Customer voices
From OFUTON KOBO ’s own online-store reviews (2019) · family · everyday life · craft
Passing it through the family
The words that recur in the reviews are “mother,” “child,” “husband,” “wife.” A shikibuton is not a one-off purchase — it spreads, slowly, from one person to a whole family’s bedrooms. Here are a few family stories from customers.
A gift for my mother, who was delighted
A gift for my mother, who lives alone. She is 70 this year, and lifting a heavy futon had become hard; her old one had flattened, so I chose this as a present to send her.
At first she doubted such a light futon, wondering if it would soon flatten. But after one night she told me, “The thickness is actually solid — no problem at all.” She feels the cold, and said she was no longer cold all night, and was grateful. Because it is lighter, she now stands it up to air in a sunny room every day. She called it a reassuring gift. When it finally does flatten, she will come back here to buy another.
The whole family is happy
We had tried all sorts of mattresses without finding the right one. As our daughter grew she would sometimes fall off the bed, so we decided to go back to a shikibuton. We bought one single and one double, side by side on the floor.
My husband is glad his body no longer feels stiff and uncomfortable, and our daughter seems to sleep soundly. When it eventually wears out, we will come back here to buy again.
Nine months pregnant, with a one-year-old son
There are three of us — my husband, me (nine months pregnant), and our one-year-old son. We used to squeeze onto one single shikibuton while our son slept in a crib. After I became pregnant there was simply no room, and I had long wanted two proper single shikibuton.
I hesitated for nearly a year. I had once bought an inexpensive futon elsewhere — far too thin — and reminded myself to buy a solid one next time.
I later looked at another brand’s 15 cm futon, but after reading OFUTON KOBO’s article on its “thoughts,” I decided to come here instead. The reviews were all positive, which was reassuring. We now lay it straight onto the tatami; the futon is thick enough that no extra mattress is needed. From today we can sleep comfortably — truly satisfied!
A repeat purchase — the whole house has switched
Little by little, everyone’s futon at home has been replaced with this one. A very good shikibuton.
Our fourth one
This is our fourth. It suited me, so the family’s futon followed. The price is friendly but the thickness is solid and the feel is just right. Laid directly down, no mattress needed, and easy to set out. After more than a year there is no obvious sagging in any one spot.
A shikibuton in everyday life
In daily life a shikibuton is a concrete thing — it has weight and thickness, it must be stood up to air, and it must coexist with the damp of the rainy season. These reviews describe the small details of living with one.
A surprising thickness
Our previous futon had flattened, and we chose this one from the reviews. It is thicker than we imagined, and my husband and son are both very happy with the solid feel. A fine encounter — thank you.
Six months on, still good
It arrived with real heft, and folding it into the closet took a little effort, but lying on it felt premium. Six months later the thickness has eased a little, which actually made it easier to handle; there is no bottoming-out feeling, and it is in fine shape.
It stands up!
In the rainy season a futon is heavy and absorbs damp — usually a burden — but this one’s thickness and dry surface suit me perfectly. After rising I can stand it up indoors to air, give it a little deodorising spray, and it is ready to sleep on when I get home from work.
As thick as a mattress
Since switching to this futon, I often fall asleep myself while settling the children (laughs). It is thick enough to stand against the wall to release moisture, and lately I pair it with a humidity-control pad.
Beyond the good reviews, the store replies carefully to every single one — that was one of the things that decided me.
Replacing a mattress
I had used a mattress, but for hygiene I wanted a shikibuton I could take outside to air. Laid on the bed frame, the thickness is right and the feel is good — no more mattress needed. It is lighter than expected and easy to move.
Thick enough for one on the floor
It is thick enough that a single one straight on the floor is plenty. Lighter than expected, so laying it out and away each day is easy. Sleeping with the baby, the firmness is moderate and reassuring.
Craft, and the store’s replies
Across these 27 reviews, another recurring theme is craft and the shop’s replies. “Made in Japan,” “solid quilting,” “it feels like someone made it with care,” “every review is answered” — these are the echoes customers feel of a workshop that is still there.
Wool shikibuton · HIMARI
My previous futon was also a Japanese-made 100% wool one — comfortable, and it did not trap moisture — so while looking for something equivalent I found this.
It arrived quickly, not vacuum-compressed, ready to lay out the same day. The feel is good, the futon is light and easy to handle, and I love it. The first one suited me, so I bought another. I will take good care of them.
Admiration for the maker’s craft
The quality is good, and you can see the care in the maker’s craft. When I add another, I will certainly come back here.
Solid resilience, sound quilting
It arrived the very next morning, to my surprise.
The packaging was just right — secure but not excessive. Inside was a neatly folded futon; though folded small, it already had solid resilience, and the children were pleased. The quilting is well done — truly Japanese-made standard.
The sleep feel is excellent
On arrival, the first thing that struck me was the touch — smooth on the surface, thick and lofty. You can feel it was made with care. The feel is excellent too — the body is caught naturally.
Thick yet light, easy to lay out and put away, and reassuring when guests stay. I will buy again when needed. Thank you for this fine product.
The store’s care is in the product
My son said he was “about to roll off the futon” — which shows how solid it is. No mattress is truly needed now. It was my first firmer futon, and I had worried about the feel, but my body did not sink, and there was no discomfort at night or in the morning.
What I felt most was the care and thoughtfulness I could read in the product. Having grown fond of this shop, I will return for a matching-size futon cover.
Why we reply to every one
Since we began selling directly online, I read every review carefully, one by one.
Among them are criticism, suggestions, and greetings — but what most makes it feel worth continuing is still that one word: “thank you.”
Across generations, this one phrase has remained an important measure for the family business.
The reviews above were originally in Japanese, from OFUTON KOBO ’s own online store — public comments from customers who actually purchased in 2019. The English here is a faithful translation with light editing; no facts have been changed and no source invented. Individual statements touching on personal health perceptions (such as back comfort or sleep sensation) have been trimmed or paraphrased in line with local advertising regulations. A shikibuton is household bedding, not a medical device, and cannot replace any medical treatment, diagnosis, or health program. These reviews reflect customers’ subjective experiences, are for reference only, and are not a promise to every user.