In different countries, sleep habits and preferences vary greatly.
For instance, while Chinese families generally use more comfortable mattresses, in Japan, it is traditionally more common for people to sleep on the floor.
This phenomenon is often depicted in Japanese anime and dramas. Although this is not an absolute rule, as many Japanese households do have beds, the majority of Japanese people still prefer to sleep on the floor.
So, which is more comfortable: sleeping on a bed or on the floor?
Japan is an island nation with a small land area but a dense population, with a population density of 338 people per square kilometer, making it the second most densely populated country in the world, just behind Bangladesh.
Most Japanese people live in coastal areas, leading to a scarcity of land resources.
The per capita living space in Japan is relatively small. Excluding shared areas and balconies, the average living space is only 36 square meters.
In big cities, the per capita living space is further reduced to about 25 square meters, and housing prices are extremely high. With a budget of around 4 million yen, one can only afford a house of about 40 square meters in the city.
Due to limited space, Japanese people have to make full use of every inch of their homes.
If a bed is purchased, it could take up a large portion of the room, reducing the space available for other household activities.
To maximize space utilization, many Japanese families choose to store their bedding during the day, turning the bedroom into a living room.
Thus, sleeping on the floor becomes a practical choice.
In Japanese anime and dramas, we also see that many households have minimal furniture, typically low tables and cushions, making the floor-based lifestyle more convenient and practical.
The high cost of living in Japan, including expensive housing and living expenses, also influences household choices.
As a country with a well-developed fishing industry but limited arable land, Japan relies heavily on imports for fruits, vegetables, and industrial raw materials.
This reliance results in higher prices for vegetables and fruits, making the cost of living particularly high for young people.
In everyday life, Japanese people are usually very frugal, avoiding waste and preparing just enough food to eat.
Fast food in Japan costs around 30 to 40 RMB, and public transportation is also more expensive than in China.
The high cost of living prompts Japanese families to minimize expenses as much as possible.
As a result, Japanese home layouts and decorations are usually simple, with common combinations being wooden floors and tatami mats.
This arrangement reduces the need for furniture; there's no need to purchase extra chairs, and after moving the table, it's easy to lay out bedding, saving the cost of buying beds and mattresses.
When renting a house in Japan, the property usually doesn't come with furniture or appliances, meaning that everything needs to be purchased separately, which is especially important for young people just entering the city.
The habit of sleeping on the floor in Japan is not only a lifestyle choice but is also influenced by cultural traditions.
This habit originated from ancient China, where people during the Sui and Tang dynasties were accustomed to sleeping on the floor, a tradition that later spread to Japan.
When Jianzhen crossed over to Japan, he brought many aspects of Chinese culture with him, allowing this tradition to be preserved and developed into a cultural habit in Japan.
The practice of sleeping on the floor has a history of about 1,300 years in Japan.
While many Japanese households have started using beds during the modernization process, tatami mats still hold a traditional place.
Tatami mats are significant in Japanese culture, being used not only for resting but also for dining.
Tatami has a long history of use in Japan, initially being a luxury item for the nobility until the Edo period when it became widely used by ordinary families.
Even in modern times, many Japanese restaurants still retain the tradition of tatami, with waitstaff often wearing kimonos while serving guests.
Sleeping on tatami mats has certain health benefits.
Tatami mats are typically made from natural materials such as bamboo and grass, offering moderate firmness.
The natural fragrance released by these materials helps relax the body and mind, easing anxiety.
Compared to the chemical materials used in modern furniture, tatami mats are less likely to release harmful substances like formaldehyde.
Modern mattresses often include springs, which increase comfort but may also lead to insufficient support, potentially affecting health, especially for office workers with lumbar issues.
Japan experiences frequent earthquakes, with 329 earthquakes occurring within five days last September.
To reduce the damage caused by earthquakes, many Japanese families simplify their furniture to minimize potential injury during a disaster.
Sleeping on the floor allows for quicker detection of seismic movements, facilitating faster evacuation, whereas the sensitivity on a bed is lower.
Most modern beds are made of wood, which can easily collapse during an earthquake, causing secondary injuries.
Japan's warm and humid climate makes mattresses prone to dampness, leading to rusted springs and mold growth, which can affect both the lifespan of the mattress and the user's health.
Damp mattresses can trigger rheumatism and skin allergies, especially in humid climates.
In contrast, the materials used in tatami mats can absorb excess moisture from the air, reducing the growth of mold and mites.
Many tatami mats also come with moisture-proof layers, making them easier to maintain and clean, keeping the room dry and comfortable.
The habit of sleeping on the floor in Japan is not only about saving space and money but also a continuation of history and culture.
Although some Japanese people have begun using beds in the process of urbanization, most still prefer to sleep on the floor.
Similar habits are also preserved in regions like Korea, influenced by ancient cultural traditions.
In contrast, the habit of using elevated furniture in China has gradually led to a separation of modern lifestyles from traditional sleep habits.
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