Having trouble looking for the perfect romantic partner? Maybe that’s your problem…the “looking” part I mean.

On 26 March at Lieu de Vintage Mejiro in Tokyo, a unique matchmaking party will be held called Kurayami Kon. In the event 80 single men and women will be blindfolded and spend the subsequent two hours getting more acquainted with each other. It is hoped that with the element of appearance removed, romantic hopefuls can get more easily to the heart of one another.

▼ It is believed attendees will be given blindfolds rather than have their faces Gaussian blurred as this PR photo suggests.

Of course, without vision, a lot of standard ice breakers, such as “That’s a nice sweater,” are out the window. So the organizers of this event have made it into a game where attendees must work together to solve a mystery, incorporating smells, sounds, and tactile sensations.

Details on the challenge are kept under wraps, but the event is sponsored in part by the upcoming film Ankoku Joshi (Dark Girls) which follows the members of a book club. So, we can expect a similar atmosphere and literary theme there.

If this seems like your kind of shindig, hang on, there are a few things to consider.

First, this event is only for those interested in a relationship, so anyone simply into blindfold games (you know who you are) should look elsewhere. Secondly, the price is a little hefty at 4,600 yen (US$40) for women and 7,600 yen ($67) for men.

▼ Part of the fee goes towards the swanky venue…which…you…won’t actually be able to see.

Finally, male contestants must be between the ages of 23 and 28, whereas women must be between 20 and 35. Why these oddly specific age ranges were chosen is beyond me but sadly it means my 22-and-a-half-year-old buddy is SOL when it comes to Kurayami Kon.

But those for those who do qualify it could be an interesting day of introspection to see just how much stock you put into physical appearances. Granted appearance should be a factor when choosing the person you have to look at every day for the rest of you life. On the other hand, looks are also the one thing about a person that is guaranteed to diminish over time if not artificial to begin with. It is then that a mate’s respectable or regrettable qualities really come out to shine.

Just ask our own diamonds in the rough.

Event information

Kurayami Kon / 暗闇コン
Address: Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Mejiro 2-39-1, Lieu de Vintage Mejiro (Trad Mejiro 3rd floor)
東京都豊島区目白2-39-1 リュド・ヴィンテージ目白 （TRAD MEJIRO3F）
26 March, 2017
Two events: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Admission: Men – 7,600 yen, Women – 4,600 yen
Website

Source, images: PR Times
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