Yusuke Higuchi is a premier tatami craftsman based in Tokyo, Japan, dedicated to delivering authentic Japanese comfort to homes worldwide. He perfected his craft in Kyoto under the tutelage of a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" (Medal with Yellow Ribbon recipient), mastering the millimeter-level precision required for temples and high-end tea rooms.
- 🏆 Award: Winner of the Kyoto Tatami Competition (Governor’s Award)
- 📜 Certification: National Level 1 Tatami Craftsmanship (The highest in Japan)
- 🌎 Global Service: Specializing in custom-made tatami mats for international shipping.
Hello, this is Higuchi from Higuchi Tatami Shop in Tokyo, Japan.
One day, I received an email written in English.
It was from Mr. Sifis, who lives in Greece.
He wrote:
“I experienced sleeping on tatami during my trip to Japan, and I was deeply impressed by the comfort. Is it possible to purchase tatami?”
That single message marked the beginning of a project that would cross borders.
Japan and Greece are about 9,000 km apart.
Different languages, different cultures—yet we shared the same goal:
to bring the comfort of tatami into his daily life.
Why We Chose a Special Tatami Structure
The most important challenge was simple:
👉 How can we recreate the authentic tatami sleeping experience outside Japan?
Traditional tatami in Japan is made with a straw core (called wara-doko), which provides natural cushioning and breathability.
However, exporting straw-core tatami overseas presents serious challenges:
- High international shipping costs due to weight
- Plant quarantine restrictions in many countries
- Risk of customs rejection
Because of these limitations, we needed a different approach.
Our Solution
We designed a custom tatami structure using:
👉 Insulation board + thermal layer + judo-grade felt (40mm thickness)
Why Judo-Grade Felt?
- Provides excellent cushioning similar to traditional tatami
- Durable and resistant to long-term compression
- Lightweight for international shipping
- Suitable for modern flooring environments
👉 From a craftsman’s perspective:
We do not simply “make tatami.”
👉 We create tatami that fits the customer’s lifestyle.
The 40mm thickness is critical.
Too thin → loses comfort and authenticity
Too thick → increases weight and shipping cost
This balance requires experience and professional judgment.
Building Trust Across Borders
For international customers, ordering from Japan can be stressful.
Common concerns include:
- Will the product actually arrive?
- Is the quality reliable?
- Is the payment secure?
To address these concerns, we focused on transparency.
What We Did
- Secure payment via PayPal
- Regular photo updates during production
- Clear explanation of shipping and customs
- Honest communication about timelines and risks
👉 Our principle was simple:
“If they cannot see us, we must show them everything.”
Because tatami cannot be sampled in advance, visual communication is essential.
A Photo from Greece
The tatami was shipped in mid-December and safely arrived in Greece.
Later, I received another email—along with a photo.
It showed a calm, relaxing space with tatami laid out beautifully.
👉 At that moment, tatami became part of everyday life in Greece.
The foldable tatami design blended naturally into the space, and the 40mm thickness added a sense of stability and presence.
Customer Feedback
“It is beautifully made and absolutely perfect.
I truly appreciate the craftsmanship and careful communication.
I am looking forward to sleeping on it with a futon in the future.”
For a craftsman, there is no greater joy than this.
Tatami Beyond Japan
Through this experience, I realized something important:
👉 Tatami is not limited to Japan.
The scent, the texture, and the comfort—
these qualities can be appreciated anywhere in the world.
From a small tatami workshop in Tokyo to homes across the globe.
Traditional Japanese craftsmanship still has great potential.
Contact & International Orders
Directly from a Japanese Master Craftsman
to Your Home Worldwide
Custom-made & International Shipping Available
[ Recommended ]
Send photos for a quick estimate via LINE
*English communication available via Email and LINE.
*Global shipping is handled with professional heavy-duty packaging.
*Inquiries are welcome 24/7. We will respond as soon as possible.
Thank you very much, Mr. Sifis, for trusting us.
We sincerely appreciate this opportunity.
👉 We accept international orders and custom tatami requests.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
Higuchi Tatami Shop – Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan
▶︎Higuchi Tatami Shop - Contact Form for International Customers
▶︎Domestic Tatami Replacements: From Budget Igusa Mats to Premium Grades – Complete Price Guide
江戸川区に根差し、地域に寄り添う畳店
一級技能士の店主が直接お伺いし、
あなたの大切な畳を診断・施工いたします。
表替え 4,000円〜 (税込4,400円〜)
※強引な営業は一切いたしません。江戸川区・葛飾区を中心に、
一級技能士の誇りを持って丁寧に対応させていただきます。
