Where to start, researching japanese style beds.

[chfair]

As the title suggests I am interested in Japanese bedding options but am finding it rather difficult to find good information on where to start on actually finding places and styles to buy here in the United States. I thought that I would throw out a question here to a group of people who are knowledgeable in many things and even helped me to plan my trip to Japan several years ago.

A bit of background if it helps, I tend to have lower back pain here and there and have found that there really is not a good mattress for me personally. I now sleep on the floor next to a hand made extra firm king size bed that worked for me for about a year and a half, The floor is actually pretty comfortable for me as I have slept on it on and off for years now, however now that I am married this is not a long term solution. I have started researching Japanese beds and found a few sources in the US for them but i have no idea on quality, also I am 6'6" and that is right at the limit of the largest ones I have found so far. I know while I was in Japan I stayed at many places that had traditional beds that were long enough for someone my height (only one place i stayed had smaller beds).

So where I have found myself is reading the following website and looking at some of the linked merchants. http://myjapanesebed.com/ (myjapanesebed.com). This I think is an ok starting point but am hoping for links to other forums or resources or even feedback from other B&B members that use Japanese style beds.

Thanks for any info or suggestions. I know this is pretty far off topic for general B&B stuff but thought I would see if I could find some leads.

Chris

 

[Legion]

I slept on a futon mattress on the floor for a couple of years. It is quite good if you have limited space, as you can fold or roll the bed out of the way and use that section of floor during the day. Just be sure to let the bed air well, or you can get rising damp come up through the floor in winter and mould may grow on the underside of the mattress.

Also, take the mattress outdoors a couple of times a year and beat the heck out of it. You would be amazed how much dust a mattress collects.

 

[Kentos]

I slept on one for several years growing up in Japan. I must admit it was very comfortable, but I was under 18 years old so anything would be comfortable

For the most part you are sleeping on a firm foam cushion, topped with a densely stuffed blanket thing. I would think a western memory foam mattress might be a reasonable facimile. If there is a Japanese ethnic store where you are they may import in the bedding. I believe Marukai Stores here in Hawaii have a few of them. Sadly they are a California company with no outlets in Free America where you are Maybe send them an email to see if they have what you are looking for.

 

[chfair]

Thanks for the feedback. Had not heard of Marukai before, there may be some options in Dallas for this sort of thing but not in my town (Dallas is not terribly far though). I will continue to look and am always open to more advice.

Chris

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

If you can find a tatami mat you could pick up a platform bed then place the tatami on top of it then the futon bedding. This makes it a hybrid western/Japanese bed but will still be firm. The tatami allows air to go under the futon and also gives some cushion it (but very minimal, more like placing the futon on a carpeted floor versus a wood floor.) Tatami is woven straw and about two inches thick.

 

[professorchaos]

Dunno but I'll be watching this thread. I happily slept on a futon for many, many years.

 

[StillShaving]

Not directly answering your question, but you might also want to investigate latex/urethane foam mattresses as well, to see if that might meet your needs. Mine is about 8 years old and is still feels like new. The reason I mention this is because the mattress is quite firm and doesn't sag, in that regard it is almost like sleeping on the floor but with some softness. Ultimately I found the bed too hard/firm and added a memory foam topper, to give some relief while also getting good support.

But now that you are married maybe you need one of those sleep number beds where you can crank it up to 11 while she keeps it down low. I have no experience with those beds, but a couple of co-workers like theirs.

 

[Legion]

Some mornings just being able to roll off the bed and crawl where you need to go can be nice...

 

[tac006]

You might also want to check out sobakawa pillows. When I was in Japan, I slept on these and loved them. I recently purchased one to help with neck and upper back pain, but surprisingly the pillow has helped with my lower back stiffness as well. I wouldn't quite say I have intense pain, just more of a discomfort, but this pillow has definitely helped. I think it has something to do with neck/spine alignment while sleeping.

 

[ouch]

You might also want to check out sobakawa pillows.

I have four or five of them of various sizes, but apparently not enough for my wife to cough one up. They're great.

 

[chfair]

I think we are going to pull the trigger on a Tuft and Needle shikibuton in queen size. It has some draw backs but I will say so far their customer service has been exceptional. Already asked what the turn around is and they are a bit behind so they think 3 weeks.

There are a number of other part I would like to get, tatami mats are something I would love to have if nothing other than the look. They are pretty expensive and they are hard to find in lengths long enough for the bed we will be getting.

I definitely plan to get a few pillows probably at the same time just need to find a good source for them.

I will keep a lookout on this thread and update any good finds I come across in my research.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[chfair]

Got the shikibuton in the mail yesterday and the above is a picture pretty soon after taking it out of the vacuum sealed bag it was shipped in.

It is pretty comfortable, a step up from a mattress on the ground for sure. The wife likes it better also so that is a plus.