They say, "Spring sleep brings no awakening," but no matter how much sleep I get, I am not only unrefreshed but also troubled by a stiff neck upon waking up. The cause is probably because I recently changed my pillow to match the cover.... I decided to try making a "custom-made pillow," which I had been curious about for a long time, because I thought I would surely lose my health if I didn't.


A custom-made pillow can be made for less than 10,000 yen!

By the way, I have an image that custom-made pillows are quite expensive, costing more than 20,000 yen. It is understandable if you think of it as something you will use for a long time, but it seems a little high hurdle for someone who has never used it before.

While doing some research, I found "PILLOWY cafe". I found PILLOWY cafe, where custom-made pillows can be made from 9,800 yen (tax not included), which is much more reasonable than the market price. The shop is operated by Tokyo Nishikawa, a bedding manufacturer, so you can trust the quality of the pillows.

◆"PILLOWY cafe" at Atre Meg uro

So, I visited the Atre Meguro store immediately.


The store is located on the 4th floor where MUJI and other clothing and sundry goods stores are located. It is not easy to visit the bedding section of a department store, but here it is easy to stop by even on the way home from work.

A display in the store explains the ordering process. There seems to be quite a variety of materials and colors to choose from.


Let's start making your own pillow!

The staff led me to the back of the store. There, a dreamy bed awaited us! It seems that measurements and trials are done here.



First, while measuring the shape of your head with a special device, you will discuss your current pillow and sleep problems.

Next, you will decide on the material and height while actually lying down and trying it out. There are seven types of materials, from urethane to buckwheat hulls. The firmness preferences are often based on assumptions, and you may find that something unexpected feels right after trying them out all at once. However, it is not good for your neck to make a drastic change from the pillow you are currently using.

After deciding on the material, a sheet was placed at the base of the neck to adjust the height; even a 0.5 mm difference could make it feel tight, making us realize that this is a very sensitive area. We also placed a sheet in the back of the head to adjust the "line of sight" when lying on one's back. The correct line of sight is not directly above you, but slightly forward. I had never thought so before!


Finally, the height of the pillow is adjusted at both ends for the side sleeping position. After checking if you can turn over smoothly, the measurement is complete. While I was listening to the explanation of the manager, who knows everything about sleep, the test was over in about 15 minutes.


And here comes the most fun (?) part! Customization time! You can choose the color of the pillowcase and inner cover from several different colors.


Note that the inside of the pillow has several parts connected with snaps, and each of them is adjusted to the height measured earlier. They will attach a spare piece of the same material so you can fine-tune it at home after you take it home. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, they also offer free maintenance support for the first six months after purchase.


Once everything is decided, you will receive the finished product in about 30 minutes. Since you can take it home the same day it is made, you can really use it as a "side trip" to shopping.

This time, we were given a special opportunity to see the process of making the product on the spot.


The best time to visit is on weekday mornings, and men are also welcome.

In addition, the store sells pillowcases, bedding, towels, and other miscellaneous items. While we were waiting, we couldn't help but want to have a look....



The usual turnaround time from visit to pickup is about 50 minutes, but the store is crowded in the afternoon on weekends, so it is recommended to visit in the morning on weekdays. Men are also allowed to use the store, and many come as soon as the store opens... (I understand how they feel). I think the number of men who are particular about their bedding is increasing," says the manager. They also offer gift tickets here, so you might want to give one to your husband and have him visit the store with you.

◆I look forward to sleeping more and more

By the way, the actual sleeping comfort is totally different from before! My neck is no longer stiff and to my delight, I wake up refreshed in the morning. I will not be without it for a while, and I am planning to make an even more luxurious pillow....

In spring, when new life begins, we tend to accumulate stress without realizing it. Why don't you review your bedding so that you can get a good night's sleep to relieve the stress?