Which hotels/bars/restaurants/shops hand out matchbooks in Japan?

May 24, 2023 7:55 AM

I want to add to my matchbook souvenir collection during an upcoming trip to Japan. Do you know places that hand out branded matchbooks in the Tokyo/Kyoto/Ishikawa or Toyama region?
posted by schamper to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (2 answers total)

Fellow match collector here.

The most common objects handed out in my Japanese experiences are advertising-bedecked packets of tissue; nobody's handing out matches. My first trip I saw actual cigarette samples being handed out (Peace brand) in Tokyo but that was a long time ago, doubt if that would fly today. However it's still a smokey country and you'll find lots of matches available at the cash register in restaurants and at the hotel reception; even in your hotel room (unless it's non-smoking). Ask, if you don't see any.

PS Also watch for boxes of matches, in unexpected sizes.
posted by Rash at 12:55 PM on May 24, 2023 [1 favorite]

I don't recall ever seeing matchbooks in Japan - most people use lighters. Also, overall smoking rates have dropped quite a bit - maybe by half since 2000. The rate of smokers in the adult population is lower in Japan than in the US according to most sources I've seen.
posted by Umami Dearest at 12:31 AM on May 25, 2023