How to Walk on Tatami

In the tea ceremony, every movement carries meaning.
Even the way you walk on tatami follows an unseen rhythm of steps.

In a Japanese-style room, there are a few places where you should avoid stepping. First, the threshold. Next, the edges of the tatami mats. And finally, the tokonoma alcove. This is not only tea ceremony etiquette but a custom that applies to any Japanese-style room.

During the tea ceremony, utensils are placed directly on tatami. For this reason, tatami mats are cleaned with great care before the tea ceremony. After sweeping with a broom (we use a vacuum cleaner instead), the surface is wiped along the grain with a tightly wrung-out cloth.

At our salon, we invite you to walk on tatami, sit on tatami, and enjoy the uniquely Japanese atmosphere—taking time to relax at your own pace.