What Is a Shikibuton?
A shikibuton (敷布団) is the bottom layer of a traditional Japanese bed. It's a thin, firm mattress laid directly on a tatami floor at night and folded or rolled away in the morning, freeing up the room for daytime use. A full set includes the shikibuton, a kakebuton (comforter) and a makura (pillow).
| Feature | Typical Shikibuton |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 2"–4" |
| Fill | Cotton, wool, polyester, foam or a blend |
| Feel | Firm |
| Use | On tatami or a mat on the floor |
| Storage | Folds in thirds or rolls up |
Shikibuton vs. Western Futon
| Shikibuton | Western Futon | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 2"–4" | 6"–8" |
| Used on | Floor or tatami | Sofa-bed frame |
| Daytime | Folded away | Folded into a sofa |
| Feel | Firm | Medium-firm |
| Weight | Light | Heavier |
If you're looking for a sofa-frame futon mattress, see our best futon mattress guide.
Our Top Shikibuton-Style Picks
None of our affiliate brands sells a traditional cotton shikibuton, but several products work well for floor sleeping in the same spirit.
- Firm support with a softer top, per EGOHOME
- Trial: See EGOHOME's current terms
- Warranty: See EGOHOME's current terms
- Medium
- Trial: 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period)
- Warranty: 10-year limited
- Soft to Extra-Firm (five options listed when we checked)
- Trial: Not returnable once opened, per PlushBeds
- Warranty: 5-year limited
Floor Bed Options Reviewed
EGOHOME Tri-Fold Topper: Best Folding Foam Floor Bed
Best for: Floor beds, sleepovers, camping and occasional guests
| Type | Folding foam pad |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 3" or 4" |
| Sizes | Single (75" x 25") to king |
| Foam | Gel AeroFusion Foam over firmer BraceSleeper Foam |
| Cover | Jacquard |
| Firmness | Firm support with a softer top, per EGOHOME |
| Trial | See EGOHOME's current terms |
| Warranty | See EGOHOME's current terms |
- Folds into thirds for storage
- Works on the floor or on top of an old mattress
- Single and twin sizes sit at the very bottom of the price range
- Not a replacement for a full mattress for nightly adult use
- Only 3 or 4 inches thick
The Tri-Fold is the closest thing in our lineup to a shikibuton: a 3- or 4-inch mattress that folds into thirds and stores away each morning. It uses a softer gel foam top over firmer support foam, so it's a little more forgiving than a cotton shikibuton. Sizes run from a single (75 x 25 inches) to king.
EGOHOME Dreamer: Best Low-Profile Mattress
Best for: Guest rooms, kids' rooms, dorms and tight budgets
| Type | All-foam |
|---|---|
| Heights | 6", 8" or 10" |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Foam | Green tea-infused Gel AeroFusion Foam |
| Sizes | Twin to California king |
| Trial | 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period) |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
| Made in | USA with imported fabric |
- EGOHOME's lowest-priced mattress line
- Three heights, so you can match a bunk, daybed or full-size bed
- Same 100-night trial and 10-year warranty as EGOHOME's pricier lines
- One medium feel
- Thinner profiles are best for lighter sleepers and occasional use
If you like a floor bed but want more cushioning, a 6-inch Dreamer on a slatted base or tatami gives you a low-profile bed with more give. It doesn't fold away, so it suits a dedicated bedroom.
PlushBeds Organic Latex Topper: Best Natural Latex Layer
Best for: Most sleepers who want natural, durable cushioning or firmness, with the widest firmness choice
| Type | Organic latex topper |
|---|---|
| Material | GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex |
| Thickness | 2" or 3" |
| Firmness | Soft to Extra-Firm (five options listed when we checked) |
| Sizes | Twin to Cal King |
| Cover | Optional GOTS organic cotton cover, sold separately |
| Certifications | GOLS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold |
| Trial | Not returnable once opened, per PlushBeds |
| Warranty | 5-year limited |
- Widest firmness range of the toppers we cover, from Soft to Extra-Firm
- Certified organic latex with ventilation holes for airflow
- Can soften a firm bed or firm up a soft one, depending on the firmness you choose
- Not returnable once opened, so choose firmness carefully
- Cover is an extra purchase
- Latex is heavy compared with foam toppers
For people who want natural materials, an organic latex topper on a firm base is a floor-sleeping option with resilient support. It's heavier than a cotton shikibuton and doesn't fold as easily, but latex doesn't compress like cotton.
Our top pick is the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss: certified organic latex in Medium or Medium-Firm, with a comfort exchange if you need it.
View Botanical BlissHow to Choose a Shikibuton
Fill
| Fill | Feel | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Firm | Traditional; breathable | Compresses; needs regular airing |
| Wool | Firm; warm | Regulates temperature; resists moisture | Heavier; costs more |
| Cotton and wool | Firm | Balance of both | Moderate weight |
| Polyester | Medium-firm | Light; low cost | Less breathable |
| Foam core | Medium | Even support; doesn't flatten as fast | Less traditional; can trap heat |
| Latex core | Resilient | Durable | Heavy; harder to fold |
Thickness
Thinner shikibutons (2 to 3 inches) are more traditional and easier to fold. Thicker ones (3 to 4 inches or more) are more comfortable for Western sleepers who are new to floor sleeping.
Size
Japanese sizes differ from US sizes. Many US sellers offer twin, full and queen. Check the listing's dimensions.
Tatami Mats and Shikibutons
Tatami mats are woven rush-grass mats over a firm core, traditionally used as flooring in Japanese rooms. They give a shikibuton a slightly springy, breathable base.
| Base | Airflow | Feel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tatami | Good | Slightly springy | Traditional; absorbs moisture |
| Slatted floor base | Very good | Firm | Lets air circulate underneath |
| Rug or mat | Fair | Depends on rug | Air out often |
| Bare hard floor | Poor | Very firm | Highest moisture risk |
Tatami needs care too: keep it dry, vacuum along the weave and avoid heavy furniture that leaves dents.
Is Floor Sleeping Right for You?
| Good Fit | Poor Fit |
|---|---|
| Back sleepers who like firm beds | Side sleepers with shoulder or hip pain |
| Small spaces | People who find it hard to get up from the floor |
| Minimalist rooms | Damp rooms without airflow |
| People who move often | Anyone with mobility problems |
Many people who try floor sleeping start with a thicker shikibuton or a topper and adjust over time. If you have back, hip or knee trouble, check with a clinician before switching. See our guide to the best type of mattress for lower back pain.
Caring for a Shikibuton
- Fold it away or prop it up each morning to let it breathe.
- Air it in the sun or by an open window regularly to dry it and freshen the fill.
- Beat or shake it to redistribute cotton fill.
- Use a removable cover you can wash.
- Rotate it so wear is even.
- Check underneath for moisture or mold, especially on hard floors.
Building a Japanese-Style Bed Set
| Piece | Japanese Name | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Floor mattress | Shikibuton | The sleeping surface |
| Comforter | Kakebuton | Top layer; warmth |
| Pillow | Makura | Traditionally filled with buckwheat hulls or beans |
| Mattress cover | Shikifu / cover | Protects the shikibuton |
| Floor mat | Tatami | Breathable base |
You don't need every piece. Many Western floor sleepers use a shikibuton with their usual pillow and duvet.
Easing Into Floor Sleeping
Going from a thick Western mattress to a 3-inch floor bed can be a big change. A gradual approach helps:
- Start with naps or a few nights a week.
- Use a thicker shikibuton or add a 2-inch topper at first.
- Experiment with pillow height. Firm floor beds often need a lower pillow for back sleepers and a firmer one for side sleepers.
- Keep your old mattress until you're sure.
- Notice how you feel in the morning. Stiffness that doesn't ease after a couple of weeks is a sign floor sleeping may not suit you.
Shikibutons for Guests and Small Spaces
A shikibuton is a practical guest bed: it stores in a closet, unrolls in seconds and sleeps firmer and more stable than an air mattress. It also works in studio apartments, kids' rooms for sleepovers and meditation or yoga rooms. For guests who prefer a softer bed, a foam floor mattress may be more comfortable. See our foldable floor mattress guide.
Shikibuton vs. Other Floor Beds
| Floor Bed | Thickness | Feel | Folds Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton shikibuton | 2"–4" | Firm | Yes |
| Tri-fold foam mattress | 3"–6" | Medium-firm | Yes |
| Roll-up foam pad | 1"–3" | Firm | Yes |
| Low foam mattress | 6"+ | Medium | No |
| Air mattress | 6"–22" | Adjustable | Deflates |
Thinking of a floor setup? Read can you put a mattress on the floor?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Shikibuton?
A shikibuton is a traditional Japanese floor mattress, usually 2 to 4 inches thick and filled with cotton, wool or foam. It's laid out at night and folded away during the day.
Is a Shikibuton the Same as a Futon?
In Japan, futon refers to the bedding set, including the shikibuton (mattress) and kakebuton (comforter). In the West, futon usually means a sofa-bed mattress, which is thicker and used on a frame.
Do You Need a Tatami Mat Under a Shikibuton?
Not required, but recommended. Tatami or a slatted base lets air circulate under the mattress and reduces moisture build-up on hard floors.
Is Sleeping on a Shikibuton Good for Your Back?
Some people find the firm, flat surface comfortable, especially back sleepers. Side sleepers and people with joint pain may find it too firm. There's little research specific to floor sleeping, so go by your own comfort.
How Do You Prevent Mold Under a Shikibuton?
Fold it away or air it out daily, use tatami or a slatted base, and dry it in the sun or by a window regularly.
How Thick Is a Shikibuton?
Usually 2 to 4 inches. Thicker Western-style versions may be up to 5 or 6 inches.
The Bottom Line
A shikibuton is a thin, firm Japanese floor mattress that folds away each morning. Choose cotton or wool for a traditional feel, foam for even support, and use tatami or a slatted base to keep it dry. If you want a foam take on the idea, the EGOHOME Tri-Fold folds into thirds like a shikibuton with a softer top.