Depends if you mean a real futon or a western futon. The real ones can be comfortable but they are also a bit of a pain to maintain and they are supposed to be used on tatami. You are supposed to hang them out on the balcony regularly and you're kinda fucked if it suddenly rains. The benefit of a normal bed/western futon is that you get airflow underneath which helps prevent mould. I've spent years sleeping on western beds, western futons, and traditional Japanese futons. Also, they don't save much space. I eventually bought a normal bed with storage space underneath. You might want to try asking r/japan . Answer from apeliott on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/nostupidquestions › how comfortable is a japanese futon in relation to a mattress?
r/NoStupidQuestions on Reddit: How comfortable is a Japanese futon in relation to a mattress?
October 23, 2022 -

Been thinking about getting one for a long time. Save space, probably money if I ever needed a replacement, have more room to do stuff.

The reason I’m getting a little more serious about the idea is that like two weeks ago I woke up with some intense neck pains. Like someone strangled me in my sleep. The only thing I could really notice is that there’s a hefty gap between the bed and nightstand. I’ve been known to have some mild sleep walking symptoms so my guess is I feel down, messed up my neck but put myself back into bed.

To be honest I’ve always been afraid of falling out of bed, no matter the height. When I was in high school I completely removed the frame and box from my bed, instead opting to sleep with the mattress on the floor. My parents thought I was insane but I never told them why I actually did it.

How does a Japanese futon feel? Is it hard to clean? What else do you know about them?

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Asian Life Style Design
asianlifestyledesign.com › 2010 › 08 › the-pros-and-cons-of-the-japanese-futon
The Pros and Cons of the Japanese Futon
August 17, 2010 - There are several advantages to the futon: Creates a multi-purpose space because it can be folded away and put in the closet. It’s safe. If you roll off the futon, there really isn’t much distance to “fall”, it’s more like you roll down to the floor. It’s super comfortable...
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › wirecutter › blog › japanese-futon
The Absolute Best Bed: A Japanese Futon | Wirecutter
February 19, 2024 - This might be because of the futon’s combination of cushion and firmness. While some people swear that sleeping directly on the floor or on other hard surfaces helps with back pain, experts say that mattresses rated medium firm are ideal for alleviating back pain. Although a typical Japanese futon setup does offer a fair amount of cushion, it’s harder than very soft pillow-top or memory-foam mattresses.
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Quora
quora.com › Are-Japanese-futons-comfortable
Are Japanese futons comfortable? - Quora
It will feel hard and your body might feel stiff in the morning. You will feel “too low” to the ground like if you suddenly switch from driving a van or truck to a regular car or a low-rider even haha.
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Fuli Japan
fulijapan.com › home › blogs › japanese futon setup tips: sleep better tonight
Japanese Futon Setup Tips: Sleep Better Tonight – Fuli Japan
November 18, 2024 - Made from high-quality Japanese ... and a soothing natural fragrance. These benefits combine to create a relaxing and comfortable sleeping environment. Expose your futon to sunlight regularly....
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Maxyoyo
maxyoyohome.com › blogs › news › how-to-make-your-japanese-futon-more-comfortable
How to Make Your Japanese Futon More Comfortable? – Maxyoyo
January 11, 2023 - Are Japanese Futons Comfortable? The answer to this question is yes, Japanese futons are very comfortable. They are designed with a thick, plush filling that accommodates a variety of sleeping positions.
Find elsewhere
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Tripadvisor
tripadvisor.com.au › asia › japan › kinki › kyoto prefecture › kyoto › kyoto travel forum
How comfortable are Japanese Style Rooms? - Kyoto Forum - Tripadvisor
Japanese beds in hotels tend to be firmer than the ones in the US. The US hotel pillows in particular are too soft and provide too little support to my liking. At a ryokan, the futons are going to be harder than the bed.
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Japan Truly
shop.japantruly.com › home › product review › product review
6 Best Japanese Futon Mattresses: A Guide To Choosing The Right Japane – Japan Truly
3 weeks ago - Japanese futon mattresses are perfect for those who want a versatile and affordable option. These thin, foldable mattresses provide a firm yet supportive sleep surface and can be easily stored away when not in use.
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Tom's Guide
tomsguide.com › mattresses
What are Japanese floor mattresses and are they healthy to sleep on? | Tom's Guide
March 21, 2025 - Made in Japan, this futon mattress ... for back sleepers. It’s also 100% breathable cotton, so hot sleepers and allergy sufferers should feel comfortable....
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Healthline
healthline.com › health › sleep › i-threw-out-my-bed-what-i-sleep-on-instead-gives-me-the-best-sleep-of-my-life
I Threw Out My Bed. My New Solution Is a Sleep Game-Changer
July 13, 2023 - Floor Sleeping with a Japanese Futon: The “Minimalist” Bed Shikibuton ... A shikibuton isn’t right for everyone. Before you make the switch to floor-sleeping, there are a few factors to consider.
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J-Life International
jlifeinternational.com › blogs › news › why-shikifutons-are-better
3 Reasons to Sleep on a Shikifuton | J-Life – J-Life International
January 16, 2024 - The firmness of a shikifuton mattress creates a flat, even sleeping surface with just enough give to comfort the curvature of our bodies without overly conforming to it. Many people who switch from a spring mattress to a Japanese futon mattress report an initial brief adjustment phase (as the body adjusts to engaging muscles that were previously allowed to relax during sleep), but then find they enjoy deeper sleep and wake up without many of the chronic aches and pains they used to experience in the mornings.
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Good Housekeeping
goodhousekeeping.com › home & outdoor products › what to buy › i was skeptical about sleeping on the floor — until i tried a japanese futon
A Japanese Futon Gave Me the Comfiest Sleep Ever, and Now I'm Hooked
April 1, 2025 - While the futon was pretty comfortable, it was a bit bigger (even rolled up) than I originally thought. Still, it fit in my decently small closet with just a bit of rearranging. Was sleeping on a Japanese futon more comfortable than expected?
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Amazon
amazon.com › Japanese-Mattress-Comfortable-Foldable-Sleeping › dp › B0DQ4X7MHX
Amazon.com: Japanese Futon Floor Mattress, 100% High Density Comfortable Foam, 3.5" Thicken Foldable Mattress Tatami Mat Sleeping Pad, Ideal for Comfort and Support, Kids Floor Lounger Pillow Bed Sofa (Twin) : Home & Kitchen
Buy Japanese Futon Floor Mattress, 100% High Density Comfortable Foam, 3.5" Thicken Foldable Mattress Tatami Mat Sleeping Pad, Ideal for Comfort and Support, Kids Floor Lounger Pillow Bed Sofa (Twin): Futon Mattresses - Amazon.com ✓ FREE ...
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Maxyoyo
maxyoyohome.com › blogs › news › are-japanese-futon-really-comfortable
Are Japanese Futon Really Comfortable? – Maxyoyo
January 9, 2023 - Their use in Japan has been in existence for hundreds of years, not just as a bedding, but also as a type of cushion. Japanese futon is often thought to be the most comfortable sleeping surface.
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Sleep Junkie
sleepjunkie.com › futon-vs-mattress
Futon Vs. Mattress: The Ultimate Comparison Guide
January 30, 2024 - They are ideally positioned on a tatami floor or mat to retain the heat and comfort of the sleep surface. Pillows (makura) are included in the arrangement for enhanced comfort, frequently filled with buckwheat, beans, or beads.
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Sleepopolis
sleepopolis.com › home › 5 best japanese futon mattresses: comprehensive review and buying guide
5 Best Japanese Futon Mattresses: Comprehensive Review and Buying Guide | Sleepopolis
April 24, 2025 - This elevates the futon from the bare ground and improves heat and moisture removal. Also, the tatami feels softer than the floor and could make your futon more comfortable. Note that Japanese futons are used for sleeping only because they’re ...
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Bio Sleep Concept
biosleepconcept.com › home › here’s why you can sleep on futon mattress every night
Here’s Why You Can Sleep on Futon Mattress Every Night
January 31, 2023 - Sleep the Japanese Way: How to Set Up a Shikibuton for Comfort · Why Choose a Cotton Mattress Futon If Comfort Is Your Top Priority?