Hotels with Baby Futon Rental

At hotels where you sleep on a futon laid out on tatami flooring, putting a baby on an adult-sized futon raises worries about the baby sinking into the soft padding or even suffocating, and co-sleeping means being extra careful about positioning. A thin, firmer baby futon, sized just for an infant, eases those concerns considerably.

Hotels that offer baby futon rentals let the whole family sleep together on tatami or in a Japanese/Western-style room, laid out side by side in a row, a traditional Japanese sleeping arrangement sometimes called kawa-no-ji, after the shape of the character for "river." Unlike a crib, there are no side rails, but because the futon sits low to the floor, it works well from the crawling stage through the cruising stage, when babies walk while holding on to furniture, and suits families who want to co-sleep. Many also come with a gentle, skin-friendly cover, which parents appreciate for sensitive skin.

Hotels that clearly state they offer baby futon rentals are still limited in number. Even at the same hotel, the number of futons available can differ by plan or room, so confirming the quantity, whether the hotel specifies an eligible age in months, and whether it comes as a set with a base futon at the time of booking helps you avoid scrambling on the day. Some hotels also require advance reservation a few days ahead, so it's best to ask early.