Futon
Like most folks in Japan, this household has hung their futon out to bask in the sun. For those who dont know what a futon is, the best description I can give it is "Japanese Mattress" ^^;
The futon is usually hung over a balcony to absorb the suns rays for many reasons - killing of fleas, maintaining original shape, getting rid of sweaty smells or to dry any other liquids/solids discharged from your body.
When the sun has gone in, the futon is usually beaten with what looks like a flat bat - you can see the woman in the video below about to beat the futon to get rid of the dust. The announcer says its bad for the futon though ^^;
I used to have a futon back in the UK too - personally felt more comfortable sleeping in the floor. Do you sleep on a futon?
Below: How to maintain a futon.
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student
http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/
I sleep on a bed but I should get a futon lol. For I sleep on the ground many times and having an extra bit of comfort would be nice ^^.
Gunpla Enthusiast
i slept in a futon until i moved to the basement, simply too many bugs to be sleeping on the floor.
Costume Talent, Stormtrooper, Student, Writer
http://akxd.wordpress.com/
I have a mattress which lies on the floor (and is propped against the wall when I'm not using it), but it's the kind made of beds, so no, not a futon.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
I heard futons are very rigid and it's difficult to sleep on when you're not used to them. I recently bought a mattress when I moved in about a week and a half ago and the so-called "firm" bed is already too rigid for me... so a futon in comparison... would be like me sleeping on a brick wall. you see what I mean, right?
Japanese Student
http://japanqna.wordpress.com
Futons are great. I used to have one, too. But I only had the spring/summer one. I heard there are autumn/winter versions.
Student
I used to have a "Western" one when I was small, it could turn into a couch and stuff.
4th Year Business Economics Student
No futon for me, I'm way to used to the bed. ^^ I also doubt it's easy to get futons here in Holland.
Stalker
I bought just the matress for around $200 when I first started sharing an apartment, but it didn't take long to notice the crazy amounts of dirt and nasties it would pick up from the floor, so we went to the Home store and I bought a basic frame. o longer had dust along the edges of my matress. *yuck*
It didn't bother me too much, but it made the sheets kinda itchy, plus well, imagine the ladies when they see a matress on the floor... with dust on it... Not cool. :( So yeah, I would recommend, even if you like having a simple bed setup, at least buy a basic frame of some sort to lift the matress off of the floor.
Tow dispatcher
That looks like a blanket...
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
I would sleep in futons, if I had a proper tatami floor under it.
In fact, I slept in some ryokans while in Japan, tatami floors and futons.
It was pretty nice.
But currently here I sleep on a king sized orthopedic foam mattress.
I guess it's the highest density you can get. So it's pretty similar...
Geek Liaison
http://www.thegeekreview.com
Well I never tried a futon before but cant be any worse then the sleeping bag on the floor, that I slept in for a month as a kid.
Friend of mine sleeps right on the floor, with nothing more then a thin foam mat between him and the carpet, because of a back problem.
http://www.marvinryan.com
I slept on a futon while at a ryokan in Ishikawa. t'was one of the most comfortable mattress I ever slept on. ^^ I wonder tho, do futons come in matrimonial size? or is it single size only? ^^
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
i don't have a futon but i would like to experience sleeping in one ^^
is there an ero futon? :3
i slept on a futon when i was living in japan and loved it. but here in canada i have a bed and i'm not overly happy with it. when ever i go to my friends house, he has a large futon like blanket that i love to sleep on, feel great in the morning.
marvin: i crossed by this earlier today, and apparently futon come in two sizes, single and double.
http://www.tatami.ca/products_futon.asp
some nice information about random things on this site, thinking of doing my room with tatami's if i decide to continue living in canada. (almost 80% positive i will be living in japan =P)
i just read MACdaddy's comment, and thought i would throw this in.
Futons are not beds, you do not keep them out during the day, (hence why they are foldable) you take them out to go to bed and fold it up in the morning and store it in your closet or designated spot so that your situation does not happen (dirt and such on ur futon)
PhysicsMajor/Someting/Photo/Pharm Tech
http://www.cadha13.com/blog
I have had this one futon since I was in fifth grade. It was sitting on top of a mattress for years until a few months ago when I decided to throw out the bed just slept on the floor with the futon. I love to sleep on it every night and is quite refreshing. There is a lot of stuff that build up with a futon on the floor even though it is fairly clean. I would not buy another type of sleeping cushion just a new futon.
Network security professional
Futon > Ordinary bed.
Student
they are not bad, one advantage is you can roll around the room. Comfortable beds are nice, but I wont be able to sleep if it's too soft
College Kid
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexander-Geovani-Castillo/1138650146
Futons are just as comfy, but more fun, I have cold floors so a bed it is.
Tech support
I've got a nice big, comfortable double-bed to move around in and hide my stuff under! I've slept on just a mattress on the floor before which I didn't find too comfy, so I definetely prefer a bed.
Design Consultant
@D_Blade, Welcome Back! I wondered where you went. I thought you had too many nose bleeds with all the eroge being posted lately and passed out.
Oh.. and futons are horrible... hooooorrrrible. You can get a bed from IKEA for $4.. or so. I always wondered if IKEA is in all caps because you are supposed to yell their name. j/k
Design Consultant
@Evo Spec, I dont know why you are so annoyed with MacDaddys comment.. hes right. They get dirty and they make you look like a sad bachelor. Men either get real beds, or sleep on the floor. Lol.
Computer Engineer
I sleep on a futon, not in the traditional sense, its a western style, so its more like a sofa bed, but with a futon. Been the most comfortable thing ive slept on, been using it for the last couple of years.
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
My grandma house has Futon that I use every time I go back there. Nothing beats sleeping on the floor(and the back pain afterwards ^^).
Administrative Assistant
http://bob-san.animeblogger.net
I do not. At least not yet. In my old apartment, I ended up sleeping on the floor using a makeshift...thing (Several things to use as padding/mattress). It was probably the best sleep I ever got. But now that I'm home with the folks and using an actual bed, my neck/spine has been less than stellar.
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
i slept in a futon during my last trip to japan and it was strangely comfortable. (warm futon during winter= a good night's sleep)
Service desk support
http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net
I have slept on a futon before on several occasions, but I think i still prefer the old bed!
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
It saves more space if one's house is small, than using the normal bed.
I need one; my room is small.
I've never needed a futon, never tried one, and don't see why I should get rid of my bed for one... on the other hand... it would give me a whole new corner of empty space...
Which I could make into a miniatures corner! Me wants futon! ^^
University Student
I don't sleep on a futon, but I do find myself on the floor or in other odd places a lot.
Anime Store Owner, artist, Web master
http://www.chucksanimeshrine.com
I sleep on a futon sometimes, not the best for your back though
Student
http://solaris.makeforum.org/
I think I'd like to try sleeping on one once but I'm doubtful whether it'll replace my good old bed.
web surfer (no pay)
ive slept on a futon/couch that was absolutely horrible... DX
ISP Tech Support
http://www.dakroland.com
When I visited Japan between Oct 9th and Oct 23rd, I slept on a Futon. I agree 100%. It was MUCH more comfortable sleeping on a Futon on the floor, than sleeping in my bed. I really enjoyed it a I slept very well.
I stayed in Sasayama and saw this sight quite often. I didn't stay at a hotel, (except for a night spent in Osaka and in Kyoto when we visited there) and I think our visit was much better because of that.
I want to go back to Japan right now! But I have to pay off credit cards and bills first. Time to sell off my Transformers collection. :)
Hikikomori
I've read there are medical benefits with sleeping on a futon on the floor. I believe it was something to do with the hard floor underneath the futon was great for your back. I currently have a super uncomfortable mattress, where my joints and back ache in the morning, so getting a futon is something that's definitely on my list in the future.
.NET/Web Developer
http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net
What's the difference between a futon and your standard mattress?
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
@DRAGUN: Thank you for your kind words. Well, I have been really longing to come back... Good to be here again. As for eroge, I guess you're a bit mistaken. Anyway.
I paid mine $700 Can. including mattress and frame, 10-year guarantee and delivery... And darn taxes added $100 to it!! No joking. A good bed is an expensive bed, but it is a long-term investment!
$4?! You got to be kidding me, even bedsheets cost more... Or that they last a week? *laughs* No offense to IKEA (Yep, gotta yell their brand to make sales).
As for beds, never buy mattresses without frames, your back will thank you for it. And what about dust and dirt? Well, prevention is the best solution. If you are/become a cleaning fairy, chances are that your bed will be nice and sparkly white for a long while (naturally, unless it is too late)!
ISP Tech Support
http://www.dakroland.com
@BeLe: A futon is like this...
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/940/50588329.JPG
and a mattress (or standard bed set) is like this...
http://i17.tinypic.com/4oz64pc.jpg
Most mattresses are a thin layer of padding material, with an inner spring support frame. Unless the padding material is thick enough, the springs can actually be felt and thus makes for an uncomfortable mattress.
Student
http://arudesu.animeblogger.net
Mattress > Futon, enough said! ^^
i'm probably going to purchase one in the near future due to my back problem and i have a really small room, so i could just fold it up and put it away in the day time, saving me LOTS of room. (i have a double bed,it takes up half my room)
Computer Engineer
Cutetwirler: lol, yeah, when me and a friend went to Japan, the only thing that we couldnt get used to were the hard pillows. Bit of a shock when after 12-14 hours travelling, go to flop on the hotel bed and almost give yourself a concussion.
Web Design & Development
http://www.nerdculture.org
I sleep on a crappy Ikea bed. >.> I should get a Futon so I can fold it up when I'm not using it. My room is way too crowded.
ISP Tech Support
http://www.dakroland.com
I gotta tell you, I slept on a futon when I was in Japan in October for a couple weeks. It was MORE comfortable than my bed here at home, and I felt better after sleeping on it. It was wonderful! I can't sleep comfortably on my bed now. I want a futon!
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Nice, unlike stationary bed, with movable futon, more space can be saved.
Very ideal for usually small Japanese houses.
NEET? Hikkikomori?
http://rosea.primula.name
maa, dunno if we can call it futon, but my bed is a kapok mattress. it's thicker than your average futon but i think it's close enough to futon (and yes, it has no bed frame :D)
it's comfortable enough for me to sleep, in fact, i like it more than normal bed :)
if you don't understand what i'm saying, ask your friend from indonesia with better english than mine cause i have a trouble explaining =P
Student
http://darenothope.livejournal.com
In JDramas the futons look so comfortable. Makes me want one. Plus you can fold them up and save space. And goodness knows I need some more space in my room.
Massaging boobs
Slept on futons many times. Not what we call it here, but it has the same principle. I move a lot, so I lack a bed once in a while. Then its good to have a futon. I even have a futon-inspired couch. Much closer to the ground than normal ones, so I get to work-out, trying to get up. XD