The Japanese are widely known for their long working hours and getting very little sleep when compared to rest of the world. This is because they are used to a culture of taking short naps while at work or commuting long hours to and from work. However, this does not stop them from being productive or getting a good and comfortable sleep.
As alarming as their sleep timings are, the surface they sleep on is fascinating too. Unlike many western countries, the Japanese sleep on the floor. They use thin cotton beds called futons. These beds are foldable and can be laid out wherever required. So, when it’s time to sleep, the beds come out and the Japanese get a full night’s sleep on a comparatively hard surface.
Many Japanese still follow the tradition of using Tatami mats for their flooring. These are woven straw mats used to line the floor of a room. The futon beds – either handmade or machine made in recent times, are laid on these Tatami mats in whichever angle they find comfortable.
So, how exactly are the Japanese sleeping habits different from that of the westerners? Read on to find out:
These sleeping habits followed by the Japanese help them get a good sleep in the limited time they have. Read more about How Japanese sleep and why should we adopt their habits to know how we can benefit from their practices.