Japanese people take off their shoes so that they don't bring in dirt and wear out the floor mats.
Land is scarce in Japan; therefore Japanese homes and yards are usually small. Traditional Japanese houses are made out of wood. There is little furniture and everything in the home has a very simple style to it. (Although a growing number of Japanese homes have become "westernized" and are filled with televisions, couches and more.) People sit on cushions on the floor and eat at low tables. People sleep on a mattress called a futon, which is stored in a closet during the daytime. Most of the rooms are covered by floor mats called tatami, which are made out of straw . Each room is usually separated by a folding paper screen.
