Watch, learn, and create your own tatami at this family-run workshop where the scent of rush grass and the techniques of craft connect you to Japan’s living heritage.

Tatami isn’t just what covers the floors of Japanese rooms. At Miyazaki Tatami Shop in the quiet countryside of Yoshimi, about an hour drive from Tokyo, you can experience the cultural significance of each piece of interlaced straw firsthand. The workshop is now led by Satoshi Miyazaki, a nationally certified Tatami Meister and award-winning craftsman dedicated to preserving this centuries-old art in the modern age. His workshop blends history and innovation, where traditional hand-sewing techniques meet carefully maintained machinery.

At Miyazaki Tatami Shop, you can watch tatami being made up close and even try making one yourself through the Mini Tatami Experience. Learning to make tatami is not only an encounter with technique but also with philosophy. Every stitch embodies care, patience, and respect for the materials. As Japan’s architectural traditions evolve, craftsmen like Miyazaki keep this heritage alive, balancing sustainability and artistry.