4. Table with Temperature Control (Kotatsu)
What it is: a table with an integrated electric heater and a blanket attached.
Cost on average: $100 to $500
A popular addition to many Japanese households, the kotatsu is particularly useful in the winter. It is made up of a tabletop resting on top of a futon, or thick blanket, covering the frame of the table. A warm-emitting electric heater sits beneath the table, enabling those seated around it to snuggle their legs under the blanket and take advantage of the comforting heat.
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According to Japanese history, the kotatsu came from an “irori,” or cooking hearth. As homes and lifestyles changed over time, the kotatsu evolved into its electrified incarnation. Although warming is still the major function of the kotatsu, it also functions as a location for family and friends to get together. Around the kotatsu, people frequently eat, unwind, read, or even take naps.
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