New “Night Routine” Feature Introduced to The Clock by BALMUDA to Support Sleep

Expanding Reach Domestically and Internationally

Since its launch on March 18, 2026, The Clock has also begun sales in the United States and South Korea. Despite its price of 59,400 JPY (tax included), cumulative shipments are approaching 5,000 units, indicating strong performance. Notably, brand shops, including BALMUDA The Store Aoyama and Matsuya Ginza, have seen significant purchases by international visitors, demonstrating a steady expansion both domestically and abroad.

Sleep as a Societal Challenge

Sleep is a critical factor supporting daily physical and mental health and activity. However, according to OECD data, the average sleep duration for Japanese people is 7 hours and 22 minutes, more than an hour shorter than the OECD average of 8 hours and 27 minutes. This figure is a self-reported average from a survey targeting individuals aged 15-64, and the actual time spent sleeping may be even shorter. Japan’s sleep duration is notably short internationally, posing a significant challenge. Sleep deprivation impacts daily concentration and work performance, with economic losses due to insufficient sleep estimated at approximately 15 trillion JPY, making it a societal issue beyond individual concerns.

1 Source: OECD, Time Use Database. 2021 survey. Comparison of 33 countries including Japan.
2 Source: RAND Europe, Why Sleep Matters: The Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep: A Cross-Country Comparative Analysis (2016).

To address these sleep challenges, BALMUDA focused on “pre-sleep habits.” For better sleep, it is crucial not only to optimize bedding and bedroom environment but also how one spends the time before sleep and transitions into sleep preparation. However, changing daily behaviors by sheer willpower and maintaining them as habits is not easy. Therefore, the new “Night Routine” feature was developed to create cues for switching activities as bedtime approaches.

New “Night Routine” Feature

With “Night Routine,” users set their desired bedtime. 90 minutes before the set time (this is the initial setting, customizable via the app), the Night Routine begins, and the sounds and lights from The Clock gradually change. The time leading up to sleep is structured into three phases, with each sound serving as a cue to transition to the next activity.

For example, the first sound might signal time for relaxing activities like bathing, stretching, or reading. The transition to the next sound could be a cue for brushing teeth, preparing for the next day, or putting away smartphones. The final sound indicates it’s time to get into bed. Users can decide what to do in each phase. The Night Routine does not dictate specific actions but rather uses sound and light as triggers to create a personalized evening flow.

Three Features of Night Routine

• Set Bedtime Like an Alarm: Similar to setting an alarm for waking, Night Routine allows users to set a bedtime. By calculating the evening flow backward from this set time, it creates a timing for beginning sleep preparation.
• Sound and Light Cues for Activity Transition: Gradually changing sound and light act as cues for transitioning to the next activity, such as relaxing, bathing, brushing teeth, preparing for tomorrow, putting away screens, or getting into bed. The Night Routine includes seven newly dedicated sounds, creating an evening rhythm that shifts towards bedtime.
• Support for Personalized Pre-Sleep Habits: Pre-sleep routines vary by individual. Night Routine does not demand specific actions. Users decide what activities to perform at what times, using sound and light as cues. The duration and sounds of each phase can be customized via the dedicated app. Receiving cues at the same time each day helps initiate pre-sleep activities.

Evolving as a Product to Regulate Daily Rhythms

The Clock is a personal clock that supports various times of the day, such as morning wake-up, daytime focus and rest, and evening relaxation, to regulate daily rhythms. With the addition of “Night Routine,” it has evolved into a tool that supports daily life. The Clock will continue to propose new functions and experiences through software updates via the dedicated “BALMUDA Connect” app.