Europe, hanging clips and a resealable, vacuum plastic carrier bag.

NOTE: Orders delivered outside the UK are very likely to be subject to Import Duty Fees and/or VAT taxes. These charges vary based on each country and are very much out of our control. They tend to range between 21%-32% in the EU countries. Please check the website for the Customs Department in your country for more information. Our UK customers don’t usually get charged custom fees, however, as with any purchase made outside the UK or EU there is always a possibility you may have to pay customs charges. Again, this is out of our control – it is down to the customs officers in each country. We don’t make the rules and can not advise you.

North & South America, Australia, New Zealand, India, Middle East, Africa & Asia deliveries: Due to product licensing conflicts, we can not ship to these countries, however, please write to us for the contact details of our sister companies which do service these areas. The products come from the same workshop.

When you place your order, you will get a confirmation email and we will process the order and send it to the workshop. When you order is completed and then shipped, you will receive an email with your tracking number(s). You can use the provided tracking link to watch the movements of the parcel(s) from Japan to your door. We use EMS Japan Post as our shipper.

Last mile carriers differ by country in Europe. Please contact us for more information.

Please be proactive. Although this has been a very rare occurrence (and has actually only happened in Europe on very few occasions), if your shipment seems to be “stuck” in Customs and is taking more than about 4 days to be processed, please take action to contact them. It has been our experience that if Customs officials have any sort of question/confusion with your parcel, it seems that rather than contact you or us, they simply return it to sender (the workshop). Important: This is something that is beyond our control and to re-ship it again will be an additional charge. As the purchaser, you are the consignee and we are unable to act on your behalf in the collection process.

Your order will arrive after being compressed in the vacuum bag which did not let the item breathe. When you first open the parcel there will be a concentrated smell. This smell is the fresh cotton and earthy smell from the farm where it came from. If you are one of the people that does not like this smell, no worries, hang your futon out to air and it’ll be gone shortly.

You would use sheets or covers with your futon and duvet as you would with a Western style mattress or duvet. We have specially made covers that you can purchase with your futon or duvet, or you can use sheets you already have. If you want to show off your Kakebuton pattern, we have covers with mesh screens or openings that allow the pattern to show through.

With the proper care (see our videos) most futons typically last 5-7 years even with regular nightly use.

Care is very simple. If you’re using your futon nightly as the Japanese do – airing and sunning your futon outside is essential for it’s and your health! The UV rays and warmth from the natural sunlight kill those microscopic bed bugs, mould and mildew that tend to haunt Western style mattresses.

Your futon should be hung outside over a railing every month (in winter and sometimes more if you live in a damp environment) using the clips that are provided. In summer, you can hang it more regularly – like weekly for 2-4 hours. But this varies! We naturally lose moisture from our bodies while we sleep and some people lose more moisture than others. You always want your Shikibuton to be 100% dry through and through before using it or storing it.

To remove dust and to refresh the items, you can gently beat with a tennis racket, carpet beater or similar implement. No railing? No problem: you can use a laundry hanger, some high backed chairs – get creative, if necessary! Please view our video.

Traditionally futon are brought out at night and stowed away in the morning so the room can be used for other purposes – this is still a tradition in many Japanese homes. Our futon can quickly be rolled up or folded (Japanese fold them) and are light enough to be stored in a linen cupboard or closet.

For long-term storage you can use the vacuum pack that the futon was shipped in. NOTE: if you store your futon in the bag, please ensure it is completely dry through and through before sealing it up. Additionally, allow a few hours of hanging before use so the cotton filling can breathe and re-fluff before use. You want your guests to be comfortable and enthusiastic about their sleep so they too want to purchase a futon for their own home! Please view our video.

Our futons will be sent directly from our workshop in Kochi, Japan by EMS courier services after it has been made. To confirm, all you have to do is look at the shipping label when you parcel arrives.

Traditionally, futons are placed on a tatami floor. Tatami mats have a very slight sponginess to them, which provide a bit of support, but more importantly, create air flow around the futon which is essential. They also have antibacterial, deodorising and purifying qualities.

Tatami are made of Igusa rush grass. We offer a foldable type of Igusa rush tatami mat which is perfect because, unlike the other large, heavy tatami, these can be stored easily, if necessary. Alternatively, we can suggest getting a piece of padded underlay that is cut to fit the size of your futon. Or perhaps an extra duvet or blanket is enough for you.

Futon are very different to a Western mattress and therefore may require a bit of time to adjust. Shikibuton give better lower back and hip support that Western mattresses don’t provide especially after the padding starts sagging and dipping.

If you have a traditional Western style bed frame with far spaced wooden slat system that you intend to place your futon on top of, it is recommended to potentially adjust the spacing between the slats. Our shikibuton do not have any rigid padding like a Western style mattress. Or you may choose to put a piece of Masonite (or similar flat material) on top of the slats. Most hardware stores will be able to cut this to your specifications. You may have to play around to get it to your liking and comfort.

We do NOT recommend putting the shikibuton directly on a wooden or laminate floor without any barrier between. These types of floors tend to draw moisture which can lead to mould growth if you are not airing your shikibuton properly – i.e. so that all of the interior cotton is 100% dry before using or storing your item.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need more information or advice.

Sometimes our replies to your emails end up in the junk or SPAM folders. If you do not hear back from us within 24 hours, please check your junk / SPAM folders. Additionally, add our email address (orders@futonsfromjapan.co.uk ) to your contacts so you do not miss any of our correspondence.

In addition to our catalogue of items shown on our website, we can customise our items to create unique spaces. We also have access to a large variety of good quality, second hand Japanese kimono and haori. We can provide services in sourcing Japanese sundries like furniture and unique home items. Simply email us for more details: orders@futonsfromjapan.co.uk