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Tatami Mats

Most Japanese homes have floors covered by tatami mats [たたみ・畳]. They are individual mats made of woven straw that is usually covered by a green cloth on the edges. A typical room has between four and a half to six mats. Tatami mats require attention and care to insure their longevity. Vaccum, sweep, or wipe with a damp cloth following the grain for general care. Tatami is very sensitive to any kind of moisture and dirt. Make sure to keep your tatami mats dry. Moisture can lead to permanent damage, which may require replacement. If there is a spill, wipe it immediately and dry with a fan or hairdryer. A few drops of gentle dish soap mixed with water can be used to clean stains and spills. For severe stains, add a few drops of chlorine mixed with warm water then use a cloth or toothbrush to wipe the tatami with the solution. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the mats, because it can cause permanent damage. Using vinegar can also be helpful, especially with odors caused by dairy spills. Tatami cleaning wipes can be purchased to clean surface dirt, but do not mistake these with hardwood floor wipes.

Tatami mats occasionally need direct sunlight for durability. Lifting the mats individually and airing them out in sunlight on both sides is recommended once a year to prevent mold (kabi) [カビ] and tatami ticks (dani) [ダニ]. If you are unable to air them outside, then you can lift them up and use a dehumidifier (jyoshitsuki) [じょしつき・除湿器]. Dehumidifiers range in price from 4,000 yen upwards

Dani are invisible to the naked eye and thrive in moist places. Never wear outdoor shoes in your home, because this can damage the mats and lead to dani. If you are getting bites that aren’t from mosquitoes, then you probably have dani. Dani Ah-Su, which you spray on your mats to kill dani, is available at home centers. After spraying your mats, you should leave your house for several hours.

If your mats require replacement, it can be expensive with each costing between 10,000 to 20,000 yen depending on the quality. Mats are generally not replaced individually, but as a set. Since replacement is costly, it is very important to maintain and care for your tatami mats to ensure they will last for years. Many people put carpet on top of tatami mats, but this is not recommended. This can also lead to mold and dani. Contact your landlord or supervisor to locate the nearest supplier of tatami mats.

Summer (natsu) [なつ・夏]

June, July, and August are considered the months of summer in Japan. During this season, the weather is very hot and humid. Since Japanese homes are different from western homes, there are some important things worth knowing. Due to the high level of humidity, mold will be the main issue during the summer months. Everything from your futon to clothes is in danger of growing mold. With this in mind, it is very important to keep your home well ventilated. Ventilation prevents mold from growing in your home and possibly damaging your belongings. Keep some of your windows open during your travels or you might come back to a mold infestation.

Another recommendation is to invest in a dehumidifier, but an alternative would be to use moisture collecting beads (shikketori) [しっけとり・湿気とり]. These beads are available in many forms, such as in tubs, hangers, and sachets. They can be helpful for areas that do not get ventilation, such as closets. They can cost from 200 yen and up. If clothes are too close to the closet walls and your walls have mold, then your clothes may develop it as well. Since mold is nearly impossible to remove from most fabrics, use the moisture collecting beads and keep your clothes away from the walls. Other susceptible areas are cabinets, drawers, and cupboards.

If you use a padded mattress (futon) [ふとん・布団], be sure to put it away in a closet during the day. This is to prevent mold from growing on the tatami mats. Once a week, hang your futons outside in the sun to air them out and beat them with a futon whacker (tataki) [たたき], a bamboo or plastic stick with a flat and broad end. Airing your futons is an important part of maintaining a healthy home. Futons absorb the body’s moisture, therefore moisture build up can lead to mold growth. If you have several futons that are not being used regularly, then it is recommended to put them in large ziplock bags to keep the moisture out. Putting moisture collecting bead sachets between the futons and blankets will assist in this issue as well.

Winter (fuyu) [ふゆ・冬]

December, January, and February are considered the months of winter in Japan. Unlike many western houses, most Japanese houses do not have central heating or insulation. Due to this reality, many Japanese people only heat one room to save money on energy costs during the winter.
A way to keep your home insulated is by putting sheets of bubble wrap on your windows and sliding glass doors. These are easy to apply, since some are put together by spraying water on the window facing side, or with tape. They are sold in long rolls at home centers.

There are many ways to heat your home, but the most common method is by using a kerosene heater (sekiyu-sutobu) [石油ストーブ]. If you use a non-ventilated heater, then it is very important to open your windows after a few hours to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep your house ventilated for the same amount of time the heater was used. If the smell of kerosene bothers you, then you should consider investing in a ventilated heater. Installing a ventilated heater is costly, but there is the added convenience of not ventilating your house every time you turn on your heater.

Kerosene (toyu) [とうゆ・灯油] can be purchased at most gas service stations. You can buy it by the container or have it delivered to your home. If you prefer to have your toyu delivered to your house or you have a toyu tank, then say the following phrase:

Watashi wa toyu ga hoshii desu kara, (when) haitatsu shite kudasai.
[私は灯油が欲しいですから、 (when) 配達して下さい。]

Other options to keep warm are using electrical heaters, a kotatsu table, a hot water bottle/container, electric blankets, electric carpets, and air conditioners. A kotatsu [こたつ] is an electrical heated table that is covered by a blanket, which people sit under to stay warm. Portable electric heaters are mostly used for heating small areas, such as bathrooms or kitchens for a short period of time. Hot water bottles/containers (yutanpo) [ゆたんぽ・湯たんぽ] are useful to put under your blankets before going to bed. They are cheap, easy to use, and relatively safe.

Electric blankets are another option to stay warm in the winter, but it is not recommended to sleep with them on for safety reasons. Electric carpets can also be used to heat the floor, but it is not recommended they be used as the main source of heating your house. Since daylight is shorter in the winter, a futon dryer is a winter purchase to consider. They help heat your futons and prevent dani. Some even have the dani killer function. Prices range from 5,000 yen and up depending on where you purchase them. In the winter, there will be less humidity, which is necessary for warmth to stay in the air. For a more comfortable winter, a humidifier (kashitsuki) [かしつき] is something to consider buying. They are priced anywhere between 2,000 yen and up depending on the size, quality, and brand. Another alternative is to dry your clothes in the room to increase the level of humidity in the air. All the mentioned appliances and items can be purchased at home centers, electronic stores, and second hand stores.

-Ra Suh