5 Bed Sizes In Japan | Guide to Bed Sizes in Japan

Here’s a guide to bed sizes in Japan so you can buy yourself the perfect sized bed in Japan!

Sizing up your sleep space in Japan? Don’t get lost in translation! This guide unravels the mystery of Japanese bed sizes, from the compact single to the luxurious king. Find the perfect fit for your slumber and ensure sweet dreams in Japan!

Bed Sizes in Japan

Bed Type	Bed Size in Japan
Single Bed Size in Japan	97 x 195 cm
Semi-Double Size in Japan	120 x 195 cm
Double Bed Size in Japan	140 x 195 cm
Queen Bed Size In Japan	152 x 195 cm
King Bed Size in Japan	180 x 195 cm

Traditional Japanese Futon

Japanese Futon is the most traditional form of bed that you can get. It is associated with the traditional image of Japan. You may be thinking of a futon as a very thin type of mattress on a foldable sofa frame. 

But, in Japan, a futon is actually a type of bedding that is laid directly on the floor. Futons are not as common in Japan as they were once upon a time. However, you can still purchase them and they are often the bed of choice in traditional inns. 

   

If you are looking for a very cheap yet comfortable option, a futon is definitely the one you may want to try out.

You’ll find a Japanese futon in different bed sizes in Japan. Most common is futon in single bed size in Japan.

How to make a Japanese bed using a futon

Japanese futons do not require a bed frame and a mattress like a western-style bed. You can lay the Japanese futon directly on the floor. It is extremely easy to set it up. Futon comes with five different parts that include the mattress, cover, sheet, comforter, fitted sheet, and blanket.

• Related: Best Japanese Futon

To make your bed, first, lay a futon mattress on the floor. Next, use the sheets provided on top of the futon and then fold in the excess underneath to get a tight fit. Then, you cover the comforter with the fitted sheet and lay the solid side down on the mattress. 

Use a Japanese-style pillow that is filled with little beads. These are known to conform to the shape of your neck and head, thus, giving you a very good night’s sleep. Futons are best when laid on tatami mats and not on hardwood floors. The mats are softer and provide much-needed support.

Sofa Bed

If you have a small size apartment in Japan, one great option for you is sofa beds. These are quite similar to Western-style futon beds and can function both as a sleeping and sitting space. 

You may not find the most beautiful designs, but they are quite cheap and affordable. If you are looking for better designs, more levels of comfort, and storage options, you may have to shell out a little bit extra from a pocket. 

Sofa bed sizes in Japan are quite small and meant for compact spaces. So it’s perfect for small apartments because they help to free up some space. But if you are taller than 160 cm, you may have slight discomfort while sleeping on them.

Tatami Platform Bed

Tatami platform beds are a modern take on the Japanese futon. These platform beds give a traditional Japanese feel but with a western-style twist. The frame is low to the floor like a western-style bed. Also, the inside of the frame is made of tatami bamboo. 

You can use the frames with either a traditional Japanese cute or with your Western-style mattress. The most popular choice in Japan definitely is the western style mattresses.

Western Style Bedding

Today, the most common type of bed that you will see in almost every Japanese household is the western style mattress and wedding. The bed frames can be quite expensive, however, the beds are extremely durable and will last you for a very long time. 

These beds also give you extra storage. Western beds come in a different variety of sizes compared to the Japanese futon.

Ashitsuki Mattress 

If you want the comfort of a western bed without shelling out a lot, Ashitsuki mattresses are the best option for you. The bed has removable legs attached to it to give the mattress some height. 

This also helps to free up space in your home. If you ever decide to get a bed frame, you can always remove the legs leaving a regular mattress. Ashistsuki mattress is cheaper than a full bed set, but there’s not a lot of extra space underneath. 

Also, there are several complaints by buyers that you can only buy bedsheets for your Ashitsuki mattress from the store you bought your bed from. This is because the bed sheets you buy from other retailers may not fit.

Bed Sizes in Japan

The bed measurements of Japanese and American styles are slightly different from each other. The standard size for beds in the US are as follows: twin (99 X 191 cm), full (137 X 191 cm), Queen (152 x 203 cm), and King (193 x 203 cm). 

Japanese apartments are smaller in size as compared to American apartments and show the standard size of bed also smaller. Single (97 x 195 cm), semi-double (120 x 195 cm), double (140 x 195 cm), Queen (152 x 195 cm), and King (180 x 195 cm). 

Both the regular mattresses as well as the Ashitsuki mattresses come in these standard Japanese bed sizes. If you have a one-room apartment, I highly recommend that you get either a single bed or a semi-double-sized bed to increase the space in your apartment.

Japanese Bed Sizes VS American

Bed Type	Bed Size in Japan	Bed size in US
Single Bed Size	97 x 195 cm	99 cm X 190 cm
Semi-Double Size	120 x 195 cm	137 cm X 190 cm
Double Bed Size	140 x 195 cm	–
Queen Bed Size	152 x 195 cm	193 cm X 203 cm
King Bed Size	180 x 195 cm	183cm X 213 cm

In Japan, bed sizes only vary in width, the length is constant with 195cm. You’ll find it very difficult to find a bed size for tall people in Japan because of this reason. Whereas, in the US, you’ll find different sizes of bed varying in length and breadth including Queen, King and California King size beds. 

Platform beds are a commonplace in Japan. Basically, in Japan, the mattress is placed on a wooden platform Whereas in America, adding a box spring under the mattress is pretty common. Box springs are only used in luxury hotels in Japan. Also, you’ll notice that the total height of the bed including the mattress in lower in Japan than it is in America.

Where To Buy Beds in Japan

Japan has a variety of stores from where you can get all of these types of beds and sizes. The most popular Japanese stores that people often frequent to get their beds are Muji and Nitori. 

Muji is known to have minimalistic designs and simple packaging. Although the prices are not cheap, you will get a lot of good options available here as compared to several recognized brands and boutiques. 

Nitori is almost similar to Muji in that a lot of their designs are minimal, but the prices are relatively cheaper as compared to Muji. Ikea has also recently become very popular in Japan where you can get western designs. 

Ikea and Nitori are both affordable if you’re looking for nice and simplistic options. If you do not like visiting physical stores, you can always go for online retailers such as Rakuten and Amazon Japan. 

They both contain some of the most affordable beds with delivery time that takes a minimum of about 2 weeks. You will also find higher-priced items over here that are excellent in quality. 

Amazon Japan is extremely easy to navigate both in English and Japanese. Rakuten is extremely popular among Japanese customers as the website contains a very huge collection of bedding options in different styles and at affordable prices. Rakuten website, however, only operates in Japanese and so could be quite a problem for a foreigner who does not understand the language.

Second Hand Stores To Buy Bed in Japan

In western countries, people do not often go to second-hand stores as a precautionary measure. In Japan however, second-hand stores are the first destination of buyers. Second-hand items are taken care of really well in Japan and you will easily find items in an almost new or gently used condition. 

Some of the most popular second-hand stores where you can go include Off-House and Second Street. Off-House contains everything that is related to the household items including clothes, kitchenware, and furniture. Second Street also sells furniture but the collection here is comparatively less as compared to Off-House.

Benefits of a Japanese Style Bedroom

There are several health-related as well as other benefits of following the traditional Japanese sleep system, i.e., sleeping on the floor. Here are some of the benefits that may inspire you to follow this system:

• Cooler temperature 
• better circulation 
• reduced back and muscle pain 
• better spine alignment 
• eco friendly 
• more space because the mattress can be rolled and stored away when not in use

Japanese Sleep Principles

Here are some common practices that the Japanese follow when it comes to sleep:

Co-sleeping 

It is a very common sight to see Japanese families sharing two or three large futons spread over a tatami room. Here, you will see parents sleeping next to their babies and young children. 

Napping

Napping, just not in beds. The Japanese make sure that they rolle away their futons and store them away for the day. They are only brought back out when it is time to go to sleep at night. However, this in no way means that the Japanese do not nap. The Japanese follow a system where they can nap wherever, whenever. 

You’ll see them napping at work, on the subway, and even on a park bench. This phenomenon is known as ‘inemuri’. Japanese take a quick nap no matter where they are when they need a quick recharge.

There is no one-size-fits-all rule in Japan. You purchase a bed depending on your room type and your sleeping needs. You can easily find a comfortable bed within your budget. I hope this article helped you understand the different bed sizes available in Japan as well as  the different beds and the mattress that you can use.

Also Read

1. Tatami Room and its Culture
2. How to live in a Tokyo Micro Apartment