Japanese-Style Interiors: 14 Pro Picks for Ryokans & Restaurants

Introduction

 “I want to create a Japanese-style interior, but I’m not sure what materials are available.”
“Are there any traditional-style flooring options other than tatami?”
“Can I create a unified Japanese atmosphere for the walls and windows too?”
“I don’t know which materials would suit my facility best…”

If any of these thoughts brought you here, you’re not alone.
In fact, there are far more materials that can evoke a sense of “Wa” (Japanese harmony) than you might imagine — for floors, walls, and even window areas.

From modern Japanese restaurants and ryokans to traditional-style cafés, we’ve selected materials that balance appearance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.

By coordinating not only the flooring but also the walls and windows, you can create a unified and harmonious space.
Here, we’ll introduce carefully selected Japanese-style interior materials, organized into three easy-to-understand categories.

•  Japanese-Style Flooring
•  Japanese-Style Wall Materials
•  Japanese-Style Window Décor

We hope you’ll find the perfect materials to create the ideal atmosphere for your space or business!

Japanese-Style Flooring: Crafting the First Impression of Your Space

For those seeking Japanese-style interior materials for ryokans or traditional restaurants, here’s a look at some of the most popular flooring options used in modern Japanese-style spaces—complete with real installation examples.

In fact, many of these materials are used in actual ryokan renovation projects, and when choosing flooring for restaurants, maintaining a unified “Wa” aesthetic is highly recommended.

The floor is the first thing people notice when they enter a space. Especially in areas where you want to emphasize a Japanese atmosphere, the choice of flooring material plays a crucial role.

In this section, we’ll introduce carefully selected Japanese-style flooring materials that are widely used in professional settings—balancing appearance, functionality, and practical features to achieve the perfect harmony.

Floor Tiles (Japanese Wood & Stone Patterns)

　 ■ Durable even with shoes on — ideal for creating a refined Wa-modern atmosphere.

A wide variety of stone and wood grain designs that evoke a calm, traditional Japanese atmosphere.

• Highly resistant to scratches and stains, ideal for high-traffic areas

• Easy to clean and maintain a lasting beauty

• Perfect for lobbies, hallways, dining areas, and parts of guest rooms

 

⇒「I want it to look traditionally Japanese, but it also needs to be durable since people wear shoes.”
This flooring material meets those needs, combining aesthetic design with practical functionality.

Want to learn more about floor tiles and their features? Click below for details.

Carpet Tiles (Japanese Patterns & Wood Designs)

　 ■ For a calm atmosphere with a quiet and gentle flooring touch.

・A rich selection of Japanese-inspired designs, including ichimatsu (checkered) and woven-style patterns.

• High sound absorption reduces footstep noise — perfect for creating a calm, quiet atmosphere.

• Easy maintenance: if stained, individual tiles can be replaced as needed.

• Ideal for ryokan hallways, Japanese restaurant seating areas, and waiting rooms.

 

⇒This flooring is perfect for those who want to create a calm and soothing Japanese-style space.

 Custom Carpets (Japanese Patterns & Style)

 　Achieve a perfect fit that brings harmony and elegance to your space.

• The biggest advantage is that it can be custom-sized to perfectly fit large or irregularly shaped spaces.

• A wide selection of elegant Japanese patterns, such as ichimatsu (checkered), ryūsui (flowing water), and asanoha (hemp leaf).

• Commonly used in hotel and ryokan banquet halls, large rooms, and ceremonial spaces.

• Commercial-grade options are also available for shoe-wearing areas, making it easy to choose based on your needs.

  

⇒ “I want to cover the entire space with a single piece.”
“The standard sizes don’t fit, but I still want to keep a Japanese atmosphere.”
This flooring is the perfect solution for those needs.

  Vinyl Sheet Flooring (Wax-Free / Japanese Wood & Stone Patterns)
　 ■ Preserves the beauty of “Wa” with both aesthetics and functionality — even in high-traffic areas.

Durable, shoe-friendly flooring ideal for entrances, hallways, and dining areas.

• Japanese-style wood and stone designs that preserve the traditional atmosphere of the space

• Highly resistant to scratches and stains, easy to clean — perfect for busy facilities and high-traffic areas

• Excellent maintenance and hygiene performance: wax-free, chemical-resistant, deodorizing, antibacterial, and antiviral

 

“I want to keep it looking beautiful for a long time.”
“I want to reduce cleaning effort.”
“But I still want to preserve the Japanese atmosphere.”
This is a professional-grade “showcase floor” that meets all those needs.

 

  Modular Tatami Mats (Okidatami)
　 ■ Perfect for easily adding the calm, traditional atmosphere of tatami to any space.

• Simply place them down — instantly create a Japanese-style space

• Ideal for adding tatami to specific areas such as raised platforms, guest rooms, or waiting rooms

• Easy to remove or rearrange when changing layouts, making restoration quick and simple

 

“It’s difficult to install full traditional tatami, but I’d like to add a touch of Japanese tranquility.”
This is the perfect option for just that.

Rattan Tiles
　■ Luxurious natural flooring with a smooth, refreshing feel.

• Woven from genuine rattan, offering the natural texture of an authentic material

• Feels smooth and pleasant under bare feet

• Recommended for private dining rooms, raised seating areas, and waiting rooms in Japanese restaurants

• Its cool appearance makes it perfect for summer interiors

⇒ Though slightly more expensive, this premium flooring is chosen by facilities that value authentic texture and want their guests to experience a sense of luxury.

  Cushion Flooring (Woven & Japanese Paper Style)
　■ Add a soft touch of “Wa” to areas with water or where people walk barefoot.

• Soft and comfortable underfoot with gentle cushioning

• Available in a wide range of Japanese-style designs such as woven textures, washi (paper) patterns, and hemp leaf motifs

• Highly resistant to water and stains, making cleaning effortless

• Perfect for dressing rooms, restrooms, and wash areas

 

“I want to add a touch of Japanese style while keeping costs down.”
“This material is also great for small spaces or areas around water.”

A very practical and easy-to-handle flooring option.

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English translation:

Japanese-Style Wall Materials: Designs That Define the Atmosphere of “Wa”

Walls, together with floors and windows, play a key role in setting the overall mood of a space.
In particular, in a Japanese-style interior, the wall itself often becomes a central element of expression.

Here, we introduce a curated selection of wall materials that capture the essence of Japanese design — including not only traditional wallpaper, but also decorative films, which have recently been gaining attention.

Japanese-Patterned Wallpaper (Vinyl Cross)

　■ The classic choice for easily incorporating a touch of “Wa.”

• Subtle textures such as shikkui (plaster), washi (Japanese paper), and woven styles help create a refined atmosphere

• Even replacing just a section of the wall can transform the space with ease

• Flexible cost adjustment according to room size and budget

• Ideal for restaurant walls, ryokan guest rooms, or as accent walls in hallways

 

“I just want to add a touch of Japanese style.”
“Maybe I’ll start with a small section first.”
This option is perfect for you.

Paper & Fabric Wallpaper
　■ A texture-focused choice, perfect for creating an elegant, high-quality space.

Made from authentic washi paper or fabric materials, offering a distinctive tactile richness.

• Elegant and refined appearance that changes subtly with the light

• Perfect for luxury ryokans, modern Japanese-style private rooms, and salons

 

⇒ Though more expensive, this material is well worth it for spaces that aim to offer a premium experience and stand out through atmosphere and quality.

 

Japanese-Style Glass Film
　■ Perfect for adding soft light and a gentle touch of Japanese ambience.

• Features washi-style designs reminiscent of traditional shoji or fusuma screens

• Softly diffuses natural light while maintaining privacy with gentle translucency

• Available in various patterns such as lattice, milky-white plain, and kumiko-style designs — suitable for both traditional and modern interiors

• Commonly used for guest room bathrooms, shop partitions, and glass privacy panels — offering an excellent balance of aesthetics and functionality

• Note: Once applied, it adheres firmly, so it is generally not intended for easy removal or restoration

  

⇒ “I want to create privacy without using curtains.”
This material perfectly meets that need — combining the beauty of Japanese design with practical functionality.

  Decorative Film (Japanese Patterns)
　■ Add a realistic touch of “Wa” to walls, doors, and fixtures.

• Offers realistic textures and depth—such as wood grain, washi paper, and stone patterns—that wallpaper alone can’t achieve

• Embossed surface provides refined light reflection and a tactile, three-dimensional feel

• Can be applied to walls, pillars, counters, doors, and fixtures to create a unified Japanese tone throughout the space

• Ideal for enhancing existing surfaces with a touch of elegance and sophistication

⇒ “I want to bring out a stronger sense of Japanese style.”
“I’d like to upgrade areas that look a bit plain or inexpensive.”
This material is a popular choice for such needs.
Note: Not suitable for use on glass surfaces.

 

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Japanese-Style Window Treatments: Gently Balancing Light and Privacy

In designing a Japanese-style space, it’s important to go beyond simple light blocking — to also consider how light enters and how it shapes the atmosphere.
By thoughtfully choosing window materials, you can bring the entire space much closer to a genuine sense of “Wa.”

Here, we introduce modern Japanese-style window treatment options that blend beautifully with contemporary architecture.

Kyōgi Sudare (Wood Veneer Bamboo-Blind Style Roll Screen)
　■ Softens sunlight while providing just the right level of privacy.

• Features a bamboo-blind-like texture that offers a natural look and excellent breathability

• Gently blocks direct sunlight while allowing soft, diffused light to filter through

• Commonly used in Japanese restaurants, salons, and as partitions in lobbies

• Roll-up design allows easy adjustment and convenient operation

 

“I want to control sunlight without ruining the atmosphere.”
“Fabric curtains feel too heavy, but sudare blends perfectly with a Japanese setting.”
This item is the perfect choice for such situations.

Wooden Blinds (Available in Japanese-Style Colors)
　■ Gentle wooden texture that harmonizes beautifully with Japanese-style rooms.

• The natural texture of real wood blends seamlessly with modern Japanese interiors

• Adjustable slat widths and colors (such as natural, brown, or black) pair beautifully with tatami or wood-grain flooring

• Allows fine control of light and privacy for a soft, balanced ambiance

• A popular choice for shop windows and ryokan guest rooms

 

Chosen by those who seek not only shade but also a sense of warmth in their space, this window treatment perfectly balances aesthetics and functionality.”

Pleated screen (washi-style)
■ Gently divides the space while letting in soft natural light

• The soft, washi-like fabric blends naturally into both traditional Japanese rooms and modern interiors.

• Can be opened and closed from both top and bottom, making it easy to adjust light and privacy.

• Available in a wide variety of designs, including plain, woven patterns, and gentle gradations.

• Its flexibility makes it suitable not only for windows but also as partitions or finishing accents in small spaces.

 

“A screen that meets your wishes when you want the soft translucence of a shoji or to divide a space with a gentle atmosphere.”

 

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In Conclusion

At Wacodo Pro, we have a proven track record of supplying a wide range of interior materials to ryokans, hotels, Japanese restaurants, and traditional-style shops.
From those many installations, we’ve carefully selected the most practical and visually appealing “Japanese-style” materials to introduce in this guide.

Creating a harmonious wa (Japanese) atmosphere depends greatly on choosing the right materials for floors, walls, and window coverings.

Beyond functionality and ease of installation, the appearance and the ambiance these materials create can have a powerful impact on how your space feels to guests.

We hope you’ve found at least one material here that makes you think, “This could be perfect!”

If you have any questions about product details, material selection, budgeting, or combining different finishes, please feel free to contact Wacodo Pro.
We’ll be happy to help you find the ideal materials for your Japanese-style interior.

You can also request free samples from each product page — don’t hesitate to order samples of the ones that catch your eye!