We’ve already explained how many of our customers have reported relief from aches and pains especially in the neck and back. I personally had a recent experience that really proved to me how important my futon is! I went travelling for 2 weeks and was waking up every morning with a sore neck and feeling like I slept poorly. Often I was hitting the snooze button. The first night back home and sleeping on my futon, my neck pain was gone and I felt rested again! And, I didn’t hit the snooze button!

Better sleep posture

Yes, you read that correctly. Sleep posture. When you sleep on a shikibuton, the firmness of the cotton creates an even, flat surface for supportive sleeping. The cotton provides comfort without overly conforming to the body’s contours.

Laying on a soft, plush Western mattress, often the cushioning materials conform to the body causing poor alignment over the night. Spines, necks and hips can be in pain when you wake up as the poor positioning can take a toll on muscles and joints. Since we spend approximately one third of our lives sleeping that can really add up over time.

While it may take some time to adjust to sleeping on a shikibuton initially, the pay offs of a more supportive sleep surface are: experiencing deeper sleep and feeling more rested when waking up without the usual aches and pains.

Hygienic sleep option

Caring for a shikibuton might seem like an extra chore, but it becomes part of a routine quickly. There is a unique care routine for your futon but it’s much easier than caring for a bulky Western mattress.

A bulky Western mattress is nearly impossible to thoroughly clean. Even if you hoover, spot clean and change your sheets regularly, it’s hard to penetrate deeper to reach what’s lurking within. As these mattresses age, they get dirtier and the chance of mould and mildew growing increases.   

Because shikibuton have only all-natural cotton filling, the only real issue is the potential of a build up of moisture over time. By sunning your futon and changing the protective cover regularly, this can be avoided and ensure the longevity of your futon.

All sleeping surfaces collect moisture, sweat, dirt and dust mites – it is inevitable. But the bulkiness of a thicker typical Western mattress means it’s impossible to thoroughly clean them, unlike the Japanese sleep system.

Excellent for space saving

Many traditional Japanese homes are a lot smaller than Western homes so during the day, the room where one sleeps will also be used for eating, lounging, entertaining and homework, as an example. These rooms are typically lined with tatami and they create the perfect multipurpose flooring for this space.

Japanese shikibuton are perfectly suited to this space, as they are mobile, light weight and do not require a heavy, bulky bed frame. Futons are traditionally used directly on top of the tatami floor or even on occasional tatami mats. The tatami underlay further helps to purify air and absorb moisture. During the day, the shikibuton and kakebuton can be stored away in a cupboard or put outside for airing and sunning, as you wish.