While many Western couples view sharing a bed as a sign of closeness, many married couples in Japan choose to sleep apart—and not for reasons of marital trouble. Instead, this practice is rooted in a cultural emphasis on respecting personal space, prioritizing sleep quality, and ensuring family harmony.
Protecting Each Other’s Sleep Schedules
One of the biggest reasons Japanese couples opt for separate beds or even separate bedrooms is to avoid disrupting each other’s sleep. With Japan’s demanding work culture, partners often have different schedules, meaning one might come home late while the other needs to wake up early. Sleeping separately ensures that both individuals get uninterrupted rest without being disturbed by alarms, late-night arrivals, or movements during the night.
A Strong Emphasis on Sleep Quality
Unlike in some cultures where sleeping in the same bed is an expectation, Japanese couples prioritize high-quality sleep. Research has shown that uninterrupted rest is essential for both mental and physical well-being, and many people in Japan take this seriously. Issues like snoring, tossing and turning, or differences in sleeping preferences (such as temperature or mattress firmness) make sleeping separately a practical and preferred choice for many.
The Family Dynamic: Sleeping Near Children
Another important aspect of Japanese sleep culture is co-sleeping with children, especially newborns and toddlers. It’s common for Japanese mothers to sleep alongside their babies, a practice that studies have suggested can promote better infant sleep patterns, regulated body temperature, and reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This arrangement can lead to fathers sleeping in a different room, further normalizing the idea of separate sleeping spaces.
A Common Practice, Especially Among Older Couples
Statistics support this cultural trend. According to a Japanese study, 26% of married couples living in Tokyo apartments sleep in separate rooms, and the number is even higher for couples over 60, with 40% choosing not to share a bed. For older couples, factors such as different sleep needs, medical conditions, and the desire for personal space play a role in this decision.
Prioritizing Rest Over Tradition
While in some cultures, separate sleeping arrangements might be seen as a sign of relationship problems, in Japan, it’s a practical solution for better sleep. Couples recognize that being well-rested can improve mood, health, and even the quality of their relationship during waking hours.
In the end, getting a good night’s sleep matters more than following societal norms, and for many Japanese couples, that means sleeping apart.
