Sobakawa Cloud Pillow 12.6" x 18.5" x 3.15"

When I lived in Japan I discovered something called the 'MOGU' brand pillow. Various sizes/shapes of stretchy fabric containing microbeads, generally in colorful and fun colors. I LOVED the roll pillow I got and when I finally lost it (left it in a hotel room) I went on a hunt for something to replace it.I found the slightly under filled, tiny microbeads pillow lent itself very well to propping my head or supporting a sore arm in my sleep. I even took it with me a short shipboard TAD (in the Navy) where I had the classic coffin rack. The pillow (and my own blanket) made it quite reasonable--though nothing really made up for the fuel smells, but I digress.In any case, once I lost my pillow I went on a mission to buy another. Unfortunately Amazon.jp stopped selling them (oh, how I wished I'd gotten another one when available) except in white. I had a friend order me that one (no shipping to the US)...but that pillow lacked a cover slip and it's only a matter of time before it's too icky. She also sent me a couple other things like a seat cushion, but it's not the same when trying to lie down.The closest I've seen is the FOM pillow--which is okay, but not quite as nice (too overstuffed, see my comment below).Then I saw the ad for the Sobakawa Cloud Pillow. I took a chance on ordering it (BB&B no longer had them in the stores locally) and crossed my fingers. Upon arrival I am quite sure they are sourcing from the MOGU people. The fabric is the same stretchy/soft material and the beads feel/sound the same.I found the pillow shape is very amenable to folding and propping to find the comfort position.Do note, it is 'under filled', but that is what (IMO) makes it useful. You can place it how you want and it settles into place. If it was any more filled it would be too stiff. The FOM pillow is 'fuller', but I find it harder to fall into the shape that is most comfortable. I like those too, but if I could open it up and empty out a few of the beads it would be better.The bead sound is notable at first, but quickly fades into the background and is not bothersome to me. If you are very sound sensitive, this may be a problem.I hate that the pillow is white, but at least it has a cover. The cover is washable...I saw one reviewer who does not like that the pillow itself is not washable. Personally, I was my pillow cases frequently, but I have never tossed a pillow into the machine, so I don't see the worry. I'm glad the covering is the same material...just don't like the white. I suppose I could put the whole pillow/cover into another pillow case, but honestly, the fabric is part of what makes this comfortable.Now, no pillow is going to work for everyone, but I have found the stretchy/soft fabric and understuffed microbeads have resulted in a great deal of comfort, both in neck and when used to support a bum shoulder/arm when positioning for sleep. Cheaper models have a fabric that is unpleasant (and smelly) and the FOM, though almost as good, is just too stuffed (and had that chemical smell that thankfully faded quickly).I love this pillow and have ordered a spare! I highly recommend it for someone looking for a new type of pillow to try. It's just not like anything else I've used before and nothing else has been as comfortable. It may or may not work for you, but if others have failed, this may be the type that will do the trick. At the current time it is very reasonably priced--very satisfying on the cost/benefit concern.HIGHLY Recommended!JTG

This is by far the best solution I've found (and I've tried an embarrassing number!) for the challenge of moving between side-sleeping and back-sleeping over the course of a night's sleep without waking up with a sore neck. Because of the pillow's composition, it molds to suit the shape and weight of the user's head and neck; its stitching delivers greater support on the sides and under the neck than in the center, but without the stiff structure you find in a lot of pillows that purport to solve this versatility problem. The beads move silently and easily to accommodate one's comfort, but I've found the support they provide satisfyingly solid. Over long use, the support eventually breaks down somewhat, so I've bought a new one approximately every three years; but the pillow is so reasonably priced that replacing it when needed has posed no problem, and I find my older Cloud Pillows remain very useful as milder supports (e.g., between the knees, under the elbow when lying on the side, as neck support when reclining or on plane flights).

More often than not, I've woken up with soreness in my neck, simply uncomfortable and tired from regular pillows, often times I would use a "small' pillow to support my neck instead of the regular sized pillows (or in addition to), and this worked for me for years, yet recently every single morning I had neck ache even upper back pain, until 4 days ago that I received my cloud pillow. I wouldn't call it "cloud" because to me a cloud is soft and fluffy, which this one is not, but it is amazing support for my head, my neck, and even upper back and shoulders, whether I sleep on my back or on my side, I can shift it to support where I need it, and I have to say I've been sleeping wonderfully AND every morning (4 days in a row now) when I first move my head, I am amazed that there is NO pain in my neck anymore!!! Best sleep I've got in weeks!!! Thank you for this amazing supportive pillow. I am happy and I don't have a sore neck anymore. Yay!!! :)