Robert La Ferla wrote:
> I just purchased a futon set (shikibuton mattress, kakebuton comforter 
> and pillow case) in Tokyo and had it shipped to the US.  I bought mine 
> at Tokyu Hands (Shinjuku) and they packaged it up and Takashimaya 
> shipped it via UPS to me.  I was astounded by how quick it came.  It 
> arrived in a few days.

I'd be very interested in hearing more about this -the costs, what kind 
of futon it was and most of all.... how it feels sleeping on it!

I did some browsing around at the Tokyu hands websites 
(http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp), but haven't found anything so far 
concerning futons (it might have something to do with my lacking 
Japanese language skills ;-)


> The biggest problem and I suspect it is not a 
> problem with Norway is that the US does not allow any items with any 
> amount of wool to be exported.  I had to switch to a non-wool 
> shikibuton.

Hmmmm... never given this any thought. I'll have to check this with the 
customs department.



> I don't have the prices offhand (a few hundred 
> or so) but even with shipping, we ended up with a superior quality futon 
> for the same or lower than in the US.

Please do post again here when you've found the total and individual 
cost of those items.

Were you lucky enough to escape any import duties/taxes as well? That's 
a real bummer here, which I'll have to add to the total cost before I 
decide to go for it or not.


> I purchased a soba pillow from 
> the Internet (in the US) to complete the set.  BTW - Most futons sold in 
> the US are not futons but rather cheap simple wood frame sofabeds.  Real 
> futons can be found but they are pricey and the selection and quality is 
> limited.

Probably the same thing as here.
They're not exactly common here -I haven't heard of anyone sleeping on 
the floor except for the occasional short-term guest in a place where 
they don't have an extra bed, or a fold-out bed.
I'd much rather prefer a Japanese futon mattress than one of those 
terrible camping fold-out beds though!


-- 
Hallvard