Before you left for work today, did you hang your bed out of the window to dry in the sun? That’s what millions of Japanese do each morning, if they sleep on a 布団 futon, the traditional fold-away bedding that’s been used for centuries. A Japanese futon is basically a soft sleeping mat, a separate foam mat that goes below that, and a thick blanket on top (there’s never any wood frame involved as in the U.S.). Futons are enormously convenient for living in small spaces because they can be folded up and put away in a closet during the day, which allows a room to fulfill two separate roles. Because the sleeping mats absorb sweat, they can become damp, which is why they’re hung from the balcony to dry and kill germs; there’s almost nothing nicer to sleep on than a Japanese futon that’s been hung and dried during the day. While traditional futons are nice, it can be a chore to put them away each morning and lay them out again at night, so many older Japanese end up switching to Western style beds, something my wife’s parents did recently. Even if they opt for conventional beds for themselves, most every household in Japan has a “guest” futon for use when unexpected visitors need to sleep over, which is great because it takes up almost no space when not in use. If you would like to own a futon but don’t have room in your office, why not consider the wacky Japanese Futon Mouse Pad we posted to the site, which is heated via USB!
A futon is a unique aspect of life in Japan.
