When choosing a chair for working at a computer, it’s best to use one that suits your body. If you’re going to spend long hours sitting, it’s worth investing in a quality chair. After 13 years with my previous chair, I decided it was time for a replacement.
13 Years with the Steelcase Think
I had been using a Steelcase Think chair since July 2005. I bought it after reading an interview with the president of Steelcase Japan in a magazine. In the interview, he mentioned that instead of expanding the CEO’s office, the space should be given to employees—a very reasonable idea, I thought. This convinced me to buy the Think.
After 13 years, the Think was showing its age. The seat was sagging, the height adjustment wasn’t working well, and there was some hydraulic oil leakage. It was time to replace it.
Visiting the Okamura Showroom
I had already decided to get an Okamura chair next, as I had experienced their Luce model in my company’s meeting room. It provides good support for forward-leaning postures and is comfortable to sit on. I wanted to choose from Okamura’s task chairs.
After researching online, I found that the Sylphy model had good reviews. I went to Otsuka Furniture in Ginza after work, hoping to try it out, but unfortunately, they didn’t have it in stock and could only order it through the catalog, which would take time. Since I couldn’t be sure without sitting in it, I decided to visit Okamura’s showroom.
The nearest showroom was on the third floor of New Otani Garden Court in Kioicho. I took the Hanzomon Line and got off at Nagatacho, just across from the building. Thinking it might be best to make an appointment, I called ahead, but they told me individual visitors don’t need a reservation. I could simply register at the reception and explore freely. So, I headed to Kioicho, registered, and went inside.
The showroom displayed not only chairs but various types of office furniture. Sales representatives assisted corporate customers, promoting Sylphy as their best-selling model.
After trying out different chairs, I noticed that the location of the reclining mechanism varied. High-end chairs had it just below the armrest, while others had it under the seat.
The most comfortable model I tried was the Contessa Seconda, a flagship chair priced around 200,000 yen—beyond my budget. The next most comfortable was the Sylphy. Its support for forward-leaning posture seemed ideal for focused work.
Purchasing the Sylphy
I decided to purchase the chair online. After looking for a store that could also take away my old chair, I found that a store called Make Space, listed as an EC partner on Okamura’s website, offered free disposal of old chairs, so I ordered from them.
Before ordering, I needed to look up the model number. This could be done by selecting options on the color simulation page on Okamura’s website, which shows the product code and color. The product number is formatted as “Product Code-Color.” You can save the URL to keep a record of your selected options.
During checkout, I had to select an option acknowledging the 5-week delivery time, but in reality, the chair arrived in about five days. Yamato Home Convenience handled the delivery, bringing the new chair and taking away the old one.
I ordered the “C68DXW-FSG8” model.
I chose the version with a hanger for added convenience.
Since I’d already experienced it in the showroom, I was completely satisfied with its comfort. The reclining control took a bit of getting used to, but the manual made it easy to understand.
I initially considered an aluminum base, but after seeing a catalog photo of a white body paired with a white plastic base, I was instantly drawn to the look and chose the all-white option.
In Conclusion
No matter what chair you buy, it’s essential to find one that suits you and that you’re comfortable with. Start by finding a place where you can try sitting in it. Since it’s a major purchase, a little effort is worth it, and you don’t want to regret it later. Take the time to try it out and buy it with confidence.
The Okamura Sylphy I purchased offers superb comfort, forward-leaning support, and an accessible price point, making it a great value.
