Visit Japan > wellness > Collect these and sleep soundly! Check out some popular goods for a comfortable sleep.

2013.04.19

Collect these and sleep soundly! Check out
some popular goods for a comfortable sleep.

It's said that 1 out of every 5 people has trouble getting to sleep in Japan. In the past few years, items aimed at providing a good sleep have been getting attention. What items are the most popular? Mixing in some goods that are useful for travel, we will report on the current state of the market for getting a good sleep!
(Top image: sono bom)

Researching top-selling items at “sono bom,”
a store specializing in goods for comfortable sleep

There is a café corner in the shop where you can enjoy herbal tea for 200 yen.

First, we visited a store specializing in items for getting a good sleep, a rarity even in Tokyo. The store sells everything from relaxation CDs to bedding--they have about 1,000 types of items!

When asked about the secret to getting a good sleep, Yamamoto-san, the owner, replied, "To overcome sleeplessness, it’s important to have time to relax before going to bed. I recommend drinking herbal tea, having a fulfilling bath time with bathing powder, or using aroma oils. Arranging your sleeping area through the use of pillows or lighting can also lead to a good sleep."
Recently, there has been an increase in people unable to awaken in the morning, and it seems that advanced alarm clocks are attracting attention, too.

The keyword is “relaxation”!
The top 3 sellers in items for a good rest:

1st: Hugging pillow "Arch Pillow FUN"; 9,900 yen. With a unique, wraparound form, this pillow cradles not only your head and neck, but also your shoulders and arms. This is also great as a body pillow you can use whichever way you turn in your sleep!

2nd: "Leg Angel"; 9,980 yen. These leg pillows reduce swelling. All you have to do is wear them on your calves when you sleep. They are resistant to slipping off, so you can use them throughout the day at home, too!

3rd: "Sleep Sheep Pillow Mist"; 1,575 yen. This is an aroma mist for use on pillows, sheets, and more. You can select the type of sleep your body needs and choose from one of three blends. There are essential blends in the same series for 1,575 yen each. Arobockles, bottle diffusers made of sheep wool felt material, are 1,890 yen each.

You can use these on a plane!
Recommended goods for travel.

“Silencia Flight Air” (Regular) (S-size); 1,155 yen each. These earplugs can reduce discomfort due to changes in pressure, and are also great for blocking out noise!

“Foot step”; 1,050 yen. These are foldable footrests designed for portability. When your feet start to hurt on long flights, you can unfold this item in an instant to create a 10cm footrest.

"Vibrating Foot Relaxer" (For the soles of feet): 1,350 yen. (For use on calves): 1,470 yen. This is a compact foot massage machine. When you attach this and press the switch, it vibrates. Includes functionality to choose from three levels of vibration strength.

Check these out, too!
Items to wake up refreshed.

Sleep Cycle Monitoring Alarm Clock aXbo SINGLE (for one person); 24,980 yen. This item measures your sleep stages from a wrist band and awakens you with optimal timing, up to 30 minutes before your set wakeup time.

"OKIRO Light Alarm Clock"; 19,800 yen. This item becomes gradually lighter, starting 30 minutes before your wakeup time. It helps you to awaken with light the same brightness as the sun, along with an audio alarm.

sono bom

Kaminari-mon Edo Mansion 1F, 1-5-2 Kaminari-mon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-5827-2302
Store Hours: 10AM - 9PM Closed: No set day (generally Wednesdays)
http://sonobom.com

Are pillows the key to good sleep?!
Choose the best pillow for you at "Lofty Pillow Studio"

Pillows: no matter how you look at it, they’re connected to getting a good rest. "Lofty Pillow Studio," a store specializing in pillows with 70 locations nationwide, is investigating that importance. These stores have regularly staffed "Pillow Fitters ®" who conduct consulting for your pillow.
"If your pillow isn't right for you, there will be stress on your neck, shoulders, and back, and you won’t be able to relax. Everyone has a different head shape and body size. Using a pillow that's right for you will lead to a better sleep," says staff member Ms. Orihara.

This is the main store, where you can take your time choosing a pillow in a relaxed atmosphere. There is a selection of 60-70 kinds of pillows.

So what is the secret to getting a good sleep? "The posture that puts the least stress on your body is when you are standing and relaxed. In order to maintain that posture when you are lying down, choose a pillow with a height that doesn't create a gap between your neck/back and mattress."

Choose a pillow that’s right for you!

What do "Pillow Fitters ®" do for pillow consulting?
A staff member from this site experienced the actual process.

1) First, you fill out a consulting sheet. You answer questions such as your general sleeping position, the material of the pillow you are using, and whether you have any allergies.

2) Next, the depth of the curve of your neck is measured. This depth becomes a measure for the height of the pillow. There are five height levels of pillows for good sleep at Lofty. This staff member gets height level 2.

3) The staff member experiences height level 2 when lying down on a bed. The "Pillow Fitter ®" checks the gap between his neck/back and the bed, does things such as removing some of the material from the pillow, and makes adjustments to achieve the best height.

4) When the height is decided, it’ time to select the material. You can select from nine materials, including pipe, feather, buckwheat, and low-resilience urethane foam.

5) "I have brought you a pillow with base 2 height, adjusted so that the sides are high and the middle is a bit lower, with pipe material," says Ms. Orihara. It is also possible to make slight adjustments after your purchase. These pillows for good sleep start at 10,500 yen.

6) How about choosing a pillowcase to go with your new pillow? There are many types to choose from, including highly absorbent pillowcases made from gauze material and pillowcases made from terry cloth, which include odor-eliminating functions. Pillowcases start at 2,100 yen.

Here are some of the good sleep items
at "Lofty Pillow Studio."

“Body Pillow Selection S-Type.” This is a body pillow that stabilizes the sleep posture of those who sleep on their side. There is also the “I-Type,” for those who sleep on their stomachs, and the “C-Type,” for those who sleep curled up. Each of the three sizes starts at 16,800 yen.

“Beauty Pillow” (in three colors); 3,150 yen each. Wrap these pillows around your neck at times when you're doing things like propping your head on a pillow and reading a book. You can keep a position in which there is little stress on your neck.

"Foot Pillow" (in three colors); 5,775 yen each. By placing your feet into the concave portions, you can soothe your tired feet. Aside from when you sleep, you can use these when you're reading as well.

Lofty Pillow Factory Main Store

Sankyo Saiko Sunrise Building B1F, 11-12 Nihombashi Tomizawa-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3663-5050 Store Hours: 10AM-5PM
Closed: Saturday, Sunday, Holidays (sometimes open on Saturdays)
*The main store's consulting is completely appointment-based
http://www.lofty.co.jp/

A sure bet!
Get an elegant rest in a hotel room.

In the past few years, there has been a continual increase in Tokyo hotels that present sleeping environments that contribute to getting a good rest. Within those hotels, the "Royal Asleep Room" at "Royal Park Shiodome Tower" is especially popular.

The rooms are a spacious 57 square meters. Included are non-caffeinated herbal tea for before bed and mineral water to rehydrate you after you awaken.

The concept is "leading you to a restful sleep with the five senses." The beds feature Super Flex Fit Mattresses, which are good both to disperse body pressure and for those who toss and turn. The calf area features a function to deliver 1/f vibration, and aromas can help you relax as you get to sleep. Before your wakeup time, lights attached to the head boards gradually get brighter, and a refreshing aroma is dispersed. Additionally, the sound of small birds chirping plays.
A luxurious hotel room that uses an automated system to help you get a good rest, from the time you sleep to the time you awaken. How about trying it out on your next trip?

Royal Park Shiodome Tower

1-6-3 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-6253-1111 (Representative)
Room Rates: Royal Asleep Room, 1 Night with Breakfast, 18,400 yen/person (until September 30, 2013) *Includes tax and service costs. Room rates vary.
http://www.rps-tower.co.jp/

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