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What you’ll do

Tour the tatami studio and learn about the history of tatami in Japan and of traditional tatami-making techniques. Then, receive instruction on how to sew your very own goza tatami mat. Finally, take a trip to the nearby Yoshimi Hundred Caves if the weather allows.

Who can attend

Children must be 7+

Availability

Monday - Friday
Session 1 (9:30 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:00 - 15:30)

Access

1 hour 15 minutes from Tokyo Station.

Includes

Transportation to/from Higashi-Matsuyama station to the tatami studio

Traditional Statement of Comfort

The most important element of the Japanese washitsu room is the tatami. Made of compressed, woven fibers and traditionally rectangular in shape, tatami historically served as seating for the aristocrats and nobility. In the present, they can be seen everywhere, from traditional tea rooms to upscale ryokan inns, from the inside rooms of historic temples to the rooms of modern Japanese homes. Known as natural humidifiers, tatami are functional all year round, cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While the use of the tatami has evolved through history and established its place in modern Japanese society, the craft has turned from traditional hand sewing to machine sewing. However, this studio of one of Japan’s top tatami artisans has stayed steadfast in continuing the tradition of hand-sewing tatami. In addition to keeping alive the technique of hand sewing, the tatami master has sought new ways to bring tatami into the modern world, by crafting tatami-inspired inventions. Under the guidance of the master artisan, sew your very own tatami mat and experience crafting a tangible piece of Japanese cultural history.