FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the official international store?

Yes. shop.ofutonkobo.com is the official international store of OFUTON KOBO, operated by KAWAGUCHISEIKEN CO., LTD., the authorized international retailer. Our official international website, www.ofutonkobo.com, introduces our workshop, our people and each shikibuton in detail.

Is this futon really made in Japan?

Yes. Every OFUTON KOBO shikibuton is sewn, inspected and finished in our own workshop in Oyama, Tochigi, Japan. The manufacturer, OFUTON KOBO Co., Ltd., holds futon manufacturer certification No. K2600190003, issued by the Japan Futon Manufacturers' Co-operative, of which it is a member. Its certified processes are cotton preparation and fiber refinement (K2104190001), futon sewing (K2107190005), futon manufacturing (K2105190002) and planning and retail (K2106190004). OFUTON KOBO Co., Ltd. is also a J∞QUALITY member company.

What is the difference between HIMARI and SORA?

HIMARI is our Japanese household standard: about 10 cm of loft with a balanced, medium-firm feel — the traditional everyday Japanese feel — on a breathable support core for everyday floor sleep. SORA is our 150th anniversary limited edition and our flagship model: fuller and thicker at about 12 cm of loft, with a 50% wool blend, a feel that suits sleepers used to a Western mattress. SORA was renewed in May 2026, with calm gray piping on all four edges; orders dispatched from May 2026 are the renewed edition. Both are made in our workshop in Oyama, Japan.

Which size should I choose?

100 cm is the Japanese Standard Single — the width you sleep on at a traditional Japanese inn. 120 cm is the Comfort Single, with more room to turn. 140 cm is the Extra-Wide Single: the most generous width for one sleeper, and comfortable for two sleepers of smaller build. HIMARI comes in all three widths; SORA in 100 and 140 cm. In Australia, only the 100 cm width can be shipped, so the 100 cm Japanese Standard Single is the only size offered there — a shipping limitation, not a product limitation.

Can I use it on a bed frame?

Yes. A shikibuton works on the floor, on tatami, or on a slatted or platform bed frame. Please measure your frame first: HIMARI is 210 cm long and SORA is 200 cm long.

How is it shipped, and how long does it take?

We dispatch your order from Japan by Japan Post EMS within 2 business days of the order. Shipping is included in the price. After dispatch, delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days to Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam, and 10 to 14 business days to all other destinations.

Will I have to pay customs or import duties?

Possibly. Import duties or taxes charged by your country are not included in the price and are payable by the recipient, and amounts vary by destination. If you are charged, we contribute the first US$20 towards it, as a fixed equivalent in your order's currency: email info@ofutonkobo.com the customs or carrier receipt together with your order number within 60 days of delivery, and we refund that amount. This applies in every destination we ship to, including the United States.

Can I return my shikibuton?

Yes, within the window your local law sets. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we take responsibility for it, including the return shipping. If the package is still unopened in its hygiene seal, you can send it back within that window — 14 days in the EU and the United Kingdom, 5 business days in Mexico, and 7 days where the law sets none — and the return shipping to Japan is paid by the buyer. Once the seal has been opened we cannot accept a change-of-mind return, a comfort-preference exchange or a size change, and we do not offer trial periods. Please see our refund policy for the terms that apply to your country; nothing in this policy limits your statutory rights.

How do I care for it?

Lift or fold the shikibuton away each morning so the underside and the floor can dry, and air both sides and turn and rotate it every one to two weeks in dry weather. Do not machine-wash or soak it: clean a surface stain locally and dry the area completely before use.

How long does a shikibuton last, and when do you replace it?

In Japan, a shikibuton cared for that way is usually replaced every three to four years. That is a household habit rather than a warranty: the filling compresses slowly. The simplest test is thickness — HIMARI is about 10 cm when new and SORA about 12 cm, and once the spot you sleep on has settled to around 7–8 cm and no longer recovers after airing, most Japanese households change it. Used occasionally, in a guest room, one lasts considerably longer. We publish no weight limit, because we have no test data that would make that number honest. Full care guidance is on www.ofutonkobo.com.

Who makes OFUTON KOBO futons?

Our family business began in 1873 as a cotton shop in Tokyo. Today HIMARI and SORA are made in our workshop in Oyama, Tochigi, led by Nakajō Yūsuke, the fifth generation.

Which countries do you ship to?

We ship to selected destinations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Gulf, including Vietnam. If your country appears at checkout, we can ship to you.

Still have a question? Write to us at info@ofutonkobo.com — we reply in English, within one to two business days, Monday to Friday, Japan time.