Custom Tatami Mats from Japan for a Tea Room in Nebraska

Creating a Japanese Tea Space with Custom-Made Tatami Mats

As late summer gradually moves toward autumn, creating a quiet space at home for tea, relaxation, or simply slowing down can make everyday life more enjoyable. This time, we are pleased to introduce a customer in Nebraska, United States, who created a beautiful Japanese-style tea parlor in his living room using custom tatami mats handmade in Japan.

Looking for Authentic Japanese Tatami in America

Before ordering from Tokyo Tatami Maker, the customer had already noticed that demand for tatami mats seemed to be growing in the United States. However, many products he found were mass-produced factory-made mats.

Instead, he wanted something different: authentic Japanese tatami made with traditional materials, carefully constructed, and custom-sized to fit his room.

Therefore, he spent time researching companies online, including discussions on Reddit, to understand which businesses offered authentic Japanese tatami and which mainly sold mass-produced products.

He also looked through our website and social media before making his decision. In other words, he did not order immediately. He first wanted to make sure that the quality and craftsmanship matched what he was looking for.

Checking the Tatami Quality Before Ordering

Before placing the full order, the customer requested our Optional Tatami Samples.

Samples are useful when purchasing tatami internationally because they allow customers to see and touch the material before deciding. In addition, natural igusa has its own texture, appearance, and distinctive fresh-grass aroma.

Optional Tatami Samples

USD 30 including international shipping from Japan
Choose up to 6 different tatami samples
The price remains USD 30 even when selecting fewer samples

Sample request form: https://s.s-tatami.info/2INTkB7

After confirming the quality with the samples, the customer proceeded with his custom order.

Custom-Made Tatami for a Living-Room Tea Parlor

For this project, we manufactured three tatami mats in Japan.

Tatami	Classic Black-Heri Igusa Akebono
Tatami edge	Tortoise Shell Blue
Size 1	80 × 35 × 1.2 inches — Quantity: 2 mats
Size 2	32.5 × 35 × 1.2 inches — Quantity: 1 mat
Destination	Nebraska, United States

Layout Diagram (2 sheets measuring 80 × 35 inches + 1 sheet measuring 32.5 × 35 inches; close-up of the tortoiseshell-patterned border)

Igusa is the natural rush grass traditionally used for the surface of Japanese tatami. Heri refers to the decorative fabric border along the edges of a tatami mat.

Most importantly, the different sizes allowed the three mats to fit the intended area of the living room. Consequently, the customer could create a defined Japanese tea space without rebuilding the entire room.

As the photographs show, the tatami works beautifully with the folding screens, hanging scroll, tea utensils, and Japanese textiles. At the same time, the room remains part of a modern American home. This combination is a good example of how tatami can be incorporated naturally into interiors outside Japan.

Coordinating with Folding Screens, Hanging Scrolls, and Tea Ceremony Utensils

Custom Sizes Are Also Available for Interior Projects

Rooms outside Japan are rarely designed around standard Japanese tatami dimensions. For that reason, Tokyo Tatami Maker can manufacture tatami according to the dimensions required for a particular space.

This can be especially useful not only for homeowners but also for:

Interior designers
Architects and design studios
Remodeling and renovation companies
Japanese restaurants
Hotels and hospitality projects
Tea rooms and meditation spaces

Therefore, if standard-size tatami does not fit a planned interior, custom manufacturing may offer a practical solution. Two-color edge combinations are available at no extra charge, so designers and homeowners can match tatami to their existing color scheme without added cost.

“Very Happy” with the Authentic Touch and Smell of Igusa

After installing the tatami, the customer told us:

“Very happy. Seems like quality built with authentic touch and smell of igusa grass.”

He also said that it was a pleasure doing business with us and that he would keep Tokyo Tatami Maker in mind for future projects.

For us, this feedback is particularly meaningful because authenticity and custom sizing were the two main reasons he chose our tatami in the first place.

Japanese Tatami Can Be Ordered from Overseas

You do not need to live in Japan to create a room with authentic Japanese tatami. Tokyo Tatami Maker ships worldwide, manufacturing tatami in Japan and accepting inquiries from customers around the world. Moreover, when necessary, we can discuss custom dimensions based on the size and layout of your room.

Whether you are creating a small tea corner at home, designing a Japanese-inspired interior for a client, or planning a larger renovation project, please feel free to contact us.

If you are considering authentic Japanese tatami, Tokyo Tatami Maker is happy to help you choose the right type, size, and specifications for your space. Get a custom size quote today.