Cardboard beds, since they can be easily and compactly stored, quickly set up and dismantled, can really come in handy during emergencies. Designated shelters often have them on hand. The object of international media attention at a famous international sporting event that took place in Japan last year, cardboard beds are also sturdy, not to mention providing a convenient and environmentally sound solution for temporary living arrangements.
Nevertheless, for all their advantages, many cardboard beds commercially available on the Japanese market, while usually cheaper than non-cardboard beds, can be surprisingly costly.
Japanese company 株式会社アース段ボール Asu Danbōru Co Ltd (Best Carton), which specializes in cardboard boxes, is now selling a cardboard bed for 5,940 JPY (tax included), which is around $50 USD (exchange rates at the time of writing), with free delivery in Japan included on their Rakuten store. In their press release, the company claims that this is one of the cheapest beds now available on the Japanese market.



Background
Japan's Disaster Relief Law stipulates that evacuation shelters must be set up within 7 days of the occurrence of a disaster, so the company used this as a guideline to create the cheapest cardboard bed with the minimum necessary contents.
The size of the bed, 183 cm x 99 cm x 30 cm, is slightly smaller than the standard size of a single bed. However, in a one-week durability test with a man 175 cm tall weighing 80 kg, there were no problems.
Made from repurposed moving boxes
The price of producing a box specifically for a bed is inevitably high. In this case, Asu Danboru was able to keep the price down by repurposing boxes designed for moving and using them for the base. Moreover, after dismantling the beds, the boxes forming the base can be then be used to transport materials from the shelter.
No waste
When the cardboard beds are delivered, keep the outer packing box, since it can be used as an L-shaped partition. As shown in the image below, all you need to do is cut along the glued seams. Having a partition allows you to maintain privacy, which is an important aspect of spending time in an emergency shelter.

Two-layer top boards for durability
Although very strong AAA-tier (15 mm thick) cardboard panels are ideal to support weight, they are expensive. To cut costs and increase durability, the company stacked two W/F (8mm thick) panels, which are less costly and are more sturdy than a single AAA-tier panel.
Product information

Name: Easy cardboard bed
Dimensions (assembled): 990 mm wide x 1830 mm long x 316 mm high
Weight: 10.8 kgs
Components: Outer box (partition), tape, 6 panels, 9 large boxes, 3 medium boxes
Price: 5,490 yen (tax included), free delivery*
Product page on Rakuten
- You will need to go through a forwarding service like Buyee or White Rabbit Express to have it delivered overseas.
Read more stories from grape Japan.
-- Tatami-za: Modular furniture lets you enjoy tatami reed flooring and storage in any home
-- Japanese horror haikyo escape game is set in the ruins of an abandoned hotel
-- Hamazushi releases first ever apparel collection in collaboration with fashion brand Adastria
- External Link
- https://grapee.jp/en/
18 Comments
Login to comment
Michael Machida
It's cheap because it's not a bed. It's a box made of cardboard.
Joe
Good idea, but expensive!
you can buy a futon set with pillow and duvet for same price and that can be washed.
bearandrodent
Almost 6000 yen for a bunch or cardboard boxes? Wouldn't it be much cheaper if you just bought the boxes, and made it look the photo?
Mickelicious
Cheap, my hat.
No it's not. 'Delivery included' is honest.
'Free delivery' is a porkie pie.
Sanjinosebleed
Just buy boxes which is what they are for about 1/10 of the price!
Jessie Lee
New business idea.....the bento box bed constructed of used and discarded bento boxes. The down side is you have to pick some rice out of your hair and get a lingering odor of soya sauce....but these are minor details
Reckless
Sad. It has come to this.
NAM
This is very homeless chic.
BackpackingNepal
Good laugh to nice humour!
Next what Japan? It's not shoes, it's not slippers but it's sole that people can walk on!?
HBJ
Why not cut the cost in half by making it half the height/depth?
In fact, why not just do away with the boxes completely and just use the cardboard sheets directly on the floor?
JeffLee
Cots at Walmart in the US are cheaper. They don't require mattresses, since the fabric is held by springs, and fold up to conserve space.
Hiro
A futon is cheaper and way more comfortable.
Joe Blow
"I give you: Derelicte!"
Vreth
If I was paying that much for cardboard boxes I'd expect them to have premium melon or budou inside.
Bungle
Loot the supermarket for used cardboard boxes and make your own? No good if you are incontenent or sweat like a pig, though.
Reckless
I guess the next step is just to sleep nude on the grass. So much for progress.