A buckwheat pillow, otherwise known as a Sobakawa, is a traditional Japanese pillow filled with the hulls that encase buckwheat seeds. They are springy under compression but provide a firm, contouring support that supports proper rest of your head and neck positioning. Because they claim to ease tension and strain through spinal alignment, they have become popular sleep support aides for anyone looking for a good night’s rest. The benefits and side effects of a buckwheat pillow are fairly simple due to their simple design, and I’ve provided a quick guide below so you can better determine whether or not it is a product you may want to consider. Buckwheat is a seed-like grain native to Asia. For centuries, it has been a staple for both feeding domestic animals as well as its use for human consumption.