Are Japanese futons very comfortable?

Question

I've always been fascinated with them, and I've always heard they're healthier, but I can never fall asleep on my back. When I've tried sleeping on the floor before, no matter what padding I'd used, I could never stay comfortable.

Are actual Japanese futons, with or without a mattress-like pad, very comfortable?

Is there anything I should know about authentic and legitimate Japanese futons, or about getting a real one, not a Western knock-off?

Answer 1

As someone already pointed out, it all comes down to the individual.



For me futons are awesome and have given me my best nights sleep ever. I didn't even have tatami flooring, or even or of those mats to go under the futon or anything else to make it softer. I am that hardcore.



I'll admit it would have been cold in winter that way but I put an electric blanket between me and the futon, so it was all good.



As others said....mattress like pad?? Can you link to a photo or something



Things you should know.....they absorb moisture from the air and so get mouldy easily, even when hanging them out in the sun regularly (which you should do.....also, you should wack it with a futon-wacker thing -sorry, don't know the correct word, maybe someone can help me out- just to wack the dust out...don't wack it too hard though or you'll mess up the stuffing). If you get mould in it, your pretty much have to toss it for health reasons (I have seen things to get the mould out, but everyone told me that getting a new one was safer). It helps to fold them up and put them away each day I noticed (which you're supposed to do any way, but I'm lazy)

Answer 2

There's no standard answer for this. It will vary from person to person. Even many Japanese no longer sleep on the floor.

I know one couple here who sleep on a Japanese style futon.

There's many different kinds of futons. Some they leave on the floor. My friend in Tokyo has one he folds up

and puts away after he gets up in the morning. Many people do this because of space.

Most of those sold in the US are probably western knock-offs. You'd probably have to go to a Asian owned store to get a real one.

Answer 3

I like a good futon, but if it's on the floor, I get chills and my bones get stiff. I prefer it on a raised platform.



You can definitely sleep on your side on a futon.



Take about five wool blankets, fold them in half to approximate the futon size, and try sleeping on that for a week. You should have a lot of your answers about "comfortable" then. Basically, a good futon is cotton or wool batting in a fabric bag.

Answer 4

Yes, they are quite comfortable. And with the flat floor beneath you you get solid and even back support. It's unclear what you mean by "mattress-like pad"...without the part under you, you're just sleeping directly on the floor.

Answer 5

Beds are more confortable.

The advantage of futon is that you can fold it.

Answer 6

Yes, it's comfortable.

Answer 7

''Futon'' is Japanese for ''You're welcome here, but not for very long.''