Furniture on tatami OK?

Is it OK to directly put furniture (heavy bookshelves, sofa, etc) on top of tatami? Or is there something you need to put between the furniture and tatami to protect it. Also, where the tatami hits the wall, the tatami edge creates a slight uneven joint that prevents bookshelves fitting flush into the 90 degree wall/floor angle.

So, what's the usual way to handle this, please?

If you go to any home center or even some 100 yen shops, you can buy rubber pads to put beneath your furniture.
There are all types including those designed to reduce vibration during earthquakes.

Often furniture like bookshelves comes with short straps with screw holes on both ends.
You screw one end into the wall and attach the other end to the furniture.

You should be able to find this at a home center also but check with your landlord first about screwing things into the wall.

Thanks!

What's the Japanese for the protective cover?

Cover for what specifically?

Mainly for bookshelves.

For something like that generally the katakana word カバー (cover) conveys the correct meaning.

Search or ask for タンスカバー (dresser cover) or 本棚カバー(bookshelf cover).

Sorry, I meant 'protective MAT'(not cover) to go between bottom of bookshelves and the tatami to protect the latter.

I thought the original poster was asking about the rubber (protective) pads to place underneath the furniture?

If you want rubber pads to place on pointed ends (such as legs of chairs) you could ask for "gomu ashi" (rubber "foot," so to say).

If you want to place bookshelves (no legs but solid bottom panel) you could just get a sturdy rug to place underneath.


If you go to home center and ask for "tansu kabaa" (dresser cover) or "hondana kabaa" (bookshelf cover) as suggested, then you are likely to get some puzzled looks, or get shown plastic/vinyl cover you place OVER these pieces of furniture to protect against dust.

If OP is renting a room, it is usually a bit No No to put nails/screws on the wall.
To prevent furniture falling, there're simple wedge type plates available to put under the furniture.
http://www.hansokuhin.com/item/K190146.html
http://livingut.com/products/p-38888.html

If that's the case, then you want shock-absorbing pads (耐震パッド). You can buy them from Amazon or at a home center.