Tatami mats are a popular choice in Japan but there are some disadvantages to the sleeping mattress option that might not work well with your lifestyle.

KYOTO--Remarkable tatami mat mosaics are on display at the city's Komyoin temple. These tatami are not like the mats found in Japanese homes. They are more like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

KYOTO--With demand for tatami plunging in Japan, a specialized trading firm here is eyeing a potential market of 2 billion people for the traditional mats. The company is selling tatami mats that ...