At times we are compensated for the links you click at no cost to you. Learn more about why you should trust our reviews and view our disclosure page.
Want to try out a traditional bed coming straight from the Japanese culture? Maybe you’re staying in Japan, or just want to experiment with a futon mattress in your home. Are Japanese futons comfortable? Let’s see whether they’re the right choice for you and whether it’s possible to sleep on one as your primary bed.
Are Japanese Futons Comfortable to Sleep On?
A Japanese futon mattress is generally a comfortable sleeping surface unless you’re used to/insist on soft beds. They can even help alleviate back pain.
Since the Japanese slept on futons for centuries, we don’t have any firm ground for claiming that futons aren’t comfortable because if comfort was a problem, they would have fixed the design long ago.
But when we talk about the comfort expectations of a modern person, it can be tricky. It’s likely going to be hard to lie on, let alone sleep on a surface firmer than anything you’ve ever experienced.
That said, I have to say that Japanese futons can be uncomfortable for some individuals, especially if they’re on the heavier side.
That’s as far as sleeping goes.
On the other hand, Japanese futons aren’t comfortable for getting in and out if you’re pregnant or have hip/knee issues because they are literally on the floor and some people tend to have trouble getting in a squatting position and rising from it.
Futon mattresses are typically comfortable for:
- lightweight people
- back sleepers
- stomach sleepers
- those who prefer a firm sleeping surface
Futon mattresses can be uncomfortable for:
- some side sleepers
- heavy people
- pregnant women
- elderly
- people with joint problems (hips, knees)
Benefits of Sleeping on a Japanese Futon
So, why would you want to sleep on a Japanese futon mattress?
There are at least six reasons:
- Back pain relief
- No risk of falling
- Saves space
- No noise
- Natural materials
- Breathable and cooling
Back pain relief
Some background first.
There’s a substantial number of people who claim that their back pain disappeared once they started putting their mattress on the floor, or outright sleeping directly on the floor (I hope they at least had a soft comforter underneath).
Apart from that, there’s a good reason why firm innerspring mattresses were the most popular type of bed until waterbeds showed up and wreaked havoc in the industry.
And the reason?
All physicians at the time claimed that a firm surface is the best for the back — for alignment, for pain prevention, and for overall health. There’s still plenty of research and many physicians who would back it up.
A typical futon is thinner than regular mattresses, and it’s placed on the floor (or a tatami mat). Both factors make futons firmer than almost any Western-style mattress and thus make them worth a try if you’re looking to get your back properly aligned and relieve some of that back pain.
No risk of falling
People who excessively roll over in sleep (or co-sleep with a child who does) have a good reason to worry about falling off the bed. When you’re already sleeping on the floor, the risk of falling and injuring yourself is virtually nonexistent.
Saves space
Every Japanese futon mattress is made so it can be easily folded and stored away. This makes futons great space savers. Even if you don’t have storage space for your folded futon mattress, just the fact that you can fold it creates extra space that can be used for other things during the day.
No noise
Bed frames and some mattress types (especially innerspring mattresses) can get noisy.
Sometimes it’s the combination of a bed platform and mattress that causes issues. Every time you turn, get in, or out, they make a noise. Futons are totally silent since there’s no structure inside them or under them that would make any noise.
If complete silence is your priority, futons should be your choice.
Natural materials
Most futon mattresses are filled with cotton and they may also contain silk or other natural materials.
I’m not just talking in buzzwords. It is a good idea to have a natural mattress that is free of fiberglass, VOCS or any chemical fire retardants.
Our toxic mattress symptoms article discusses them in depth, together with the risks they pose.
Breathable and cooling
The materials I mentioned above have two important properties. They are breathable, which means that the air circulates through them, and cooling, which means that your body temperature gets dispersed easily due to breathability. Finally, you’ll sleep cooler just by placing the mattress on the floor, since that’s where the cooler air lingers, while hot air rises up.
Here I do have to mention that although the material will keep you cool, being on the floor doesn’t allow full breathability, which creates a moisture problem that I’ll discuss below.
Downsides of Sleeping on a Japanese Futon
Even though I personally like futons, I have to disclose the downsides.
These are some real problems you can encounter with traditional Japanese futon mattresses.
- Pests
- Allergies
- Might not be comfortable
- You’ll feel colder
- Harder to take care of
Pests
Not all apartments have this problem, but if you live in an area where insects and other pests are abundant, you could find yourself sharing the bed with ants, spiders, mice, and a host of other nightly crawlers.
Allergies
Natural materials are great and hypoallergenic, but there’s another danger with futons. Since you’ll be keeping your face close to the floor, you’ll be inhaling a lot of floor dust and dirt.
You need to keep your floors pristine, especially in the bedroom.
Might not be comfortable
I’ve already mentioned some groups of people who are more likely to find futons uncomfortable.
It’s not all about the firmness level. You might have trouble adjusting to a new bed or the different type of support it offers. It may not be easy to get used to sleeping on a futon and you might actually hate it.
You’ll feel colder
Cooler sleep is generally advisable and is what many sleepers are seeking. But what about the winter months? What about people with drafty doors who live in areas with strong winds? They run the risk of getting too cold. Cold winters and floors are not really a good combination.
Finally, some snowflakes among you might find it too cold on the floor anyway, regardless of the season and weather.
Harder to take care of
Now’s the time to talk about the moisture issue I mentioned above.
Given that they lie on floors, the entire bottom part of the mattress is blocked from air circulation. This means it collects moisture from your body and from the air. If you don’t hang it outside or in a well-ventilated area almost daily, it can develop a musty smell and mold issues. This is something you don’t have to worry about with regular mattresses. Futons require frequent cleaning and drying and this is too much work for some people.
Ways to Make Your Japanese Futon More Comfortable
Here are seven ideas on how to increase your comfort when sleeping on a Japanese futon bed:
- Add a mattress topper
- Put a tatami mat underneath
- Elevate with bed slats
- Stack futon mattresses on top of each other
- Elevate with a Japanese bed frame
- Soften with layers of comforters
- Choose a thicker futon mattress
Add a mattress topper
If you’re really uncomfortable, you can place a mattress topper over the futon bed. I’d skip the memory foam ones since those aren’t made of natural materials. It would kind of defeat the purpose if you covered a cotton mattress with a memory foam topper.
Put a tatami mat underneath
Tatami mats are traditionally used under futon beds. The Japanese have entire floors covered with tatami mats. These rush-made mats are firm but can provide some extra comfort and support when placed under a mattress. They also add some breathing room, so your futon won’t be getting so moist.
Elevate with bed slats
Some issues could be fixed with bed slats, such as moisture/increased breathability and elevation. They won’t lift it up too much, but it could be worth a try.
Stack futon mattresses on top of each other
In Japanese inns, if you feel like yours is a too-thin mattress, you can ask for more futons to stack them up and make a softer bed for yourself. They might be doing it in some homes, as well.
Three thin futon mattresses together are still not quite as thick as a normal Western mattress, so if you have some extra futons lying around, stack them up!
Elevate with a Japanese bed frame
Japanese bed frames are specifically made to be used with futon mattresses. They are low to the floor and have a flat platform where you can keep the mattress. It’s a bit more hygienic but at the cost of saving space.
Soften with layers of comforters
If you have some cozy comforters, you can try to put them on top of your futon to make it softer. They will create a plush feel on the surface, but might not offer as much cushioning as you may need. It really depends on your body and preferences.
Choose a thicker futon mattress
This is something you should know before investing in a futon mattress. You can choose between a thinner and a thicker futon floor mattress. Thick ones have more fill and they tend to be a better choice for those who need a softer bed.
FAQs
You surely can. The main purpose of traditional Japanese futons is to be used every night as a bed. They are normally placed on tatami mats, a type of floor covering that’s a couple of inches thick. They may not be the best choice for everyone, but many people love their futon mattresses!
It is, especially if you have a tall and firm pillow that can support your head and prevent your shoulder from getting too much pressure. Also, in case that’s not enough, you could stack two-three futons on top of each other (for example, if you’re sleeping in an inn, you can ask for an extra mattress). Other than that, be careful when buying a traditional Japanese futon because there are thicker and thinner versions. The thicker ones would be good for side sleepers, although some side sleepers say that they don’t have a problem on any futon in any sleeping position.
Conclusion
Futons can either be very comfortable or horrible for sleep, depending on your body type and preferences.
If you aren’t heavy or pregnant, and you don’t have joint issues, you should be good on a futon bed. Even some side sleepers enjoy a futon bed, provided they have a firm pillow and a thick futon mattress.
If you’re among those who have trouble finding a futon comfortable, you could do a few things to make it more so — from adding a tatami mat below to covering the futon with a topper, comforter, or even other futon mattresses.
After all, futons allow for better spine alignment and relieve back pain, so they are worth a try.
Next step: Read our guide to the best queen futons. We tested out all of the top brands and listed the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself which one is ideal for your needs.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
- Where to buy Saatva mattress (online and offline) - April 26, 2025
- Latex vs memory foam mattress (which is better?) - March 12, 2025
- Bed in a box vs traditional mattress (which is better?) - February 17, 2025
Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?