What you need to know about Tatami mats

If you spend time searching ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), restaurants, or other buildings in Japan, you may come across the term tatami mentioned in the descriptions. This traditional flooring is often used as shorthand to demonstrate authentic Japanese design elements, but it’s also a way to express the size of a room. In this blog we explain what tatami is, why it’s so popular, etiquette around it, and a few spots where you can find tatami flooring in Japan. 

Tatami is a traditional Japanese flooring material that has been an integral part of the country's architecture and culture for centuries. Its construction and materials have evolved over time, but its essence remains deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.

Structurally, tatami consists of a core made from compressed rice straws tightly bound together, and the surface is typically covered with a woven straw, which adds to its durability and aesthetic appeal. This meticulous construction process results in a firm yet slightly yielding surface, providing comfort and insulation. These elements also give new tatami mats a refreshing straw-like fragrance.

Tatami mats are usually rectangular, and room sizes are often expressed in the number of tatami mats they have. Most times, they are twice as long as they are wide, but their specific measurements vary slightly depending on the region of Japan:

Edoma tatami mats measure 176 cm x 88 cm and are used throughout the country, mainly in the Kanto region and the regions north of Kanto. 

Kyoma tatami mats measure 191 cm x 95.5 cm. This variety is thought to have emerged in Kyoto and is mostly used in west Japan. 

Chukyoma tatami mats measure 182 cm x 91 cm and are rooted in the area around Nagoya; they can be found around Aichi and Gifu. 

Danchima tatami mats measure 170 cm x 85 cm and are a more modern size, known to be used in apartments and housing complexes. 

Ryukyu tatami mats are slightly different from the rest, as they’re square-shaped (88 cm x 88 cm) with no heri (embroidered border).

There are several theories on why the different sizes emerged, but one theory is due to the differences in the way houses were built. In the Kansai region, the pillars of a house were based on tatami size, while in the Kanto region, the tatami were placed based on the distance between pillars. The difference in size is worth considering when a room is described as having “eight tatami”; depending on the specific mats used, the room size can vary fairly significantly. 

Traditionally, tatami served as flooring in Japanese homes, particularly in rooms designated for tea ceremonies, meditation, and sleeping. Its natural materials and construction allowed for good air circulation, moisture control, and insulation, making it ideal for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year. 

Etiquette note — if you encounter a tatami mat room in Japan, in most cases, you should remove your shoes before stepping on them.

While traditional Japanese architecture remains prevalent in modern times, tatami have also found their way into contemporary interior design. Though still commonly used in Japanese-style rooms (washitsu), tatami have also been incorporated into western-style homes and apartments to add a touch of Japanese aesthetic and functionality. Additionally, tatami-inspired products such as flooring tiles and mats have gained popularity for their versatility and eco-friendliness, appealing to a broader audience beyond Japan.

Yufuin Baien Garden Resort

Yufuin Baien Garden Resort at the foot of Mount Yufu is a charming retreat where guests can enjoy the slow pace of life. Take your time enjoying each of the hotel’s hot spring baths: an outdoor bath, cypress bath, and the private yet spacious outdoor bath. The property’s eight-acre garden is planted with plum and cherry trees, and on summer nights it comes aglow with fireflies. Guests can opt for Japanese-western fusion rooms with tatami and western beds.

Ryokan Kiyokawa

Staying at Ryokan Kiyokawa in Saga Prefecture feels like staying at home; this comfortable hotel gives an insight into living as a local in Japan. Enjoy tatami mat rooms, kotatsu heated tables in cooler months, impeccably presented seasonal cuisine, and hot spring baths.

Shizuka Hanaougi

Shizuka Hanaougi in Kyotango City of Kyoto Prefecture is a beachside hot spring ryokan with spectacular coastal views and seasonal cuisine. Guests can bathe in the communal baths overlooking the sea or enjoy watching the sunset from their terrace in the ocean-view rooms. Rooms feature tatami mat flooring, and some have western beds. 

Tatami mats also offer a safer alternative to tiled flooring around the hot spring baths — particularly useful when considering the elderly and young children. The following accommodations all feature tatami hot springs.

Oshu Akiu Onsen Rantei

Oshu Akiu Onsen Rantei in Sendai is a ryokan designed for families with very young children. This certified “baby-friendly” hotel features tatami mats around the hot spring bath, so families can bathe with their kids and not have to worry about slippery or hard flooring. Other features include changing tables, a shop stocked with baby essentials such as diapers and wipes, a garden with a walking path, a play area, and other rentable goods for young children.

Tateshina Shinyu Onsen

Tateshina Shinyu Onsen in Nagano Prefecture is an historic hotel dating back to 1926. Its scenic location and library lounge of 30,000 books make it a stunning place to nestle in for a day of lounging and reading. The hotel has a couple of bath options, and one of them includes tatami flooring, which is hygienic and safe for everyone — including children and the elderly.

Gero Onsen Ogawaya

Gero Onsen Ogawaya is in Gero Onsen, one of Japan’s three best-known hot springs. This exceptional property overlooks the Hida River in Gifu Prefecture and has five public and nine private baths. It features a huge 100-tatami mat bath, one of the biggest in the country.