I Collect Matches

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Japón Hotel

Aurora Lounge

Period

1971-1985

Aurora Lounge (1 de 3)
Aurora Lounge (2 de 3)
Aurora Lounge (3 de 3)
03

About this matchbox

This box belongs to the Aurora Lounge, the panoramic terrace of the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo. This hotel, built in 1971, is one of the pioneering skyscraper hotels of modern Japan, located in the Shinjuku district, and it remains open to this day. On the hotel's website, I found an original photo from that era, and it aligns well with the geometric design and pop-art style of the box. That's why I believe it is from this initial stage.

This is my speculation, but the dark stick matches seem like a nod to Yakisugi, that charred wood technique that seems so Japanese to me. Anyway, I think this place is amazing. I'm visiting Japan this year, and if there's time, I'll try to stop by here. It would be fantastic if they still had souvenir matchboxes.

Research clues

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Sources