Choose HIMARI 日葵 if you want the everyday Japanese shikibuton: approx. 10 cm of loft over an approx. 8 cm firm polyester support core, with 25% wool-blend filling, in 100, 120 or 140 cm widths. Choose SORA 宙 if you want a fuller, softer-feeling surface: approx. 12 cm of loft with a 50% premium wool blend, in 100 or 140 cm widths. Both are made in the same workshop in Oyama, Tochigi, Japan, and both fold for storage.
HIMARI and SORA compared
| HIMARI 日葵 | SORA 宙 | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Approx. 10 cm | Approx. 12 cm |
| Feel | Firm, balanced support | Balanced medium, fuller cushioning |
| Filling | 25% wool blend over an approx. 8 cm firm polyester support core | 50% premium wool blend |
| Length | 210 cm | 200 cm |
| Widths | 100, 120 and 140 cm | 100 and 140 cm |
| Position | Signature model, made for nightly use | 150th anniversary limited edition, 2026 specification |
| Often chosen by | First-time shikibuton users; back sleepers; anyone who prefers steady, firm support | Side sleepers; people used to a Western mattress; anyone who wants more cushioning |
Availability varies by delivery country, and prices are shown in local currency on each market’s product page.
Choose HIMARI if
- This is your first shikibuton and you want the standard Japanese feel.
- You sleep mainly on your back, or prefer a firm, level surface.
- You need the 120 cm Comfort Single width, which SORA does not offer.
- You want the longer 210 cm length.
Choose SORA if
- You sleep on your side and want more cushioning at the shoulder and hip.
- You are moving from a thick Western mattress and want a softer first impression.
- You want the higher proportion of wool, at 50% of the filling.
What does not decide it
Thickness alone is not the deciding factor: HIMARI’s firm core and SORA’s wool loft feel different at the same body weight. The surface underneath matters as much — see what to put under a shikibuton and using one on a bed frame.