Inadvertent or not, it’s a sobering reminder that not all relationships last forever.
A unique way of advertising in Japan is to hand out what’re called “pocket tissues,” free plastic-wrapped packets of tissues bearing the name, logo, and website of the company distributing them. You’ll often see people passing out pocket tissues to passersby in front of train stations, at busy intersections or other places where there’s a high volume of pedestrian traffic.
Because of their low cost to produce, pocket tissues are an especially popular marketing choice for companies that don’t have the budget to put up billboards or air ads on TV. Dating services, for example, are fond of passing out packets emblazoned with photos of alluring singles or happy couples, and it’s the latter that seems to be depicted on this pack picked up by Japanese Twitter user @2nd_noho.
It’s actually a pretty sweet image, and the use of silhouettes allows both men and women looking at it to project themselves and their ideal match onto the shadowy couple. Plus the way that they’re holding hands, as opposed to pressing their bodies together or locking lips, suggests a comfortable and accepting relationship, not just a momentary flash of physical attraction.
However, maybe the image’s graphic designer isn’t really sold on the idea of love lasting forever, because should you ever open the packet to get at the tissues inside, the once-loving pair is forcibly and irreversibly separated.
https://twitter.com/2nd_noho/status/736535015001985025
“The person who thought up this design holds a deep darkness in his heart,” concluded @2nd_noho. We don’t know if we’d go that far, but at the very least, it looks like the designer could use a little romance in his life, so hopefully in addition to getting paid for his artwork, the company also hooked him up with a free trial of their dating service.
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he probably won’t break your heart. Probably.
Source: Hamster Sokuho, Twitter/@2nd_noho

New smartphone game allows you to date the man, monkey, or dessert of your dreams
Japanese company will ask your crush out on a date for you if you’re too shy to do it yourself
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Japan’s foreign resident population hits record high as Japanese population hits record low
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】