In Japan, it's common for married couples to sleep in separate bedrooms or beds, and this trend is culturally accepted rather than stigmatized.
A survey in Tokyo found about 35% of couples would move out of their partner’s bedroom if they had the space; 14% already do.
Space constraints in compact urban housing make separate sleeping arrangements practical and efficient.
Sleep quality is a major factor: differing schedules, snoring, or restlessness can disturb sleep, so separate beds offer better rest.
Long work hours and mismatched routines in Japan accentuate the need for undisturbed sleep.
Co-sleeping with infants is common in Japanese families, which often leads fathers to sleep separately—this normalizes solo sleeping early on.
Among older couples, up to 40% in Japan sleep separately, often due to differing sleep needs or health conditions.
Separate sleep is seen not as a sign of marital trouble but as a strategy to avoid nightly disturbances and maintain harmony.
This arrangement supports better health and mental well-being, thanks to improved rest.
Culturally, Japan values personal space and respect for individual routines, which supports the practice of separate sleeping.
Even if couples sleep in different rooms, a deep familial connection can persist—Japanese homes with futons allow closeness even when not physically together.
In contrast, “sleep divorce” in Western contexts can still foster intimacy and relationship satisfaction when framed positively.
Separate sleeping can sometimes be a bourgeois practice, tied to those who can afford larger homes or additional rooms.
For couples without extra space, simple fixes like earplugs, white noise, eye masks, or flexible sleep routines can mimic the benefits of separate rest.