YAMAZEN Casual Kotatsu (75cm Square) Black ESK-751(B)

Wonderful...absolutely wonderful. Such a simplistic idea that really lives up to the hype. The table and converter ARE ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE COST. I originally purchased this as a Christmas gift for my brother, but this quickly became the go-to spot in our house. Since it can get very cold where I live during the winter, this table sort of became a lifesaver (I use the term loosely). The table was a quick set-up (<5 minutes to connect the power converter, install the legs of the table, grab a large/comfy blanket and turn on to heat up!), sturdy and easy to clean. Perfect for napping, doing homework, watching TV, playing games on or just wanting to stay warm. My only initial reservation about the product was it's size, but this quikcly became a non-factor. Although it can probably fit 3 adults comfortably and 4 if you sit cross-legged, we were able to fit 6 with our legs sprawled on one another (assuming you're okay being that close). The adjustable heat knob and the protective heat cage are excellent features. And don't worry about purchasing an expensive kotatsu blanket online; any large (queen-size) comfy blanket will do (that should help offset the costs of the converter).The best part was how quick this company was able to get this product to me. While the converter is a quick-buy, I thought it would take 1-2 months for the table to get to me since it's from Japan and that's how long it took other large, international products I've purchased in the past. I was frustrated since I wanted it before Christmas to present to my brother. So when I ordered it on 12/10, the estimated TOA was late January/early February. I was ecstatic and pleasantly surprised when it arrived only 10 days later (12/21/16), right before Christmas!!!To summarize it all, ridiculously quick delivery, easy assembly, safe, heavenly warmth, and crowd pleaser.

I bought this on a whim because Bitcoin was high and I suddenly was rich. Probably my favorite thing to have bought in that state of mind.I’m gonna explain everything about this kotatsu in this review.I got free shipping via Amazon, and then the Japanese company that sells this said it would arrive in three weeks or so. Then, it arrived in six days. Looking through the other reviews, this is pretty common so props to this company for going above and beyond.The size is about three feet by three feet, and about one and a half feet tall. Of course, you need about five feet by five feet of space to put it in so that people can sit around it.There are things you need to buy with this.One is a power step up converter, as this kotatsu comes with a Japanese cord on the end of it, and is set up for 220 power. Here in the USA we use 110. (Some people don’t know). I only got a 500 watt converter. Keep in mind that you need both the physical converter and the power converter, so make sure whatever you get has both.You don’t need a specialized kotatsu blanket to go with this. Since I got my kotatsu table so early before the other stuff arrived, I ended up just throwing a few blankets I already had onto it. It worked fine. Maybe not pretty, but all you’d need is a king sized blanket to work with this, and that can look nice if you wanted it to. Anyway, you don’t need to spend 120 dollars or whatever for the kotatsu blanket.The last thing you absolutely need with this is either a carpet or something soft to sit on. You sit directly on the floor, and I have wood floors, so i ended up putting camping mats underneath it. The Japanese are more cultrually used to that than us Americans. Just be aware of this.As for the actual functionality of the kotatsu, everything is in Japanese. The instructions are easy to figure out with just the pictures and I had it all assembled in 15 minutes (they even give you a screwdriver so I didn’t have to look for one).To turn the unit on, there’s an on and off switch on the cord. Its in Japanese, but the side of the switch with the 1 etched into the plastic on it is the on side (something that took me almost a month to find, seriously just found it while trying to write this review).Looking at the other reviews, other people also miss the dial heat control on the inside underneath the table.Lastly, watch out for falling asleep under this thing. Its not dangerous, but there have been about seven times where I sat down with my laptop trying to do homework and I woke up four hours later.Edit: 2 years laterThis has survived two moves into new houses and I am still falling asleep under this thing at times when I am supposed to be doing more important things. I have replaced my camping mats with a cheap segmented mattress and it's bliss. In the summer, I just remove the blanket and it's my working desk in my room. I also plugged it into a smart wifi plug so sometimes when I'm on my way home from work I turn it on remotely about ten minutes before I get home so I can just jump under it when it is cold.

Finally saved up to buy this!I live in the US and wanted a kotatsu for a long time. The shipping makes these so expensive. So I was waiting to get one from Japan directly, but the opportunity has yet to arrive.So...This kotatsu is great. It's made with some lower priced materials. Some kotatsus are made of solid wood, this one is not. I was a little surprised to find the legs are made of plastic. But, it's quite sturdy. I have a 3 year old who has already tried using is as a jumping platform and it held up to that craziness.It's warm! I normally keep it on lowest or just above lowest setting. Our thermostat is set to 68°, though. If it was colder in the house, we might turn the kotatsu heater up.I really like how the top is reversable. I can change the look of the room and I have a kid friendly side (which has been crayoned, stickered, and water colored) and a clean side. The surface cleans easily, also. I've so far been able to get all the stickers and paint and crayon off when I feel like it.I would love to be able to afford a proper kotatsu futon set, but it will require months of saving. Until then, I found an inexprensive, lightweight, queen sized down-alternative quilt/comforter thing and it is perfect. Not too heavy and easy to wash (kids). Queen sized is a nice size for this table.I did purchase the step up/down converter on Amazon and it's been fine for us and using this kotatsu.Overall, we are pleased with this. One of my children might be obsessed, she turns it on first thing and practically lives under it. She's fallen asleep countless times. My cat likes it. Our dining table is jealous, because we've started eating at the kotatsu (sometimes). Oh, and there is a decent amount of space. I am 5'11" and I am comfortable. Maybe 4 people at 6' would not be as comfortable...But for us it is good :)