We are pleased to announce that "Seifu (Seifu)," a storage-equipped raised tatami unit planned, manufactured, and sold by Alpha Takaba Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Representative: Tsuneo Kobayakawa), a furniture manufacturer in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, has won the Gold Award at the "OMOTENASHI Selection 2026," which certifies excellent Japanese products and services (Official Announcement: June 23, 2026).
Seifu is a Japanese-made unit tatami that can create a "raised tatami space" in a corner of the living room without construction, even in homes without a Japanese-style room. In recent years, residential floor space has been shrinking, and rental properties and detached houses with Japanese-style rooms are decreasing year by year. As opportunities to experience tatami are diminishing, Seifu was developed as furniture to bring the tranquility of tatami back into daily life simply by placing it.
Seifu is delivered as a finished product, assembled one by one by skilled craftsmen at our own factory in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, known as a mecca for furniture. It boasts a robust structure that clears a static load capacity of 200kg and quality that deepens with long-term use. It is a product imbued with the tradition of craftsmanship from its production region, setting it apart from mass-produced items that prioritize price.
Award Winning Points - Why "Seifu" Was Recognized on a Global Standard
OMOTENASHI Selection is an award that certifies products and services recognized as "overflowing with "uniquely Japanese" appeal that should be shared with the world" through on-site evaluations by foreign experts residing in Japan. Judging is based on the criteria of "OMOTENASHI (consideration and attention to the user)" and "GLOBAL (whether its appeal can be conveyed to people of other countries from a foreign perspective)."
Seifu was recognized for its innovative approach in re-constructing tatami, a unique Japanese culture, into a form that can be easily incorporated into modern living environments. The tranquility brought by the scent and feel of rush grass, the storage design that effectively utilizes limited living space, and the reliable quality of a finished product assembled one by one by craftsmen at our own factory in Omuta, a furniture production hub. We believe these elements of "hospitality towards the user" have been recognized as a Japanese aesthetic of living that transcends borders.
Product Concept - "A Life with Tatami, Even Without a Japanese-Style Room"
No tatami space. Want storage, but don't want to make the room smaller. Want a place to lie down for a bit. Renovation is expensive.
Seifu addresses these housing concerns with a single piece of furniture.
By creating a raised area separated by a step in a corner of the living room, the space gains definition. The tatami surface becomes a multipurpose relaxation area for reading, napping, children's play, or as a guest room. The space beneath the step can be fully utilized for storage. It is a tatami space for modern homes that simultaneously achieves Japanese comfort and storage capacity.
Seifu in Your Life
● For Reading or Napping - Enjoy your time in any posture, sitting or lying on the floor.
● For Child-Rearing Households - The moderate cushioning gently accommodates children's play and naps.
● For Guests - Use it as a place to sit on the step or as a makeshift guest room.
● For Storage - Neatly store seasonal items and bedding under the tatami.
Seifu Creates a Tatami "Nook"
Currently, the concept of a "nook" is gaining attention among those particular about interior design. A nook is a cozy, comfortable space. It refers to a small, private space within the home where one can find peace.
By simply placing Seifu in a room with flooring, it creates a "tatami nook." The raised area, gently defined by a step, offers a special sense of comfort within the living room, distinct from the continuous space. How about spending your casual moments – reading, dozing, or having tea – in a small nook enveloped by the scent of tatami and rush grass?
The joys of a life with tatami are also introduced as reading material on the brand website "Seifu" (https://seifu-tatami.com/).
Product Features
1. No Construction Required - Delivered as a Finished Product
Seifu is delivered as a finished product, requiring no assembly. It can be installed from the day it arrives, allowing you to easily start a life with tatami even in rental properties. No major renovations are needed.
2. Rich Color Variations
There are 6 tatami colors and 2 wood frame colors (natural and brown). With a total of 12 color options, you can choose a unit that blends naturally with your room's interior. The checkerboard pattern, created by arranging the tatami mats with different grain directions, is also popular for its luxurious and modern look.
3. Three Heights to Choose From, Adapting to Your Lifestyle
Choose from three height options: 20cm, 30cm, and 40cm. The 20cm height offers a gentle step, naturally creating a tatami space. The 30cm height balances interior aesthetics with ease of sitting and storage capacity. The 40cm height is ideal for those prioritizing storage and presence.
4. Health and Tranquility Provided by Rush Grass
We use domestic rush grass for our tatami. It has moderate elasticity, feeling cool in summer and warm in winter. It also possesses moisture-regulating properties (absorption and desorption) and a relaxing effect from its aroma. Tatami surfaces other than natural color are infused with tea components, providing antibacterial, deodorizing, and insect-repellent effects from catechins, along with improved durability and colorfastness, ensuring a high-quality tatami that is healthy, safe, and secure. You can enjoy everyday relaxation by sitting or lying directly on it.
5. Assembled by Craftsmen in Omuta and Delivered as a Finished Product. Durable Professional Assembly
Seifu is produced through integrated manufacturing, where craftsmen assemble each unit one by one at our own factory in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, a furniture production hub. In addition to a robust structure that clears a static load capacity of 200kg, it features floor protection processing to prevent damage to flooring, ensuring safe use even in homes without Japanese-style rooms. It is delivered as a finished product, offering the convenience of simply placing it down, combined with durability unique to regional craftsmanship. This differs from inexpensive, mass-produced tatami units that prioritize price. We also have a support system for repairs and maintenance after purchase, allowing for long-term use.
6. Versatile and Connectable Design, Adapting to Life's Changes
With storage options such as drawer types and lift-top types, and a wide range of sizes, it accommodates various uses, including baby spaces, children's play areas, entryway benches, and lounging spaces. Furthermore, multiple units can be connected, allowing for flexible use over time as your home or family structure changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I create a tatami space even if I don't have a Japanese-style room?
A. Yes. Seifu is a unit tatami that allows you to create a raised tatami space without a Japanese-style room simply by placing it in your living room or other areas with flooring. No construction is required.
Q. Can it be used in rental properties?
A. Yes. It can be installed simply by placing the finished product, allowing you to enjoy a life with tatami even in rental properties that require restoration to their original condition.
Q. Can a raised floor be added later? Is construction required?
A. It can be added later. Seifu is a floor-standing unit tatami that does not require construction, allowing you to introduce a raised floor without renovation.
Q. Is assembly required?
A. No. It is delivered as a finished product, so you can use it from the day it arrives.
Q. Does it include storage?
A. Yes. The design is a raised floor type with storage space beneath the step, allowing you to store bedding, seasonal items, and more. You can choose between a lid type and a drawer type.
Q. Can I choose the tatami color and height?
A. You can choose from 2 wood frame colors (natural and brown) and 6 tatami colors. Three height options are available: 20cm, 30cm, and 40cm.
Q. What is the difference from other companies' inexpensive tatami units?
A. Seifu is a finished product assembled one by one by craftsmen at our own factory in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, a furniture production region. It features a robust structure that clears a static load capacity of 200kg and floor protection processing, and we also offer post-purchase repair and maintenance services. Its durability and quality for long-term use are the key differences from inexpensive mass-produced items.
Q. Will it damage the floor (flooring)?
A. It is safe to use on flooring as it features floor protection processing.
Q. Can multiple units be connected?
A. Yes. Multiple units can be connected. You can use them for a long time while changing the layout according to the size of your room and changes in family composition. Connecting hardware is also available as an option.
Q. I want to create a "nook (a cozy, enclosed space)" at home. Is it suitable for this purpose?
A. Yes. By simply placing Seifu in a corner of your flooring, you can create a small, enclosed tatami space – a "tatami nook." It requires no construction and easily provides a calm space for reading or dozing, even in homes without a Japanese-style room.
Q. I am a corporation. Can I introduce Seifu?
A. Yes. You can purchase it through our online store, or if you are considering a bulk purchase, please contact us directly. Installation locations are diverse, including architectural design offices, public baths, saunas, art museums, museums, libraries, golf courses, fitness studios, chiropractic clinics, bone-setting clinics, inns, guesthouses, hotels, tourist information centers, service areas, airport lounges, traditional Japanese restaurants, izakayas, nursery schools, kindergartens, children's centers, large commercial facilities, beauty salons, clinics, hospitals, nursing care facilities, housing exhibition halls, co-working spaces, shared offices, temples, community centers, and photo studios.
Comments
As homes gradually become smaller and houses with Japanese-style rooms decrease, we developed Seifu with the desire to "bring the tranquility of tatami back to the center of our lives." That scent of tatami I felt at my grandfather's house that day.
We are deeply honored that Japanese culture, tatami, has been recognized for its globally valuable appeal through the eyes of foreign experts. We will continue to deliver furniture that supports such a relaxed lifestyle from the land of Omuta, enabling everyone to easily experience the comfort of tatami, even without a Japanese-style room.
All employees of Alpha Takaba Co., Ltd.
Product Overview
Product Name
Storage-equipped raised tatami unit "Seifu"
Type
Floor-standing unit tatami / Raised storage / High-floor tatami box
Wood Frame Color
Natural, Brown (2 colors)
Tatami Color
6 colors / Uses domestic rush grass
Height
20cm / 30cm / 40cm (3 levels)
Storage Specifications
Drawer type, Lid type / Multiple sizes available / Can be connected to multiple units
Strength and Safety
Clears static load capacity of 200kg / Floor protection processing
Manufacturing System
Integrated manufacturing by craftsmen at our own factory in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture (Made in Japan / Finished product / No assembly required)
Manufacturer and Seller
Alpha Takaba Co., Ltd.
Brand Site
https://seifu-tatami.com/
About OMOTENASHI Selection
"OMOTENASHI Selection" is an award established in 2015 with the aim of discovering and promoting Japanese products and services full of "omotenashi spirit" to the world. Operated by the OMOTENASHI NIPPON Executive Committee, it conducts on-site evaluations by foreign experts residing in Japan. It is evaluated based on the criteria of "OMOTENASHI" and "GLOBAL," and recipients are certified as having "uniquely Japanese" appeal that should be shared with the world. In fiscal year 2026, 149 items were selected from businesses in 37 prefectures nationwide.
Official Website: https://omotenashinippon.jp/selection/
Company Profile
Company Name
Alpha Takaba Co., Ltd.
Location
63-1 Kaneoka, Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Representative Director
Tsuneo Kobayakawa
Business Description
Planning, manufacturing, and sales of furniture (original furniture, character/licensed furniture, etc.)
Production Area
Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture (Omuta Furniture Production Area)
Official Website
https://www.takaba.com/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: New Product