5 Japanese Table Lamps for Your Bedside Table

Creating a comfortable bedroom environment is crucial for a good night's sleep. Just as important as your bed and pillows is the right lighting. Japanese table lamps, imbued with the essence of "wabi-sabi," bring a sense of tranquility and calm to your bedroom. However, searching online for the perfect Japanese table lamp for your bedside can be overwhelming. This article presents 5 carefully selected Japanese lamps ideal for your bedside, featuring dimming functions, touch controls, and compact sizes perfect for bedside tables. We'll also guide you on how to use your bedside lamp to enhance your sleep quality. Let's find your perfect Japanese table lamp and wake up refreshed every morning.

 

Japanese Table Lamps for a Restful Sleep

When choosing a bedside lamp, functionality, size, and ease of use from the comfort of your bed are just as important as design. Portability might also be a priority if you envision using your lamp in different settings. Let's explore the features and functions of these Japanese table lamps to find your ideal bedside companion.

1. Japanese Paper Table Lamp “TORCHIN SQUARE”

The Japanese Paper Table Lamp "TORCHIN SQUARE" offers a perfect balance of design, functionality, usability, and portability, making it an ideal bedside lamp. As a rechargeable portable lamp, it's perfect for those who want to enjoy their favorite lamp throughout the day, from relaxing in the living room to bedtime in the bedroom.  The top of the lampshade, crafted with traditional Yame-chochin techniques, features a 3-level dimming touch button for effortless control from your bed. The TORCHIN series offers five variations in shape, so explore beyond the SQUARE to find your perfect match.

Specifications

Price: $140
Sizes: Height20.3cm(7.9in) × Width10.0cm(3.9in)  
Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Operating Current: 200mA (at maximum brightness)
Charging Method: USB C-A (Fast charging and USB PD not supported)
Review:

"I love this lamp so much! I used it for my Thanksgiving table design and it was perfect. I love the size and the fact that I didn't need to plug it into an outlet source! The touch to turn feature is also such a nice design tough. Very minimal, sleek, and elevates any space I put it into! HIGHLY RECOMMEND"

2. Japanese Bamboo Table Lamp “Star Droplet”

The Japanese Bamboo Table Lamp "Star Droplet" captivates with the beauty of its bamboo craftsmanship. This compact yet eye-catching lamp with a distinctly Japanese design emits a soft, gentle light, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a dim lamp. Its simple structure reveals intricate craftsmanship, reflecting the 800-year-old tradition of Suruga-take Sensuji bamboo work from Shizuoka, Japan. The flowing lines of the bamboo, meticulously shaved by hand to approximately 1.0 mm, create beautiful shadows when illuminated by the soft light passing through the Japanese paper shade. The simple operation with a power switch on the cord ensures effortless use before sleep. It arrives fully assembled for immediate enjoyment.

Specifications

Price: $140
Sizes: Height 12.5 cm (4.9 in) × Width 13 cm (5.1 in) × Depth 13 cm (5.1 in)
Bulb size:E12
Review:

"I am so obsessed with my Japanese Bamboo Light Star Droplet! This charming lamp beautifully combines traditional craftsmanship with a modern touch, making it an ideal fit for any space you want to warm up. The lamp features a stunning design, meticulously handcrafted from bamboo in Shizuoka, Japan. The intricate bamboo strips create a warm, inviting glow when lit, casting lovely patterns that enhance the ambiance of my bedroom. It adds a touch of elegance and tranquility that completely transforms the atmosphere. Overall, the Japanese Bamboo Light Star Droplet is more than just a lamp; it's a beautiful piece of art that enhances my bedroom. Its compact size, elegant design, and warm light make it a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their space."

3. Japanese Origami Paper Table Lamp "Flower of Light" - tutu S

The Japanese Origami Paper Table Lamp "Flower of Light" - tutu S is a frameless Japanese table lamp that blends the 1000-year-old tradition of Kyohyougu with an origami-inspired design. This lamp, which elevates the essence of Japan into a contemporary form, is perfect for those seeking a sophisticated bedside lamp. The lampshade is crafted from a special type of Japanese paper with enhanced durability, and when illuminated with warm light, the folds cast gradient-like shadows. To fully appreciate the geometric patterns of the folds at the top of the lamp, we recommend placing it on a slightly lower bedside table or on the floor beside your bed.

Specifications:

Price:  $300
Sizes: Diameter 12cm (4.7 in) × Height 25cm (9.8 in)
Power source: 3A-125V
Review:

"This lamp is a total game-changer for my nightstand. The minimalist design is sleek and modern, and the soft, diffused light creates the perfect atmosphere for winding down before bed. It's like having a personal moonbeam! The quality is top-notch, and the origami-inspired shape adds a unique touch. I love how it looks, and it's the perfect accent piece for my bedroom. If you're looking for a lamp that's both stylish and functional, this one is a must-buy."

4. Japanese Kumiko Lantern "Asanoha" - Extra Small

The Japanese Kumiko Lantern "Asanoha" - Extra Small is a Japanese table lamp featuring Kumiko woodworking with a 1400-year history. It is recommended for those seeking a beautifully ornamented, cordless bedside lamp. Kumiko is a Japanese technique of assembling small pieces of wood by hand into geometric patterns without using any nails. It requires exceptional precision, where even a 0.1 mm deviation can determine the success of the piece. This table lamp incorporates 200 pieces of wood to create the Asanoha (hemp leaf) pattern. Although it doesn't have dimming functionality, the inner Japanese paper shade softly adjusts the light intensity. Enjoy the beautiful Kumiko and the interplay of light and shadow during your tranquil moments before sleep.

Specifications:

Price: 
Sizes: Height 20.5cm(8.1 in) × Width 10.9cm(4.3 in) × Depth10.9cm(4.3 in)
Electrical Appliance: Rechargeable LED Light with Built-in Lithium-ion Battery, Type-B
Review:

"This is such a beautiful addition to our cozy home! The lamp fits perfectly with our decor and adds such warmth to any space in our home. I love it so much that it's hard to decide where to put it! I want it everywhere :) it's also the perfect size! I'm so glad we got this lamp."

5. Japanese Paper Table Lamp “AKASHI”

The Japanese Paper Table Lamp "AKASHI" enchants with its refined design and compact size. It is manufactured by a Buddhist altar manufacturer in Kyoto, established in 1830.  The elegant and warm design, featuring a discreet brass handle, a Japanese paper lampshade, and a rounded wooden base, is perfect for creating a Japandi-style bedroom. Its space-saving diameter and cordless, battery-powered operation contribute to a clutter-free bedside environment.

Specifications:

Price: $200
Sizes: Height 29.3cm(11.5in) × Width 9.8cm(3.8 in) 
Electrical Appliance: LED
Power Source:  2 AAA batteries

 

How to Use Your Bedside Lamp for Better Sleep

Understanding the relationship between light and sleep is crucial for improving sleep quality. Even your favorite bedside lamp can disrupt your sleep if used incorrectly. Let's start with the basics of how light affects melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. When melatonin is secreted, the parasympathetic nervous system activates, relaxing your body for sleep. Conversely, when melatonin is suppressed, the sympathetic nervous system activates, making you feel awake, alert, and hungry. It's important to remember that melatonin levels fluctuate based on the amount of light entering your eyes, and lower light levels promote melatonin secretion.

1. Lower the Light Position Before Bed

Research shows that the human retina secretes different amounts of melatonin depending on the angle at which it absorbs light. When exposed to the same illuminance from a high position versus a low position, the secretion of melatonin is lower when the light source is higher. Therefore, before bedtime, place your lamp at the foot of your bed or on a lower bedside table.

Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0748730402239678

2. Lower the Color Temperature of the Light

Light has a temperature. Higher temperatures correspond to bluish-white, cool colors, while lower temperatures correspond to reddish, warm colors. Our natural circadian rhythm is closely linked to sunlight. During the day, exposure to the high color temperature of sunlight keeps us active, while in the evening, lower color temperatures help us relax and prepare for sleep. Before bed, opt for warm-colored light to promote melatonin secretion.

3. Reduce the Amount of Light

The amount of light hitting a specific surface is measured in "lux." While there are several units for measuring light, lux indicates the brightness of light over a specific area, making it relevant when considering the "amount of light hitting the retina," which affects sleep quality. Daylight ranges from 32,000 to 100,000 lux, office lighting from 750 to 1500 lux, and living room lighting around 400 to 500 lux. For quality sleep, it's effective to gradually decrease the amount of light 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. Aim for around 50 lux (enough to recognize someone's face from 10 meters away) 1 to 2 hours before sleep, and 0.3 to 1 lux during sleep. When choosing a bedside lamp, consider dim lamps with low light output, touch lamps with dimming functions, or lamps with shades made of light-absorbing materials like Japanese paper to minimize the amount of light reaching your eyes.

 

The right lighting is essential for a good night's sleep. Choose a Japanese table lamp for your bedside that combines your preferred design with the functionality you need. By understanding the features of the lamps we've introduced and how to use them to enhance your sleep, you can achieve a truly restful slumber.