Job Discussion Forums

zander7990 · Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 65

Hey guys. where can i buy a futon couch in japan, mainly yokohama area. Im looking for the kind of futons that they sell at ikea back home or in futon shops. The kind with the metal frames and you fold it out and you sleep from end to end of the couch. If anyone has any suggestions, please help.

Generasian X · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 50

I'd like to know the same thing actually

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Why would you want one? They`re back-breakers. I have one now in my apartment, and I sleep on the floor instead of on the rack!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

I've been here six years and I've yet to see one that passes as a "futon" in IKEA back home. In fact, when I arrived here to find this out, I kicked myself for being so uneducated and buying into a Scandinavian company's idea of a "futon". I mean, how the heck would they know???

Basically, there are two types of futon: an overfuton (like a very heavy duvet/comforter) and an underfuton (again heavy and like a cross between a duvet/comforter and a western mattress but usually about a few inches thick)

They don't need to fold them into a couch because they are meant to go in the cupboard during the day and not be left out to be used 24/7. They go on the (preferably tatami) floor. In the west, there is no tatami and we hairy barbarians don't pick our bed up daily and hang it out regularly and beat it to a pulp. So, without the frame back home, real futons would rot pretty quickly. Here, the frame is unnecessary because they treat them properly so I'd be very surprised if you find one at all.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

I don't know about Yokohama, but in Tokyo you can find what you're looking for at Otsuka furniture in Shinjuku and Abita-Salone in Kokusai Tenjijo (Odaiba).

Not cheap though!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

It's utterly daft that people want futon frames here. They're bulky things to move, take up precious space in the one room you have to live in, and you might get lazy about beating your futon if you get to fold it into a sofa every morning.

I know - I've got one of the blasted things.

shmooj, you're hilarious!

Scandinavian futon...That's right up there with Japanese whisky!

vash3000 · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 56

You`re suppose to beat your futon?

Shocked

How often?

Or does this, like, vary depending on one`s mood?

V.

Celeste · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 12:32 am Post subject:

Vash-
you should take you futon out on your balcony and beat the dust from it daily, or at least weekly. Then you should leave it outside for at least a few hours so that it can dry out and won't get mould and mildew spores growing in it after you have sweated on it all night. A number of foreign teachers have arrived to mouldy futons in company housing because the previous teacher didn't know how to care for the futon. Personally, I went out and bought a bed. My husband and I have a 2dk and use one of the rooms as a bedroom.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

The only time one of my futons has ever gone bad like that was when I was away for teh whoel summer holiday. Given teh heat and humidity, Im actually impressed that there was anything that didnt go mouldy.

fwiw, I dont beat my futons (much (usually)), but I reckon theyd need replacing after a second year.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Oh, how I loathe my sofa bed thing...I've been dragging the futon off the frame and sleeping on the floor. The frame is a backbreaker.

Beating your footon on a Sunday morning with a wooden practice sword is great exercise.