{"id":476,"date":"2020-09-11T08:56:14","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T08:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/?p=476"},"modified":"2023-06-20T09:04:49","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T13:04:49","slug":"japanese-sleep-on-floor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sleeping.guide\/japanese-sleep-on-floor\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Japanese People Sleep On The Floor: Simply Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I bet that after long, hard day you want nothing more than to\u2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roll out a mat and sleep on the floor?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different customs around the world can seem very strange \u2013 and one of the biggest is how Japanese people sleep on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve often been curious about this myself, so I dove in and found out why. Everything I found is outlined below, but if you want a short answer..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do Japanese People Sleep on the Floor?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a bunch of reasons why Japanese People Sleep on the Floor. Including tradition, space-saving in small homes, and customising for summer\/winter, and more. Sleeping on the floor has been custom in Japan for thousands of years, though this is slowly fading.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the quick version \u2013 but in truth there\u2019s no \u2018one\u2019 reason why Japanese people sleep on the floor. Instead, there\u2019s plenty! I\u2019ve covered them all below. (And also covered some of the disadvantages at the end\u2026 it\u2019s not all sunshine and rainbows down on the floor!) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tradition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you think about it, the whole world must have slept on the floor at some point. We didn\u2019t always have the large raised beds that we all enjoy now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respecting tradition in Japan is a massive<\/em> deal. While they\u2019re some of the fastest innovators with technology, they never forget their roots, either.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Japanese<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Japanese way of sleep has been perfected over thousands of years, and is simply a custom of their culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a minority are adopting western-style raised beds (this is even an option in some non-tourist hotels), sleeping on the floor doesn\u2019t look to be changing anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soft Flooring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I mentioned tradition \u2013 sleeping on the floor isn\u2019t the only thing that holds true for Japanese people.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even their flooring hasn\u2019t changed in thousands of years. They use what are called tatami mats \u2013 soft mats used instead of carpets. Traditionally made from fresh cut straw which changed color as it ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One issue with this flooring is that it can\u2019t really handle heavy furniture like a large four-poster bed. Instead, Japanese often opt for light, easy-to-move furniture pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Functionality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As one of the world\u2019s densest countries by population<\/a>, space is a rare commodity in Japan. Especially in their larger cities it\u2019s not uncommon to see small apartments without<\/em> bedrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, it makes much more sense to store their sleeping furniture until they need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s sort of like the Eastern equivalent of our pull-out beds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping futons<\/a> are often stored in the closet during the day to save space, and then set out every night before going to sleep. It\u2019s brings a whole new meaning to \u2018making your bed\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adapting to the Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A great trick is that the Japanese often change their futon depending on the season. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike in the west where we are stuck with one bed for the whole year, you can get both summer and winter futons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer you use a lighter, more breathable one to help your body heat flow away. And the opposite in winter \u2013 a denser and more insulating futon keeps you warm through the cold winter nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With incredibly humid air combined<\/a> with summer temperatures up to 90F (32C), a breathable summer mattress<\/a> can be a real lifesaver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Cooler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No \u2013 I\u2019m not meaning \u2018cool\u2019 like a teenage anime fan\u2026 but literally.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone knows that heat rises \u2013 but we often don\u2019t think about what happens below it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower you are in a room, the cooler the air will be (generally).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping closer to the floor is another way to stay cool in an otherwise roasting, sweaty summer night in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Cheaper!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any new homeowner is quick to bemoan the cost of a good bed. The ridiculously expensive mattress, combined with the bed frame and linen\u2026 you\u2019re often looking at over $1,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, floor-based futons can cost you less than $100 for the full set. It\u2019s simple, easily available, and barely hits your budget. No wonder people often have multiple types for different season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other advantage here is that it makes for better parties!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Futon
Futons make it super easy to have friends stay over.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When we have friends over in the west, they often need to share our bed, or crash anywhere from the couch to the bathtub. In Japan, it\u2019s super easy to have friends stay over \u2013 and is a much more common occurrence. When you have a whole set of spare beds you can just roll out of the closet, it\u2019s a lot easier (and more comfortable) for friends to just stay the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earthquakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much of Asia experiences strong earthquakes, and Japan is no exception.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why they have some of the best earthquake-protected buildings in the world. They\u2019ve been at the forefront of mitigating the damage from these colossal forces of nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside these actual buildings, it\u2019s always a good idea to have everything stored securely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also much better to be closer to the floor in the event of an earthquake. While this isn\u2019t the #1 reason Japanese people sleep on the floor, it\u2019s definitely a small advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Benefits to Japanese Sleeping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all heard about sleeping on the floor potentially being the \u2018cure\u2019 to a bad back..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mostly told by that one crazy friend who\u2019s constantly into new fads! Though they are correct, sometimes sleeping on the floor can help a bad back. It\u2019s essentially like a very, very firm mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, we\u2019re not talking about sleeping on the floor in the literal sense.<\/strong> While Japanese are sleeping closer<\/u> to the floor, they\u2019re still sleeping futons \u2013 similar to mattresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are key differences.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Futons are typically much firmer than mattresses, which CAN be very beneficial for your back<\/a>. The problem with modern beds is that they are often way too soft. They can sag in the middle, which leaves our lower backs unsupported \u2013 meaning we are placing our weight on them throughout the night.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Lower
Get up the next day and try to walk around and lift things, and no wonder your back gets sore. It\u2019s getting zero time to rest or recover!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Alternatively, a firmer mattress won\u2019t sag. It will support your lower back, giving it a time to recover and regain it\u2019s strength. So, in this way, sleeping on these style of futons is better for you<\/u> than super soft mattress. But the same effect could be gained by sleeping on a firmer mattress (or a good memory foam one).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short \u2013 the health benefits of sleeping on futons like this aren\u2019t life-changing. They can be, if you sleep on a bad mattress<\/a>, but otherwise this is more of a tradition \/ cultural custom than a health-focused decision for Japanese people.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are There Drawbacks to Sleeping on the Floor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with anything, there\u2019s always a few cons to match the pros.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a quick rundown of what the Japanese are missing out on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • There\u2019s always more bugs at floor level.<\/strong> And have you seen the kind of bugs you get in Asia?!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • It\u2019s a lot more effort<\/strong>. Having to unroll futons and put sheets on them everytime you want to sleep (not to mention doing it in the reverse in the morning) is a lot<\/u> of effort. It\u2019s like losing 30 minutes of your day\u2026 every day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • No bedroom separation<\/strong>. It\u2019s proven (and I\u2019ve said over and over) that environment affects our brains a lot. One way to mess with your sleep is to spend a lot of time being awake in your bedroom. Having your sleep space separate to your living space helps cue your brain to drift off quickly. Unfortunately this isn\u2019t possible when you sleep on the living room floor!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Space isn\u2019t always an issue<\/strong>. Saving space can be a huge advantage in small Japanese apartments. But in a large US home in the Midwest? It\u2019s hardly an issue \u2013 so you lose one of the biggest advantages of floor sleeping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Not as comfortable<\/strong>. This is debatable, but there\u2019s a limit to how comfy a futon can be. While it may be better for your back, many will never find them as comfortable as a large mattress and plushy pillows. This is especially true for heavier people. Westerners tend to be taller and larger than Japanese people. A heavier person will naturally need a bit more give to be comfortable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    How Do Japanese Beds Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As with anything Japanese, there\u2019s a whole little system when it comes to sleeping.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First you have the Tatami mats \u2013 which we covered before. The soft mats traditionally made out of straw, and used as flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On top of those you place two futons. The first is a dense, heavy futon used as a firmer foundation to sleep on. Second is a thinner foam futon \u2013 the one on which you actually sleep. Both of these are covered with their own sheets, combined with a traditional pillow \u2013 filled with buckwheat hulls rather than feathers! (Yes, they\u2019re as noisy as they sound).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What About When They Want A Nap?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This is another big difference between western and eastern cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (And one that I particularly love).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In Japan, naps are done wherever, whenever you want to take them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s not uncommon to see workers asleep at their desk, or regular people asleep on park benches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Especially when it comes to work \u2013 the Japanese see naps as a positive thing. To them, a nap signifies that you have been working so hard you\u2019re exhausted! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, most of the bosses I\u2019ve had wouldn\u2019t see it that way..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    After plenty of research, that about covers everything I could find on why Japanese people sleep on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I hope this has helped clear the topic up for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the end, I wouldn\u2019t throw away a decent mattress just yet. But maybe it\u2019s something to consider trying in the future. And why not, it\u2019s not like it\u2019s expensive \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If this article\u2019s helped you, please consider checking out some of my other articles below. It really helps support the blog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sleep well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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