My sister lives in Japan so she gave me advice on what kind of futon to get and this is the one I picked.
PROSPECTIVE BUYERS:
-These are very comfortable. This is so close to a bed I can't feel the difference.
-Skip the inflatables, cots, and what-nots. You don't have to worry about pumps and punctures.
-I highly recommend them for ANY usage (everyday, when company is over, college, camping trips etc.)
-Easy to store and transport. Just roll it up and bam! done. You can carry it alone.
-I tested my futon on carpet and on hard floors. It's just as comfortable either way.
-A lot cleaner than beds.
-It's really affordable and you will have it for a long time.
CONCERNS I HAD BEFORE I MADE MY PURCHASE:
-I didn't think it would be comfortable:
**It's very comfortable and the closest I could get to a real bed.
-I thought the material inside would be saggy and it would be like sleeping on the floor or a sleeping bag:
**The padding keeps its thickness and doesn't sag at all. It is very supportive and plush.
-I was concerned about the toxic chemical smell some reviewers mentioned:
**My futon did not have a toxic smell. It has a very light woodsy scent due to the cotton. It goes away and you can just air it out if it really bothers you.
-I wanted it to be authentic:
**The style is authentic and it's traditional. But they obviously aren't made in Japan or shipped from Japan. This was alright with me because I didn't want to pay an extra $100+ for shipping if I wanted one from Japan.
AFTER 6 MONTHS OF EVERYDAY USE:
-It's still just as comfortable and I fall asleep right away.
-I don't have any complaints and I don't wake up sore.
-I'm even considering never owning a bed again.
-The smell is completely gone.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
-I use a fitted bed sheet on mine to protect the cover and I didn't want it to get dirty.
-I bought mine in black because I thought it would be more durable and not show dirt/stains.
-Air your futon out every so often (about once or twice a month).
-I'm 21 and I'm 5'5 137lbs. It's good for me. My mom came to visit for a couple of days and she slept on it for 3 nights. She is 49 5'10 and probably around 170lbs. She said it was comfortable for her as well. I can't say much for older or heavier people. I'm sure it would be just as comfortable.
-Japanese futons are suppose to be very good for your back.
-You can buy extra covers on eBay so you can wash and replace them if it gets damaged. You can also buy different colors.
***remember I bought the queen size on eBay. It's the exact same thing just 33" wider and 5" longer.This was on my Fiancee's wish list. I purchased it from FutonFurnitures' amazon store. The item arrived quickly and in good condition. I let my Fiancee open it early as we had just set up the Christmas tree and we wanted to sleep near the tree to enjoy the ambiance. She said it was the best she had slept in a long time. She has ordered one for me for Christmas now and I eagerly await my floor futon (shikibuton).I purchased this as a replacement for a similar futon I purchased on ebay. The futon from ebay was $45. Because I assumed the product came from the same company, I was expecting the thickness to be the same as the one I purchased from ebay. This was not the case. The padding was thicker than my original one from ebay; though it flattens over time, you can fluff it again by opening the futon and adjusting the cotton.
The outer fabric is not as strong as the one I purchased from ebay, but it is still strong enough. My futon from ebay has a canvas-like material which was extremely durable.
If you do not want to spend the money on a J-Life futon, this is well worth the money.It's not really as "plush" as I had hoped... When compressed it's 2 inches thick. I'd say I get 7 hours of good sleep on it until I wake up uncomfortable... : Nothing lasting though. I usually get up and go work out for 30 minutes and I'm fine. I prefer it over an inflatable mattress as those DO leave me with a lingering lower back pain, this w/ a Tatami mat does NOT.
Not really sure how practical it is but if you're into a lifestyle with as few material possessions as possible, I'd consider it an option. As it is now I'm just waiting on my new mattress to get here and I'll use this futon as a backup bed in case I need to give up my bed for some company or something.A lot of the other reviews comment on the smell. It is true there is a smell from it, but it is the smell of the cotton batting--an earthy, organic smell that I find slightly pleasant. When you unzip it and look inside, the cotton batting is minimally processed, which in my opinion is a bonus. Once a put a sheet on it, you couldn't even smell it.
The main reason I'm writing this is I don't want people to miss out on a great mattress because they are afraid of what it might smell like. Me and my cat absolutely love it.


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