Best Japanese Floor Mattress: Tatami and Futon

While considering the benefits of a Japanese floor mattress, you should be aware that those used in the USA are generally quite different from the traditional Japanese futon floor mattress. Most American futons are thin mattresses supported on an adjustable frame. The Japanese futons are thin mats, three or four inches thick, which are placed on the floor, usually with only a tatami (straw mat) beneath them. The traditional style of Japanese futon is formally known in Japan as a shikibuton. Here, I shall present our 7 best Japanese floor mattresses along with a buyer’s guide to futons and some tips on how to choose the best futon for your needs.

Why sleep on a traditional Japanese floor mattress? What are their advantages over a regular type of mattress? The first advantage is they take up little space. They are ideal for small accommodations such as bedsit apartments. If desired, you can fold them up and store them during the day. More importantly, a traditional futon is healthy for your spine and joints. That’s because the Japanese futon is generally firmer than an American one.

If you suffer from back pains then you will likely find that placing a memory foam topper on the futon will help relieve the pain. That’s because the memory foam changes shape to the contours of your body, and tends to provide even support to your shoulders, spine, lower back, and buttocks. It also helps maintain them in their natural position while you sleep.

It is wrong to believe that a softer mattress is good for your back. The opposite is true. The firmer your sleeping surface the better it is for your back. Many people find relief from back pain after moving from a traditional mattress on a bed to a Japanese futon on the floor or a tatami mat. If you sleep on your side you can use a topper such as in our #4 (Emoor futon set.) The futon and topper (and tatami if you use one) can be rolled or folded up for storage until the evening. They frequently come without a cover for easy washing, but there are covers available. 

Top 7 Japanese Floor Mattresses (Futons)

Here are our top 7 best Japanese floor mattresses or futons. A Shiki futon is the same as a shikibuton, namely a folding Japanese futon. They are two terms for the same thing.

 * Size reviewed in bold. Sizes not listed may be available. Also, weight relates to the size reviewed and should be used as a guide only.

* CHANGE WEIGHT OF #4

Table of Contents

1. FULI Shiki Futon: Most Authentic Japanese Futon

The FULI shikibuton otherwise referred to as a Shiki futon, is another genuine Japanese-made futon. You have a choice of sizes for individuals or couples. This Twin size Shiki futon is soft and can be rolled up for storage during the day or transportation. Weighing only 8 lb, the Twin size can easily be carried. 

The cover cannot be removed and it is 100% cotton that allows sweat to dry rapidly from the pad. The filling is a mixture of polyester and polyurethane foam. It is a very comfortable futon to lie on and the combination of firmness and cushioning supports the small of your back to help prevent back pain. The FULI Shiki futon is the closest to the traditional Japanese futon of those I have tested. The dimensions of the Twin size is 75” x 39” x 2.5” while the King size is 79” x 75”

Also available are the Twin-XL, Full size, Full-XL, Queen, and the King. The dimensions range from the Twin at 75” x 39” x 2.5” and weight 11 lb to the King at 75” x 79” and 17 lb weight. Each is nominally 2.5” thick. 

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2. D&D Futon Furniture: Best Western-style Futon

This futon, manufactured by D&D Futon Furniture, is a Western take on the traditional Japanese futon in that it is larger all round. I tested the Queen size – the only size available. Its dimensions are 60″ wide x 80″ long and 3″ thick and are colored black. This is a roll-up mattress that is easily rolled for compact storage (comes with tapes attached to secure rolled-up futon) and easily rolls out again. The cover is a cotton fabric and is filled with 90% cotton batting, 5% polyester, and 5% of resilient foam that adds to its comfort. The D&D futon can also be used as an exercise or yoga mat, or for meditation.

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3. D&D Futon Furniture Gray Shikibuton Full Size Futon: Best Futon for Back and Side Sleepers

This is a traditional Japanese shikibuton, or Shiki futon, which is made in America. It has a white cotton filling, plus fiber, and resilient foam, and has a zippered washable polyester cover. The cover can be removed for washing but the entire futon should not be washed. It can be hung on a line outdoors and hit with a stick such as a broom handle. This will get rid of most of the dust that gets into almost any type of mattress.

It can be rolled up or folded into 3 for storage, making this futon into a shikibuton (foldable futon). Its 3-inch thickness makes it ideal for sleeping on a floor, though I recommend it is placed on a carpet or tatami mat for better comfort. You can also use it on a metal or wooden futon frame. It is so portable that you can take it with you on a picnic or use it for exercise, yoga, and even for the kids to play on. It’s an ideal bed for a dorm. Unfortunately, the D&D Futon Furniture grey shikibuton is available in the Full size (54” x 80” and 3” thick), and Queen size (60” x 80”x3”) only, and only in a dark gray color.

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4. EMOOR Original CLASSE Series, 3 Piece Japanese Shiki Futon Set: Best Japanese Futon

The EMOOR futon set is a genuine Full-size Japanese Shiki futon (shikibuton) set made in Japan. It comes in three pieces: the futon, a Full size comforter, and a pillow. The Full size futon consists of a 79” x 55” firm pad that supports your back with a quilted filling top and bottom for comfort. It can be folded into three for easy storage. The comforter keeps you warm and the pillow provides excellent support for your head. Each piece is fitted with a cotton outer fabric. The comforter is 83 x 75 inches and the pillow 25 x 17 inches. This Japanese floor mattress is ideal for small living accommodations such as an apartment, dorm room, trailer, temporary accommodation for a guest. The futon itself is 11lb in weight.

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5. Luxton Home Japanese Shiki Futon with Sheet: Best Futon for Back Pain

The Luxton Home Shiki futon (also known as a shikibuton) is a traditional Japanese futon available in 3 sizes, namely Twin-long (38” wide by x 83” long), Full-long (55” x 83”), and Queen-long (63” x 83”). They are all 2.5” thick and are available with or without a sheet to go with them. The twin long is available with optional extra padding. This is a good choice if you have back pain. Sleeping on your back on this futon will help reduce your pain.

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6. Colorful Mart Japanese Futon: Best for Color Choice

The Colorful Mart futon is available in Twin, Full, Queen, and King sizes and in a selection of colors: blue, pinkish-red, purple, and gray. I tested the Full size at 39.4″ x 78.7″ x 3″. Metric dimensions: 100 cm x 200 cm x 8 cm. The filling is in three layers, so it is important to lay the futon down the correct side up. These layers are memory foam on top, then a layer of resilient Viscolatex foam, and a bottom layer of high-density support foam all packed into a removable Jacquard washable cover. It is very comfortable to lie on, particularly if you sleep on your back. It is also more comfortable for side sleepers than most other futons, although it tends to be a bit thinner than its photograph.

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7. FULI Japanese Traditional Igusa (Rush Grass) Tatami Mattress

A tatami is traditionally manufactured using woven rush grass (Igusa.) They are used by the Japanese as mattresses or rugs. Tatamis are highly durable and last very well. They are similar to mats and are traditionally used as mattresses or rugs. They are firm and supportive and traditional Japanese Mattresses. They are also useful for camping where they can insulate you from the cold of the ground. 

The rush grass is believed to help regulate the level of humidity in the room and it has a fresh, natural grassy smell. The Japanese use tatamis for sleeping and sitting on, and also as a base for a futon or a shikibuton. Like the futon, this type of tatami folds into three for easy carrying and sitting on. They are long-lasting and age well. Check out a tatami video here for more information on what they are made from and how they are used.

However you want to use your tatami – for sleeping or for sitting on, or as a base for your futon or shikibuton – the Fuli Japanese traditional tatami mattress is an ideal choice. You can also use traditional pillows (soba Gaara makura which translates as ‘buckwheat pillow’.) Many dislike the feeling of resting their head on buckwheat – it is spikier and noisier than a foam pillow, but many seem to like it. Even more, however, would prefer a foam pillow. Check out the buckwheat pillows made in the USA here: a Premium Pine Tales Pillow (Sobakawa) and a Basic Pine Tales Pillow (Sobakawa) here. Both are 14” x 20”.

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Buyer’s Guide to Japanese Floor Mattresses, Futons, and Tatamis

It should be stressed here that this buyer’s guide relates to Japanese futons, otherwise known as shikibutons. American-style futons tend to take the form of sofa beds which can be used for sitting or sleeping. Japanese floor mattresses (AKA Shiki futons or shikibutons, are used on the floor, on a tatami mat, or on a futon frame designed to support a foldable or rollable futon. So let’s get on with the guide:

Size Matters: You are advised to purchase a genuine Japanese futon, also known as a Shiki futon or shikibuton, in a size you need. Do not go for anything larger just to have extra sleeping space. Japanese futons are intended to be portable, so that they may be easily placed where needed and removed during the day should that be necessary. The larger futons weigh more than smaller equivalents. For example, the Fuli Shiki futon comes in 6 sizes: the Twin size weighs in at 8 lb, but the King size weighs 17 lb. Between these are the Twin-XL, Full, Full-XL, and Queen.

It should be stressed here that futons are not recommended for stomach sleepers, and that they may be uncomfortable for some side sleepers. The latter should choose the thickest futon they can find (in our case the 4” thick Luxton or Colorful Mart futon) although many side sleepers prefer a traditional Japanese futon to a regular bed. 

Frequency of use: Much depends on how frequently your futon, or Japanese floor mattress, will be used. Will it be your regular bed, in use every night, or will it be for occasional use such as for guests, or therapeutic use? For example, many people with back pain find that sleeping on a shikibuton for a few nights helps reduce the pain.

Roll-up or Fold: The choice between a roll-up futon and a folding one is fairly easy to make. Shikibutons for occasional use should be easily folded or rolled up to make them easier to pick up and store. Some prefer the roll-up option because some bi- or tri-fold futons can feel uncomfortable after prolonged use, as a gap between each of the parts can develop with prolonged use – though this is probably not common enough for it to be a serious issue. Some tri-fold shikibutons can be used as a chair with one end section as the back and the other two folded on each other as the seat.

The Cover: A cotton coveris standard for genuine Japanese floor mattresses, and one of its benefits is that sweat is more easily naturally evaporated from it.Synthetic fibers tend to hold on to moisture. Some shikibutons come with a removable cover, although if not they are generally available to purchase. For example, you can buy a cover for the Fuli Shiki Futon (our #1) from Amazon.

The Futon Filling: Cotton is usedas the filling of a traditional Japanese futon (Shikibuton or Shiki futon.) However, to pander to western tastes they can also be filled with foam (#1), a mix of cotton and foam, mainly cotton (#2 & #3), 100% polyester foam (#4 & #5), or memory foam on top and other foams below it (#6). Cotton may be the most comfortable to some, although the cotton + foam and the foam-filled futons are more suited to western tastes.

Moisture Evaporation: Your body can lose around a pint of moisture in a night. This is emitted as sweat, some of which evaporates off your head and neck into the toom, and the rest is absorbed by the shikibuton (Japanese futon.) Cotton is good for helping evaporate this moisture, but you will need to be able to clean the cover regularly. It also helps to lay out your futon on a tatami mat for more air circulation.

Flipping and Rotating: You may be able to flip and/or rotate your futon according to its type. Those with multiple fillings may only be able to be rotated. Check your futon to establish this. If there is only one type of filling, such as with our #4 and #5 it can be rotated and flipped.

Tatami Mat: A tatami mat is an essential part of a futon. A futon can be laid on a carpet, but laying it on a tatami mat is far healthier. It is light and breathable, and usually about 2 inches thick. Due to cool air settling to the floor, using a tatami mat can keep you cool on hot days. If the temperature is particularly hot, you can forget the Shikibuton and sleep directly on the cool tatami if you prefer. It is also believed to be good for your spine.

Futon Storage: Futons should be folded away each day and aired in the sun regularly to prevent mold from developing and also to keep the futon free of dust mites.

The information above offers some details on the various terms used relating to Japanese floor mattresses. It also explains the pros and cons of some of the best Japanese futons on the market, along with a buyer’s guide to futons.

Best Japanese Floor Mattress (Shikibutons): Questions and Answers

Here are some questions Inside Bedroom has been asked regarding futons: