Family Inada Massage Chairs: A Piece of History

We no longer carry the Family Inada line. This page displays our archive; you cannot place orders here, but the information remains available for reference. Our current selection can be found under " Massage Chairs."

Do you own a Family Inada massage chair? When you buy a new one, we'll take your old one as a trade-in: old for new (trade-in).

In 1962, Family Inada built the world’s first automatic massage chair. The Osaka-based company is thus one of the industry’s pioneers, right alongside Fujiiryoki. While there are currently no authorized dealers for the brand in Germany, you’ll frequently come across these chairs in stores and on the secondhand market. This page provides an overview of the brand: its history, well-known models, and what you, as an owner, should know today.

The Brand: A Pioneer from Osaka Since 1962

Company founder Nichimu Inada introduced the “Family Chair” in 1962—the first automatic shiatsu massage chair, which is where the company’s name comes from. While “ Fujiiryoki ” mechanized the kneading motion in 1954, “Family Inada” introduced automation: The chair runs through a program rather than simply operating until someone turns it off. To this day, the company sees itself as a manufacturer with roots in preventive medicine and conducts its development in Japan; the latest models are now also manufactured in China.

Milestones Over 60 Years

Well-Known Models

The Sogno DreamWave is the face of the brand: the eponymous DreamWave basin motion gently rocks the body from side to side, complemented by an elaborate shoulder air massage. Also available are the Therapina Robo therapy line, the more compact 3S and 3S Flex models, the Robostic, and the W1 Plus Multi Star. All of these models are listed at the top of our archive, with dimensions and features for your reference.

Do you own a Family Inada?

If so, you’re sitting on a piece of industry history—and likely on a device that’s been around for quite a few years. The real issue is the availability of replacement parts: For many models, replacement parts have not been manufactured in Japan for years—in some cases, for decades. On top of that, the brand’s European importer and distributor went out of business in 2025. Since then, owners have largely been left without an official point of contact, and in practice, this usually means that spare parts are no longer available. Two options remain. For older models, Alpha Techno was the distributor; in some cases, it’s still possible to obtain parts there—but this must be checked on a per-device basis. We’ve also acquired small quantities of parts for the DreamWave and the 3S Flex from the importer’s liquidation; there isn’t much left. Where possible, we still support Inada owners: in some cases, we have direct access to the manufacturing plants in China. It costs nothing to ask, but we can’t make any promises.

And what if your massage chair no longer works as it should? When you buy a new one from us, we’ll give you credit for your old one: trade in your old chair for a new one. To see which current models carry on the Japanese tradition, check out our collection of Japanese massage chairs. And if you’d like to be among the first to learn how the industry began, read: Who Invented the Massage Chair?

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Inada

Is Family Inada a good brand?

Family Inada is one of Japan's pioneers and has produced two internationally acclaimed armchairs: the H.9 and the Sogno DreamWave. When buying a used chair today, the key consideration is less the brand and more the age of the individual piece and the availability of replacement parts.

Is the Family Inada still sold in Germany?

There are currently no Family Inada dealers in Germany; the European importer went out of business in 2025. Most of the appliances in this country date from earlier years of distribution or come from the secondhand market.

What sets Family Inada apart from Fujiiryoki?

Both are from Osaka and both are considered pioneers: Fujiiryoki built the first massager chair in 1954, while Family Inada built the first one with automatic programs in 1962. Fujiiryoki continues to be represented in Germany with its current models, while Family Inada currently has no distributor here.

As of August 28, 2026. Sources: Wikipedia (English), WIPO Company Profile, Family Inada Brand History. Overview of all brands: An Overview of Massage Chair Manufacturers.

Would you like to see the entire selection first? Here's an overview of all our massage chairs with on-site consultation and test seats.