Top 5 best Japanese futon mattresses 2023

A Japanese futon (or a shikibuton / shiki futon) is a quilted cushion that is often 3-4 inch thick.

The Japanese put it on a grass woven mat (called tatami mat) and sleep on the futon mattress.

You may find this too hard to sleep on if you’re used to soft and sink-in mattresses.

But it is good for your spinal alignment, which helps you avoid having back pains.

And trust me, once you get used to it, you will love sleeping on a Japanese mattress – just like me .

Benefits of sleeping on the floor (or just a hard surface)

Sleeping on a hard surface is known for better sleeping posture that allows your spine to stay in its natural curve.

Indeed, many pregnant women have said they prefer to sleep on the floor

This is because when pregnant, their belly is the heaviest part of their body.

And it sinks into the mattress the most, making the spine curve in an unnatural way.

Sleeping on a hard surface prevents that.

However, sleeping on the floor alone places too much pressure on your hips and shoulders.

What you can do is placing a thin cushion underneath – in this case, a Japanese futon.

A Japanese shiki futon is 3-4 inch thick, which gives you enough cushioning to relieve the pressure at your hips and shoulders.

How to make your Japanese futon last longer?

Most, if not all, Japanese futons are not washable.

Therefore, you should use a mattress cover to protect your shiki futon, especially if you are going to put it on the ground.

With most japanese mattresses, you will have to hang it in the sunlight and beat it up every 2 weeks.

This is to prevent mold and bacteria from growing in the shikibuton and to fluff it up.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the best Japanese futon mattresses!

Overview of the best Japanese futon mattresses

EMOOR Compact-Sized Japanese Futon Set

Best Value

Includes a Comforter (Kakebuton), a Futon Mattress (Shikibuton) and a Pillow.
Available in multiple sizes
Dimensions for a Compact Twin Size:
- Futon Mattress (Shikibuton): 37″ x 77″ (95 x 195 cm) Weight: 5.51 lb
Fabric: 100% Cotton, 200 Thread Count Cotton Broadcloth
Stuffing: 100% Polyester
Authentic Japanese

EMOOR -CLASSE Series- Japanese Futon Mattress

Best comfort

High density polyester pad
Outer fabric is 100% cotton.
Uses sandwich quilting to provide good cushioning
Available from Twin to King size
Product specifications for Twin size:
- Dimensions: 39 x 79 in (100 x 200cm)
- Weight: 11 lbs
Non-washable
Made in Japan

MAXYOYO Portable Floor Mattress

Best for camping

Set includes: 1 futon mattress, 1 same color mattress dust proof cover, 1 pair of bandage, 1 canvas storage bag.
Dust proof cover with patterns: 100% Cotton
Filling Material: Cotton + Memory Foam
Multiple sizes avaliable: Twin to King
Product specifications for twin size:
- Dimensions: 4″ thick x 39″ wide x 80″ long
- Weight: 10 lbs

(Best value) EMOOR Compact-Sized Japanese Futon Set

Includes a Comforter (Kakebuton), a Futon Mattress (Shikibuton) and a Pillow.
Available in multiple sizes
Dimensions for a Compact Twin Size:
- Comforter (Kakebuton): 59″ x 79″ (150 x 200 cm) Weight: 2.65 lb
- Futon Mattress (Shikibuton): 37″ x 77″ (95 x 195 cm) Weight: 5.51 lb
- Pillow: 17″ x 25″. (43 x 63 cm) Weight: 0.88 lb
Fabric: 100% Cotton, 200 Thread Count Cotton Broadcloth
Stuffing: 100% Polyester
Authentic Japanese

This futon set is the best for value.

This authentic Japanese set comes with a futon (shikifuton), a comforter (kakebuton), and a pillow.

Therefore, if you want to feel like you are in Japan, this is a must-have.

In terms of comfiness, lots of people including pregnant women have said laying on the floor helps with their back pain. However, other people who are used to the Western thick and soft mattress find this quite thin and hurt their pressure points.

So, imagine a Japanese futon as a sleeping bag that’s a bit thicker than a normal sleeping bag. You probably will not enjoy sleeping in only a sleeping bag on the hard ground. You need to have a sleeping pad to make sleeping on the ground more comfortable.

Similarly, if you want to make sleeping on a Japanese futon (shikibuton) more comfortable, consider a layer of sleeping pad. It could be tatami mats to go with the Japanese theme, a sleeping pad, or some cheap foam you can buy from Walmart.

Can be used as a mattress topper or a floor futon
Good for spinal alignment and back pain when used on the floor or a tatami mat
Light weight
Can roll up and store away
Portable
Compact packaging
Laid on floor: Firm, good for spinal alignment (compare with cheap foam mattresses that lose their forms over time)

Will have to air it out every week to fluff it up
Maybe thin if you want a softer bed
(check out my pro tip in the FAQ section on how to make the futon more comfortable)
Will need to buy covers

(Best Japanese futon mattress comfort) EMOOR -CLASSE Series- Shikifuton, Japanese Futon Mattress

High density polyester pad
Outer fabric is 100% cotton.
Uses sandwich quilting to provide good cushioning
Available from Twin to King size
Product specifications for Twin size:
- Dimensions: 39 x 79 in (100 x 200cm)
- Weight: 11 lbs
Non-washable
Made in Japan

This Japanese shikifuton is the most comfortable futon mattress for sleeping on the floor. Thanks to its special sandwich quilting technique, the high density foam pad can cushion better.

If it’s still too firm for you, you can use some more cushion. You can consider tatami mats to go with the Japanese theme, a sleeping pad, or some cheap foam you can buy from Walmart.

Good cushioning
High density foam is good for spinal alignment and back pains
Can be used as a mattress topper (on a couch), makes the guest bed more comfortable
Foldable, lightweight, and portable

Will have to fluff it up by airing the futon on a sunny day regularly.
Some people may want to add more cushion beneath

(Best for camping) MAXYOYO Portable Floor Mattress

Set includes: 1 futon mattress, 1 same color mattress dust proof cover, 1 pair of bandage, 1 canvas storage bag.
Dust proof cover with patterns: 100% Cotton
Filling Material: Cotton + Memory Foam
Multiple sizes avaliable: Twin to King
Product specifications for twin size:
- Dimensions: 4″ thick x 39″ wide x 80″ long
- Weight: 10 lbs

This futon is best for camping with its dense filling, dust proof cover, and other accessories. Lightweight and portable, you can easily roll it up and store away when not using, or bring it with you on road trips.

If you are not a fan of camping, no worries. This can be used to “camp” in your yard, for a sleepover at your friend’ place, or a guest bed when you have visitors.

With the dust proof cover, you can extend the durability of the mattress.

Regarding its comfiness, this mattress is highly dense, which will give you cushioning and is still firm enough for your back to not hurt. Before quilting, the thickness is 17cm. Then they quilt to compress the foam to 10cm (about 4 inches).

Comes with a dust proof cover
Dense filling, giving support, very comfy
Lightweight
Portable

Size may differ (manufacturing problems)
Comes with a tote bag to carry around, but it rips easily

(Most portable - for a sleepover) EMOOR Super Ultra-Compact Japanese Futon Set with Storage Case

3 pieces: the japanese futon mattress (shikifuton), a comforter, and a storage case
Comforter washable
Futon not washable
Dimensions twin size:
- futon: 30 in W x 77 in L (75x195cm)
- comforter: 40 in W x 77 in L (100x195cm)
Weight: 7lbs

This shiki futon set is the most portable as it only weighs 7 lbs in total. It comes with a japanese futon mattress (shikibuton), a thin comforter (kakebuton), and a storage case.

The comforter is thin, as it was designed for indoor use or for the summer. So, if you’re planning to have a sleepover in the winter, maybe turn up the heat.

I would say this is the best for a sleepover.

Very lightweight and portable
Easily roll up and store away
The comforter is washable (use a washing net)

Thin comforter
Thinner futon mattress that some people may find it hard to sleep on

FULI Japanese Traditional Shiki Futon

Made in Japan
Packaged in a reuseable vacuum bag
Product Size: Twin to Full XL (read the product size of each, may be different from standard US sizes)
Packing size: 29″ x 40″ x 2-1/2″
Fabric: 100% Cotton. Stuffing: 100% Polyester
Weight: 10 pounds

This Japanese futon is also very good for comfort. It is a thin layer of cushion, meant to be placed on a hard surface (a tatami mat or even the floor). Sleeping on hard surface is actually good for you spinal alignment, and in the long run, keeps you a way from back pains.

The cushion is still soft to relieve some pressure at contact points such as your hips and shoulders. But as other futons, many of us in the West may find it’s incredibly hard to sleep on the futon placed on the floor. So you can consider placing a tatami mat, a sleeping pad, or a layer of foam below the futon for more cushioning.

Can be used as a mattress topper (on a couch), makes the guest bed more comfortable
On the floor or a tatami mat, good for spinal alignment and back pains
Light weight
Can roll up and store away
Portable

Thinner than advertised
Some people may want to add more cushion beneath
You will have to hang in sunlight and beat it weekly to make it fluff
Will need to buy a cover

What's my recommendation?

If you want to sleep on the floor at home, go for the EMOOR Japanese futon set or the EMOOR Classe Japanese futon mattress (option 1 and 2). They are both comfortable. The difference is the set comes with a pillow and a comforter while the mattress only is better quilted.

If you want a camping trip, go for the 3rd mattress – Maxyoyo roll up mattress. You will sleep higher from the ground than the other options. The mattress is also high density, which gives you plenty of support.

The 4th option – the ultra compact japanese futon set – is good for a sleepover. The whole set weighs only 7 lbs. The comforter is thin, suitable for indoor temperature or the summer.

FAQs about Japanese futons

How to make your Japanese futon bed more comfortable?

If the floor is too hard for you, place the futon mattress on a tatami mat. It will give you a bit more softness.

If it’s still too hard, you can place one layer or more of waffle foam underneath your Japanese futon mattress. Waffle foam is very cheap and can be found in Walmart.

How to care for the Japanese futon?

First of all, most Japanese futon mattress are not washable. Therefore, you should always have a mattress cover on your futon.

Every now and then, hang the shiki futon under the sun where there is a good air flow. This prevents mold and bacteria from growing inside the mattress. And it will also fluff the japanese futon up.

Top 5 best Japanese futon mattresses 2023

Benefits of sleeping on the floor (or just a hard surface)

How to make your Japanese futon last longer?