Sleeping On a Tatami Mat – What You Need to Know (Benefits and Drawbacks)

At times we are compensated for the links you click at no cost to you. Learn more about why you should trust our reviews and view our disclosure page.

The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Read our full medical disclaimer.

---

Tatami mats are 2-inch thick firm surfaces that can serve as a flooring material or as a replacement for a bed frame. The Japanese sleep either directly on a tatami mat or on a Japanese futon mattress on top of the mat. There are many benefits to sleeping on a tatami, but it’s not for everyone.

---

Pros and Cons of Sleeping on a Tatami Mat

There are more reasons for sleeping on a tatami mat than against it.

Pros

Health benefits:

• cool nights, no overheating
• proper spinal alignment and good posture
• may alleviate back pain
• may improve breathing and blood circulation

Practical benefits:

• tatami mats are cheaper than common beds and mattresses
• it’s easy to store a tatami mat away if you need room
• it’s really easy to clean and maintain it

Sleeping on a tatami mat means that your body is likely to be in a proper position and you’ll have a comfortable night’s rest. Also, tatami mats help you sleep cool for two reasons – you’re close to the floor where colder air is, and the flat and firm surface of a tatami doesn’t trap heat. Both of these are likely to improve your sleep and to improve your overall health.

Sleeping in a cooler environment is known to help increase your deep sleep and thus improve blood pressure, sharpness of the mind, physical abilities, and much more – there are numerous benefits of good sleep.

Cons

• you’re close to the floor (this can be a problem for people who are sensitive to dust mites or simply don’t like to clean their room!)
• uncomfortable for side sleepers
• not appropriate for people who need a tall bed due to the knee or hip problems
• may not be appropriate for people with certain conditions, like scoliosis and kyphosis

People with severe allergies to dust or dust mites should probably avoid sleeping on a tatami, but this shouldn’t be such a big problem if they clean the place regularly.

Side sleepers will probably hate tatami mats. They would have to lie on a hip and shoulder and wake up to pain in the morning and their spine will be off the whole night. However, this goes only for people who absolutely must sleep on the side. Most will just change the position and lie however suits them at the moment, which in this case is probably on their back.

You should consult your doctor before sleeping on a tatami mat if you have scoliosis or similar conditions. In some cases, tatami may help, but in others, it could worsen the situation.

Also, people who can’t lie down and get up from a low surface on their own should avoid tatami mats. It’s usually a problem for elderly or people with hip or knee problems, and maybe even pregnant women.

---

What’s a Tatami Mat?

Tatami mats are Japanese-style floor covers. Tatami flooring is pleasant to walk on barefoot because it’s firm but still noticeably softer than the floor itself. The dry grass surface gives it a pleasant, natural feel. It also reflects light and makes your living space look better.

In modern Japanese homes, tatamis are not as common as before. But traditionally, they would have a special tatami room for sleeping. As tatami mats were gaining popularity, tatami flooring found its way to all rooms – kitchen, living room, and of course, bedroom/tatami room.

Depending on your sleep preferences, you can sleep directly on a tatami mat or on a futon mattress placed on top of a tatami floor. If you prefer to be elevated, you might want to consider a Japanese-style frame instead.

In Japan, their home hygiene is on a high level. They always take shoes off when they come home, keeping their floors clean and safe to sit and sleep on.

---

What are Tatami Mats Made of?

Tatamis are made up of a core (omote), a surface (doko), and a border (beri). Traditional tatami mats are made of eco-friendly materials only – rice straw fill for the core, tightly-woven rush grass for the surface, and a border made of cotton, linen, or silk.

Modern tatami mats can have a coconut core, a woodchip core, or even a polystyrene core.

Today you can find a wide variety of designs and colors for tatami border bands and they can give a really nice touch to your room. Moreover, these borders can be used for a number of crafts, from small bags to decorations.

Due to the type of materials, tatami mats have a unique smell which is kind of grassy-earthy. If you’re in favor of all things natural, you’ll probably love it!

---

Tatami Mat Vs Futon

Tatami mats are thin and very firm mats placed directly on the floor. They can be used to cover the entire floor (the so-called tatami floor), or just as one panel in the sleeping area, on which one person sleeps.

What if the tatami mat doesn’t provide sufficient comfort? For a cozier feel, a futon can be placed on top of a tatami. So – tatami is just a mat, and futon is a bed. That’s what the word futon literally means – bed. Futon consists of a shikibuton (mattress), a makura (pillow), and a kakebuton (comforter).

Americans like to say “futon” for a sofa that can be transformed into a bed, but a futon in Japan is a different thing.

Shikibuton or shiki futon isn’t a typical mattress. It’s thinner and has a much simpler construction than most modern mattresses you’ve seen. What’s inside? Usually cotton, but it can also have fiberfill or wool. It’s quilted and really easy to fold up, wash, and even hang up and dry.

It has become common to use the words “futon” or “futon mattress” instead of “shikibuton”. Also, shiki futon and shikibuton are synonymous, so just bear that in mind if you’re on a search for a traditional Japanese-style bed.

---

FAQs

Can You Sleep Only on a Tatami Mat?

Yes, you can sleep directly on a tatami if you like super-firm sleeping surfaces and you don’t have a problem with being so close to the floor. A tatami mat will help you sleep cool and keep your spinal alignment in check, which is important for good posture.

Are Tatami Mats Good against SIDS?

They could be. Japan is one of the countries with the lowest number of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases in the world. In Japan, tatami mats and futon mattresses are the most common sleeping surface and parents often co-sleep with their babies. However, almost all Japanese mothers also breastfeed and don’t smoke, so we can’t give all the praise to the sleeping surface. It may be a combination of different favorable behaviors that keep Japanese infants healthy.

Are Tatami Mats Safe?

Tatami mats are equally safe for adults and children. They are even safe for co-sleeping with toddlers. To top it off, kids run no risk of falling off a bed since the sleeping surface is already on the floor.

What are the Benefits of Tatami Mats?

• Cooler sleep
• Better blood circulation
• Reduced back and muscle pain
• Better alignment of the spine
• More room space (easy to store away)
• Cheaper than common beds

Is it Bad to Sleep on the Floor?

Sleeping directly on the floor isn’t comfortable and can cause sores and pains in the points such as shoulders, lower back, hips, etc. But adding some padding will make it tolerable and your spine will be properly aligned (unless you’re a side sleeper). Ideally, use a mat, some blankets, or a tatami mat, and if you need more comfort, add a mattress.

Sleeping on the floor puts you on a lower level, where the colder air is (in case you somehow didn’t know, warm air tends to go up and cool air remains near the floor). Sleeping cool is great, but keeping your head near the floor may not be so great. Depending on what your home is like, you may be putting your face close to dirt, bugs, and mold. If your home is modern and clean, you don’t need to worry about this.

---

---

Related product reviews:

• Best smart beds
• Twin mattresses for adults
• Mattresses without springs

Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?