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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Valentine’s Day in Japan

Valentine’s Day in Japan is very different from anywhere else in the world. Valentine’s Day is on February 14th but it is all about the chocolates in Japan. The tradition in Japan is for the girls to give chocolates to the boys. It is totally up to the girls to show who they like by presenting them with chocolate. The favour is returned to the girls on a special day called White Day, which is celebrated on March 14th.

Types of chocolate giving on Valentine’s Day


Giri-choco (義理チョコ) obligation chocolate given to male friends, work mates, family and bosses. Giri means ("obligation") in Japanese and choko, ("chocolate"). There is no romantic association with giri-choco and it is just chocolate that you have to give to people. These are usually brought from a store and can range in price from 500 yen to 1000 yen.

Honmei-choco (本命チョコ) – chocolates for that special one who you want to express your love to such as boyfriend, lover or husband. This type of chocolate is special, so it is usually handmade by the girls themselves or is a really expensive chocolate from a store, often presented together with a gift. You are very lucky if you can get honmei-choco on Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate is the most popular gift for Valentine’s Day in Japan and stores will be fully stocked with all sorts of chocolate days and weeks before the actual day. If you usually leave it to the last minute like me then you will have to join the long queues at the store and it is almost like the Boxing Day sales back home.

I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day in 2012 and receive lots of honmei-choco :)

This is my submission to the February 2012 J-Festa Valentine's Day in Japan

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18 comments:

  1. linaFebruary 9, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    I read over at FB that there's a call to stop the celebration of Valentine's Day in Japan?

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    1. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 9, 2012 at 9:56 AM

      Thanks Lina, I haven't heard that! Very interesting!! I don't think the chocolate companies would like that very much. Care to share the link?

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    2. HaikugirlFebruary 12, 2012 at 8:57 AM

      Lina - do you remember what the reason was?!
      Japan-Australia - another excellent post. Thanks! (^_^)v

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    3. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 12, 2012 at 9:31 AM

      Thanks Haikugirl, I really enjoyed your post on Valentine's Day as well :)

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  2. RuroushaFebruary 9, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    The male teachers at my eikaiwa always get lots of chocolate from their female students. Then the female teachers eat it! :D

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    1. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:32 PM

      Thanks Rurousha, Yeah, that used to be the case at my eikaiwa, but we got to eat the chocolates :)

      How are you going with your giri-choco shopping? Do you have to buy a lot this year?

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    2. RuroushaFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:40 AM

      I seldom abuse my status as ignorant foreigner, but on Valentine's Day I do! There's no way I'm buying giri-choco! The only man who gets chocolate from me is The Hero, and only if he promises to share it with me. :D

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    3. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 10, 2012 at 9:37 AM

      I like your plan Rurousha, Sounds like you have thought long and hard about it :) I hope The Hero gets some nice chocolate this year and you two can enjoy it together just the way Valentine's Day should be :)

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    i have noticed that! but either way, it's a holiday for love :)

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    1. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:33 PM

      Thanks for the comment Arrow, Yes, it is a time of romance and love :)

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  4. VinayFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:34 PM

    I am also looking to celebrate my Valentine day with my loved one, by the way your blog has really some great ideas regarding Valentine day, Thank you.

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    1. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:44 PM

      Thank you Vinay, I appreciate the positive feedback and hope you have a great Valentine's Day with your loved one :)

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  5. cocominoFebruary 10, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    I'm looking forward to eating chocolate from my daughters (and my wife).

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    1. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 11, 2012 at 8:42 AM

      Thanks Coco, I hope you get a good haul this year. Enjoy :)

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  6. LisaFebruary 11, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    I hope someone gives me chocolates!

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    1. Japan-AustraliaFebruary 11, 2012 at 3:50 PM

      Thanks Lisa, I hope you get some chocolates as well :)

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  7. jonwayMay 15, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    I think Japanese Valentine`s day is special.
    On Valentine`s day, chocolate from the girls to guys.
    On white day, the guys to the girls.

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    1. Japan-AustraliaMay 16, 2012 at 9:53 AM

      Thanks Jonway, It is different and the chocolate companies love it as two days for big chocolate sales. Just watch out for those Giri-choco :)

      John

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