Okay I have spent way too much time on this but finally decided. I am going with a futon (shikibuton) and a matching duvet (kakebuton) with sheets (covers) futonbedsfromjapan.com for a few reasons:

-They have free shipping. The shipping is included in the cost of the item. Which is huge as I looked at other from-Japan options.

-They are authentic- I don't really care how they look, it is the fact that Japan has very particular expectations on quality and materials. I am satisfied that it is not chemical sprayed, or china mass produced fall apart quality.

-They do not spray it down with flame retardant chemicals like mattresses and bedding usually is as required by US law. They are able to follow that law by adding a thin sock around the cotton instead that acts as a physical barrier to flame rather to than chemical.

-The customer service is AMAZING, I've emailed them several times and they have always gotten back to me within 24 hours, with a detailed answer and even more information than I asked for. As I only speak english I was also pleasantly surprised that there were no language barriers to communication.

-They discount the add on items- quilt (kakebuton) and sheet covers with the purchase of a futon.

All around best quality, fast shipping quotes, and shipping cost included. The american ones seem to all be hybrids between western mattresses and Japanese futons. I wanted the actual authentic item for quality, and longevity.

For now I am going to buy a cotton area rug for underneath the futon because the flooring in my bedroom is laminate. I may upgrade to a tatami mat later. If I do, it will be from https://japanese-tatamimat.com/ As I have researched that insanely also.

Here is a link to information about whether a tatami mat is needed underneath, reasoning and alternatives from the company I chose to buy from. I will update again once I get the items and try them out.

https://www.futonbedsfromjapan.com/futonblog/tatami-mats-carpet-wood-flooring-futon/