Struggling to Find Authentic Tatami Mats in Europe – Need Help!

Hello and please hear me out! :’)

My girlfriend and I have recently decided to switch to a traditional Japanese sleeping setup after doing thorough research. We have the right anatomy for it to benefit our posture and sleep quality.

However, we’re really struggling to find proper tatami mats to go under our shikibuton. We’re specifically looking for:

•2 tatami mats

•Made in Japan or Taiwan

•Rice straw core with igusa rush grass top

•Thickness of 5.5 cm (standard traditional thickness)

We’ve researched the history of tatami, traditional workshops in Japan and Taiwan, and everything in between. We’re based in Ireland (Europe) and have found it incredibly difficult and frustrating to find mats that are:

•Authentic

•Chemical-free (we have two cats and need them to be pet-safe)

•Not outrageously expensive to ship

Here’s what we’ve tried so far:

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1. Shoji-bau.com – Imports authentic custom tatami from Kyoto. Got quoted €500 per mat + €500 shipping, so €1500 total for two mats around 80×190 cm. We’re fine with €500 per mat, but the shipping cost is just too much for us.
2. Japanwelt.de – Offers premium Taiwanese tatami. They initially replied quickly, but after I asked if the mats were pet-safe and requested proof of no chemical treatment and proof of the mats being made by a family owned business like they claim, they ghosted me. Sent 3 follow-ups and even tried a different email. No reply/shipping quote was ever given. Feels sketchy.
3. Amazon / Amazon.jp – Mostly mats made in China. Many reviews mention chemical smells, poor build, synthetic core, and too thin (usually 3 cm or less). Not suitable for daily sleeping and likely not chemical-free. Overpriced for something not authentic.
4. Karup Design – Confirmed their tatami mats are made in China and treated with toxic mold-killing agents and dyes. Not safe for pets.

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We’ve also considered reaching out directly to traditional workshops in Japan and Taiwan, as we’d love to support authentic makers—but finding them online is extremely difficult. Many are local, traditional, and don’t have an international presence.

And even if we could contact them, we worry about customs and import fees on delivery to Ireland being unaffordable.

At this point, we’re honestly feeling defeated and upset. We only need two mats, not a full tatami room. We just want something authentic, non-toxic, and under €1000 total including shipping to Ireland.

If anyone has experience, contacts, suggestions, or resources, we would be incredibly, genuinely grateful for your help.

Thank you so much for reading!