It’s time for my favorite type of post! Jump in for the June 2026 Ultimate Coffee Date with me and Coco. Grab your mugs and let’s have some pillow talk!
June 2026 Ultimate Coffee Date Pillow Talk
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…
I’ve always thought there should be people who are “pillow concierges”. I mean how many pillows have I bought only to have to return them or give them away. I’ve always thought there has to be someone who is an expert and finding the right pillow, Well, guess what? There is!
When we were in Japan, I was more excited than I expected about the appointment I had with a “master pillow expert”. I had seen some videos about how people loved the process and their pillows so, of course, I had to try it for myself.
It was a very detailed process including measuring my head and neck and the position of my spine. I felt a little bit like Goldilocks or the princess and the pea. In a good way! I had to make decisions about the type of stuffing I liked and the firmness of the pillow. Side sleeper or back sleeper? I’m a side sleeper always.
My pillow was made to order right in front of me with me testing out each step as we went along. My pillow expert spoke very little English but we were able to communicate just fine. “Pillow talk” literally. So what was the verdict? It’s been about a month of my new customized pillow and I love it! My neck and back feel so supported. I realized how different my whole body position is as I’ve had to switch out my body pillow that I used for years. My sleep scores are corroborating this. Thanks to my husband for organizing this for me! It was a treat.
So, if we were having coffee, I would ask you…Do you have trouble finding must the right pillow? Side sleeper or back sleeper? Would you do a custom pillow sesh?
What and fun and useful appointment with the pillow expert, and how thoughtful for your husband to think of booking it for you! It’s great that your sleep scores agree that the pillow is helping you sleep better. To answer your question, I like very thin pillows and often find thick dense ones at hotels and my neck complains the next day. I’m thinking of brining my own on our next road trip – I wonder how many days until I’d forget and leave it in the hotel room.
Ha so it should come as no surprise that I often bring my own pillow for longer trip 🙂
I was fascinated by this when you mentioned it during your Japan posts! Will you be taking it with you on travels? It must feel very nice to have your own custom pillow.
For the past few years I’ve been sleeping on a tiny millet-husk pillow, and it has been amazing for me. It’s much smaller than a regular pillow and moulds perfectly to my head and neck.
It was a great experience. I often bring my own pillow while on long trips
this is so interesting!! I love that they do this – i had no idea it even was a possibility/existed! I’m a side sleeper and sometimes I roll into my back. I can NOT sleep on my stomach! I like medium pillows– not too thin but not too thick.
It was such a great experience and I love it
I love the idea of a pillow concierge! How fun!
So fun!
That is amazing! Who knew this service was available — although I guess only in Japan. I’m not too picky about my pillow (I do fine in hotels) but this makes me wonder how much more comfortable I could be if I had the right one.
I actually sleep on my back and my side. Definitely on my back when I need to cool off. 😉
I am amazed at how much better I am sleeping and no neck or shoulder stiffness
When you first posted about this custom pillow I was so envious! I’ve had a Tempur pillow for a long time but it’s time to replace it and I have no idea where to get one in Ireland. My neck and shoulders are cranky about how I sleep, I’m usually fine if I have a large and fluffy enough but also not too soft pillow. The fitted pillow with some support for the neck has been perfect to me. I’m mostly a side sleeper but trying to get used to sleeping more on my back because I have a sore shoulder and have a feeling it’s because I sleep too much on it.
Yes exactly the sore shoulder and neck are no more! You will have to come visit the US and stock up on your favorite pillows
How interesting! The place we purchased our mattress from did a very detailed body scan to help identify our best options but we never talked about the pillows. Given how picky I am about mine, I’d probably give this service a whirl.
Yes exactly it was so helpful. I think you need to schedule a trip to Japan
Wow this is cool!!! I have so many clients with neck issues, and they’ll ask me “Do you think I should get a different pillow?” YES! It really makes a difference. Do you still sleep with a body pillow as well? I’m a side sleeper, but I need a body pillow to go between my knees and elbows- I’m a very high-maintenance sleeper. When we stayed in a hotel last year, somehow we ended up on a full-size bed (ARRRRRG!) and my husband was about to kill me, because there just wasn’t room for the two of us and all my pillows. Luckily at home we sleep on a king.
It should come as no surprise that I am a high maintenance sleeper! I sleep with eye shades, ear plugs and a white noise machine. I was using a thick body pillow for decades and since I got the new pillow, the body pillow is too thick. I think it really has changed the whole alignment of my spine and neck while sleeping. I am now using a thinner pillow instead of the body pillow. So yes, I agree a lot of neck or back pain could be helped with a different pillow
I definitely need this! I’m a side sleeper, too and struggle to find a good pillow. The Japanese have it RIGHT! Did it work out well in practice?
I love it so much!
Your pillow fitting experience really has me intrigued! I’m a side sleeper, too, and it’s tough to find a pillow that’s the perfect thickness & height.
Exactly! I am so happy with it
That’s really cool!
I love my pillow. It came with the mattress we bought a few years ago: it’s a cooling pillow, but it’s just the right amount of firmness and it works great for me. I sleep on my back and sometimes on my side, and I feel like my sleep is great.
I’m so glad you had a great experience!
It was such a helpful appointment and I love my pillow
That’s so cool that there are pillow experts! I have trouble deciding even at the optometrist when they ask me if 1 is better than 2, so I might end up frustrating them, haha. :[ I will be adding this to my list of places to check out when I next go to Japan though!
Ha ha you are right about the 1 or 2?!
omg Deborah this sounds like EXACTLY WHAT I NEED!!!! so now I need to go to Japan! haha!
Yes I highly recommend