A lot of people are finding their best Japanese chabudai table since floor sitting instead of sitting on a chair has been proved to have plenty of advantages to our bone system.
This chabudai is the original Japanese table, like a standard traditional setting.
They are used for more than just dinner, they can also be applied for learning, working, or meeting for afternoon tea, etc.
So if you are trying to add a bit of Japanese culture to your home or just want low furniture to rest on the floor as part of the aesthetic?
The chabudai may be what you are looking for.
Let’s scroll down our article to know what is this type of Japanese table set, why people like to use it, and which one is suitable for your home.
The Top-Rated Japanese Chabudai Tables (Recommendation)
#1. SNOW PEAK SINGLE ACTION LOW TABLE – BEST FOLDING CHABUDAI
#2. AZUMAYA FOLDING COFFEE CENTER TABLE TAC-229 – MODERN CHABUDAI
#3. ZEN’S BAMBOO SMALL COFFEE TABLE – CONVENIENT TATAMI TABLE
#4. ZINUS WOOD METAL COFFEE TABLE
#5. XING HUA SHOP TABLE – UNIQUE APPEARANCE
#6. YAMAZEN CASUAL KOTATSU HEATED TABLE
#7. EMOOR WOODEN FOLDING COFFEE TABLE
Related:
- Best Japanese Tansu Cabinets for Your House
- Top 3 Best Tatami Mats for Martial Arts
- Top 5 Best Japanese Umbrella For Rainy Day
What Is Japanese Chabudai Table?
Have you ever been to a Japanese restaurant and see their floor dining set?
Sitting at a low dinner desk or a tatami chabudai gives you a whole new feeling, definitely.
Japanese dining sets, tea desks, and folding desks are becoming popular now due to their sleek minimalist aesthetics.
A chabudai (卓袱台)is a traditional Japanese short-legged furniture that can be found in many homes.
The height of the table is normally between 15 and 30 cm, and it is often built to be collapsible for easy storage.
People sit on tatami or zabuton, which are often mounted on a zaisu chair.
Thus, some people even think that the western-style seats are too high.
Low workbenches, low dining tables, study tables, and Japanese tea tables are all examples of what chaibudai types may be used for.
Japanese people usually use chabudai table set on tatami mats with some floor chairs and cushions, or zaisu and zabuton.
Furthermore, they only serve the Japanese chabudai tables for 7 to 9 months of the year, then replace them with a kotatsu in the winter to provide extra heat during the cold months.
Choose The Best Japanese Chabudai Table For Your Home
Japanese floor sets can be on of four shapes: ellipse, circle, square, oblong.
The mentioned types of them are made for different spaces and uses, so what should you consider when choosing one that works for you?
The answer depends on how you want to use the desk and how much room you have in your house.
The rest of the tables will be used for a variety of tasks, such as learning, working, or even cooking.
1. Round chabudai:
It allows you to have more or fewer people around them if needed.
This is called the least “hierarchical” and more “social” shape. The form will serve well as a dining set in the Japanese style.
They are ideal for communal dining, as they can accommodate a large number of dishes in the center to be shared.
They also allow for the use of an additional rotating revolving table in the middle.
(Source: Pinterest)
2. Oblong and rectangular:
This is the most common shape of chabudai table set in Japan.
Frankly saying, we may say that it is the most favorable shape since it fits into the majority of rooms the most effectively.
(Source: miteigi)
3. Square:
It implies no hierarchy, which may facilitate open dialogue.
However, since the number of people who can sit is limited, they do not have the flexibility and may only suitable for small groups of people.
(Source: Pinterest)
4. Low folding chabudai:
If you have little space or choose to use your space in a flexible way, a low folding chabudai is a good option.
You can take them out when you need and put them away when you don’t.
Thus, you will be able to use your table for various purposes.
For example, it can even be used to change your living room to a bedroom as required.
This is, in reality, how typical Japanese houses have been used over time.
(Source: Pinterest)
Best Japanese Chabudai Table For Your Home
(Updated List)
| Product images | Product names | Editor's rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | SNOW PEAK SINGLE ACTION LOW TABLE | 4.3 | Check Price |
  | AZUMAYA FOLDING COFFEE CENTER TABLE TAC-229 | 4.8 | Check Price |
  | ZEN’S BAMBOO SMALL COFFEE TABLE | 4.4 | Check Price |
  | ZINUS WOOD METAL COFFEE TABLE | 4.3 | Check Price |
  | XING HUA SHOP TABLE | 4.5 | Check Price |
  | YAMAZEN CASUAL KOTATSU HEATED TABLE | 4.7 | Check Price |
  | EMOOR WOODEN FOLDING COFFEE TABLE | 4.6 | Check Price |
*Please notice that the reviews and ratings of the following products were recorded on the writing date by the editor. Ratings can be changed over time.
Choose Your Best Japanese Chabudai Table
1. SNOW PEAK SINGLE ACTION LOW TABLE – BEST FOLDING CHABUDAI
Key features:
- Item Dimensions (L x W x H): 19.75 x 19.75 x 7.2 inches
- Shape: Round
- Base type: 4 legs open simultaneously with the unfolding of the two-leaf tabletop
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
- Foldable in half for easy storage
Snow Peak Single Action Low Table is one of the finest foldable chabudai products on Amazon, besides those that are mostly used to serve coffee.
It is a single-action, low table that can be folded and packed anywhere in a minimalist home – another Japanese specialty.
This one has a two-fold top that can be conveniently folded or unfolded for proper storage or packaging.
Apart from the architecture, the Snow Peak folding chabudai table and most Japanese products are made of real wood, with the rest of the tops being made of wood or bamboo.
However, since these products are now mass-produced (not only in Japan but also in China), you may expect chipboard. This one, luckily on the other side, is made of bamboo.
Moreover, this product has metal legs.
They are thin and molded metal legs open and close automatically as the product is opened or folded.
These legs are not too far off the ground, making it simple to store, load and move.
Furthermore, the metal finish is rust-resistant. It is very useful for both indoor and outdoor use.
If you like car camping, it can be used for family or friends’ vacation.
Otherwise, in a minimalist home, you can still use it as a little one-person dining, coffee, or center table.
Pros:
- Foldable
- Provided a nylon carry case
- Made of real bamboo and metal legs
- Multi purpose
- Light weight
Cons:
- Two low for some people
- A little bit expensive
2. AZUMAYA FOLDING COFFEE CENTER TABLE TAC-229 – MODERN CHABUDAI
Key features:
- Item Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.47 x 41.34 x 13.78 inches
- Shape: Rectangular shape with round edges
- Furniture finish: Walnut
- Base type: Folding legs
- Weight: 22.5 pounds
AZUMAYA Coffee Table is a multi-functional desk that can be used as a middle one or for serving coffee, tea, or anything else.
One of the most appealing features of all Japanese dining table chabudai is how simple they are to disassemble and prepare for storage or transportation.
This coffee table has folding legs that can be folded and placed conveniently.
This is not a fully bamboo product like the Snow Peak one, and as a result, it is not as light as a bamboo table might be.
It weighs 22.5 pounds and is made of natural walnut and rubberwood.
Thus, you will have a stunning piece of furniture to show off and brag about.
AZUMAYA is not a small table, it is a huge rectangular tabletop made of real wood, with a sturdy, big and robust tabletop that allows the owner to put a large number of objects on it.
There is plenty of space!
One more advantage is its urethane coating.
A thin film of urethane is applied to the table’s wooden top.
The aim of this coating is to make it stain and liquid resistant.
Pros:
- Foldable legs
- Urethane coating
- Made of real walnut and rubberwood
Cons:
- Heavy
- Quite easy to be scratched
Take a quick look at the AZUMAYA Center Table:
3. ZEN’S BAMBOO SMALL COFFEE TABLE – CONVENIENT TATAMI TABLE
Key features:
- Item dimensions: 19.68 x 19.68 x 11.8 inches
- Shape: Square
- Base type: Storage
- Weight: 10.36 pounds
Zen’s Bamboo Small Coffee Table is the best Japanese chabudai table to go with if you are a true minimalist.
It is suitable for someone who lives in a tiny apartment and does not want the furniture to take too much room in their home.
Not only is it square, but it also does the job and takes up much less room than a large chabudai table.
The bamboo coffee Zen’s is not only functional but also very adaptable.
It is large enough to support many purposes while still being compact enough to be conveniently stored. But do not let it fool you!
The desk can accommodate up to 100 kgs.
This one is made of natural bamboo and high-quality MDF.
Furthermore, the surface has been painted with waterborne paint to make it smooth and sturdy.
A storage area has been carefully placed under the tabletop so you can put stuff there, or even the cushions.
The corners are bent to protect you and your children from being tipped over.
Pros:
- Elegant minimal design
- Made of high-quality bamboo and MDF
- Easy to assemble
- Can carry up to 100 kgs
- Protective bent corners
Cons:
- Reported to be too small for its price
- Not very sturdy
- Hard to assemble
Zen’s Bamboo Small Coffee Table with a basket quick review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im-Wt5U1qh8
4. ZINUS WOOD METAL COFFEE TABLE
Key features:
- Item dimensions: 47 x 23.5 x 18 inches
- Weight: 37.3 pounds
- Shape: Rectangle
- Base type: Legs
- Material: Pine wood and metal
Zinus Coffee Table is an ideal solution for you if you want a rectangular chabudai coffee table in your living room.
It is also a typical two-story table, with a top that can be used for coffee, dining, or other uses, and a bottom lever that you can use to hold magazines, books, or other things.
Like the mentioned products above, this product is made of real wood. Zinus used pine wood and metal legs to give it a rustic appealing.
Pros:
- Rustic style
- High-quality pine wood and metal legs make it sturdy
Cons:
- Heavy
- Chipping
- It may be too high as a chabudai set
How to set up a rustic Zinus Wood Metal Coffee Table:
5. XING HUA SHOP TABLE – UNIQUE APPEARANCE
Key features:
- Item dimensions: 47.25 x 19.68 x 13.58 inches
- Shape: Rectangular
- Base type: Legs
- Weight: 21.1 pounds
WoodShine Mid Century Floor Tea Table may be the longest product on our list.
The inclusion of a magazine or book rack divot on one end of the table is its most significant aspect.
Using reading content in the living room gives both elegant and realistic enjoyment.
The table is made entirely of rubberwood, and it is very solid.
Rubberwood is a great furniture material because it is much tougher than pine and has high wear resistance. It is scratch-resistant as well and has a long operating life.
The manufacturer also coated up a wood wax oil coating to give a more natural look and better protection.
Especially, you will have different color, size, and height options to choose from.
The different sizes can fit from 1 to 4 adults.
Nevertheless, the WoodShine makes up for it by being one of the most inexpensive tables on the list.
Though it is not especially cheap, it is less than half the price of certain other ones.
Pros:
- Natural rubberwood material with wood wax oil coating
- Affordable
- Different size and color options
- Long and broad surface
- Unique side book rack
Cons:
- Unfoldable
- The finish is a little dull compared to other chabudais
6. YAMAZEN CASUAL KOTATSU HEATED TABLE
Key features:
- Item dimensions: 31.25 x 31.25 x 5 inches
- Weight: 28.2 pounds
- Base type: Legs with heated system
- Power source: Electric
The YAMAZEN Kotatsu Heated Table has a lot of fantastic features that you will enjoy using time after time.
When running at maximum capacity, this table produces about 0.3 kilowatts per hour.
As a result, kotatsu is ideal for keeping your family warm and insulated indoors during the winter months.
This heated chabudai table, when used with an electric heater, will save you about $2 to $3 a day in energy costs.
It is also fully reversible, which is a fantastic bonus.
During the summer months, when you do not need the heating mechanism as much, you much choose either a light grey surface or a darker hue top.
Pros:
- Reversible
- Easy to assemble and use
- Electrical heat system
- Energy saving
Cons:
- Does not come with a kotatsu blanket as the others
YAMAZEN Kotatsu quick review:
7. EMOOR WOODEN FOLDING COFFEE TABLE
Key features:
- 2 sizes: Small and Middle
- 3 shapes: Rectangle, round, square
- Weight: From 15.4 pounds
- Base type: Legs
- No assembly required
The EMOOR Wooden Folding Chabudai Table is ideal for those who live a minimalist lifestyle or have limited space.
You can quickly fold and store their legs while they are not in service.
This is also another excellent explanation for its suitability for camping.
A natural wood veneer covers the top surface, together with sturdy rubberwood legs.
Since the units are made of natural wood materials, the color and grain can vary.
There is no need to assemble anything when it comes. It is super easy to fold all four legs.
When folded, it measures 4 inches wide.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Different choices in sizes, colors, and shapes
- Foldable
- Elegant design
- No need for assembly
Cons:
- A little bit pricey
- Not work very well for large spaces
Best Japanese Chabudai Table: What To Think About Before Buying?
1. Materials
Firstly, the fundamentals of Oriental traditional furniture are natural wood.
Woods can be found in a Japanese house, with cypress, hemlock, oak, and red pine being the most popular materials.
Bamboo is also common in Japanese décor, and furniture stuff made of either of these natural woods will look fantastic in a Zen theme room.
You should select a wood that complements your style and preferences depending on the paint scheme, too.
Darker woods, such as mahogany, can give the dining area a sophisticated and rich appearance, while lighter woods, such as bamboo, can give a more comfortable feeling.
2. Shape and size
Secondly, the size of your chabudai dining set is determined by how many spaces you have in your home.
Any of them are bigger than you think.
A large low table is maybe fit for a large family.
If you live alone or as a couple, a small one is enough.
These tables are also available in a variety of shapes as mentioned above.
3. Finish
Thirdly, the finish will decide the way you maintain your table.
Lacquer, for example, is a common finishing feature on some chabudais.
This makes it simple to clean and adds to its visual appeal.
To put out various shades, some artisans layer lacquer on top to bring out some vibrant colors.
Coating with oil gives your best Japanese chabudai table a better look because it brings out the grain’s color.
Choose a seller that sells a wide selection of stains so that you can choose the one that appeals to you the most.
The stains on the chabudai set give them a natural appearance. Some still have a cedar fragrance, which is very pleasing.
4. Portable or not
Last but not least, ask yourself how about the portability of your chabudai table?
Its weight and collapsible features make it easy to figure out.
A folding chabudai is simple to transport and store in a small space.
Best Japanese Chabudai Table: Maintaining Guideline
Like everything else, you will need to learn how to properly handle your chabudai dining table so that it can last a long time.
These typical Japanese low tables are quickly stained by ink, water, or dust.
However, you can do more to keep them shining and prolong the lifespan.
When dust meets the surface’s polish, it can create a dark film.
This is why it is important that you conduct deep cleaning on a daily basis.
You should start by dusting it, this will remove any light soiling.
Use a soft cleaner to ensure that the wood’s finish is preserved and is not harmed.
Try to clean with a soft cloth by mixing soap and water.
It is necessary to remember that the fabric should be moist, not mudding, to avoid saturating the wooden material of your chabudai set.
After cleaning, place it outside or on your allow it to dry properly.
It is likely that your table can collect polish over time but you do not know it.
Tea bags can also be used to spruce up the antique. Simply immerse the tea bags in boiling water and allow them to cool to room temperature.
Now, take a moist soft cloth and dip it into the tea before using it to clean your table.
Strong tea contains tannic acid, which is beneficial to chabudai wood.
By doing this, your desk will remain shiny and clean at all times as a result.
Best Japanese Chabudai Table: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is The Average Height Of Chaibudai Table?
30 cm is the normal height of a low Japanese floor dining set.
This has evolved with time, with antique ones varying in height from 15 to 30 cm.
They are quite low because of the Japanese tradition of sitting and sleeping on the floor.
2. Can I Sleep Under A Kotatsu?
No, it is very dangerous. Please never sleep underneath a kotatsu.
While this may seem to be a perfectly normal activity, making unconscious movements under it may result in something bad.
You can come inadvertently into contact with the heating element situated underneath.
This could lead to extreme burns.
Furthermore, depending on the depth of your sleep, sleeping under a kotatsu may cause severe dehydration.
3. Is It Considered Impolite To Sit Cross Legged In Japan?
In certain countries, people will think you are impolite if you cross your feet.
In Japan, you must sit straight with both feet on the ground and never cross your ankle over your knee.
The foot is told unclean in Japan, as it is in many Asian cultures, and should not be used to point at anyone.
4. How Can The Japanese Sit At Low Tables?
The Japanese usually eat at low dining sets and rest on a cushion on the tatami board (a reed-like mat).
Both men and women kneel (they call “seiza”) informal situations.
While men sit cross-legged and women sit with both legs on one side in informal situations.
5. Is Sitting Like The Japanese Healthy?
There are many ergonomic advantages of sitting in a seiza posture.
First and foremost, Seiza supports the maintenance of proper posture.
Individuals who suffer from poor posture should begin doing seiza right away.
The blood pressure of your body is also improved when sitting upright.
Conclusion
The Japanese chabudai, without a doubt, is a furniture specialty.
This piece represents family unity by bringing people together.
You can now purchase it online and be able to compare various products on the websites.
Remember the weight and many other aspects to have the most suitable one.
Still, confused? You can start with the SNOW PEAK SINGLE ACTION LOW TABLE.
It is the most basic one, foldable and also affordable.
AZUMAYA FOLDING COFFEE CENTER TABLE TAC-229 is another good option if you are looking for furniture that gives an antique vibe.
If you want to create a calming Zen ambiance for your space, whether it is inside or outside, a best Japanese chabudai table is ideal.
Further Reading:
- Top 4 Best Japanese Kitchen Knife Brands
- Top 5 Best Japanese Whetstone Brands
- Best Yakitori Grill & Ultimate Guideline
- Top 6 Best Japanese Wood Chisels for Woodworking
- Top 5 Best Japanese Pull Saw Brand
- What Is The Best Japanese Noren Door Curtain?
- What Is The Best Ofuro Japanese Soaking Tub?
Tags: side table, storage space, folding table, 15 cm, quick view
