Japanese Valentine’s Day Gift Giving: A Guide to Valentine’s Chocolate in Japan, From Friendship to Romance
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Anyone familiar with the more romantic variety of Japanese anime will recognize Valentine’s Day as a holiday filled with love, heartfelt confessions, and plenty of sweet treats. Unlike most countries that celebrate Valentine’s Day, February 14th in Japan is usually seen as a special occasion for women take the initiative to express their feelings to the men they admire, often with a carefully chosen (or homemade) box of chocolates. Traditions have evolved over the years, and the holiday’s concrete gender roles have given way a little to allow more flexibility, but now more than ever, Valentine’s Day is seen as a chance to convey your love and admiration to those who mean the most to you. The chocolate gifts have changed with the times, as well, with shops presenting a new and dazzling variety of chocolates every year, offering up exquisite designs, unique flavors, and special limited-edition products – from classic samplers to kawaii tins of Pokemon treats. Even as the traditions evolve, chocolate remains the perfect way to express affection on this romantic day, given to a loved one, a friend, or even purchased as an indulgent little treat for yourself!
CONTENTS
Is Japanese Valentine’s Chocolate Reserved for Romantic Confessions?
Valentine’s Day in Japan is not just for couples! Over time, chocolate has taken on a broader significance beyond pure romance romance. Gifting a box of chocolates is no longer an equal equivelant to a confession of love – as social customs evolve, the act of giving chocolate has diversified. So this year, choose the right chocolate for the right recipient, and let your feelings be known!
Honmei Chocolate (本命チョコ)
This is what you might call “true love chocolate,” and for those in Japan who take Valentine’s Day seriously, it might be the most important gift given all year! Since honmei chocolate is meant to represent deep romantic affection, the sweets given are often handmade, carefully decorated, or generally rather extravagant. This type of chocolate is reserved for the person you cherish most, so it’s generally purchased with your husband or boyfriend (or other beloved) in mind. If you haven’t started dating yet, giving someone a gift that is clearly honmei chocolate can be a bold yet sweet way to confess feelings! If the recipient shares the giver’s feelings, it’s tradition to return the gesture on White Day (March 14th) with a heartfelt gift… of equal or greater value!
Giri Chocolate (義理チョコ)
With a name that literally means “obligation chocolate,” you might be able to tell that this type of gift is given out of courtesy rather than romantic interest. Often exchanged between colleagues or other acquaintances, giri chocolate is a fairly common social custom in Japan, where maintaining harmonious relationships is highly valued. Giving a small gift of chocolate in this way is a thoughtful yet neutral way to show appreciation without romantic implications.
Tomo Chocolate (友チョコ)
Tomo means “friend,” and this type of chocolate is exchanged between friends – a more recent tradition that has especially blossomed among women. Tomo chocolate has really grown in popularity in recent years, and for those who truly treasure their friends, the level of enthusiasm can sometimes surpass that of honmei chocolate! It’s a fun and joyous way to celebrate friendship – sometimes it’s just more exciting to share sweet treats with your besties!
Gyaku Chocolate (逆チョコ)
Since women giving men chocolate has been the most common pattern for the past few decades, when men give women chocolate on Valentine’s Day it can be referred to as “gyaku chocolate,” literally “reverse chocolate.” It’s still relatively uncommon, making it an unusual but sweet reversal of roles.
Jibun Chocolate (自分チョコ)
This category is all about self-love! Variously called “jibun chocolate” (self chocolate), “reward chocolate,” or even “princess chocolate,” this variety of Valentine’s chocolate is a way for people to celebrate the holiday on their own, indulging with luxurious chocolates as a personal treat. Whether there’s a special someone in your life or not, you deserve all the delicious chocolates in the world, so go ahead – treat yourself!
A Holiday Shaped by Japanese Culture
While Valentine’s Day in Japan has undoubtedly been shaped by commercial influences, it has also become a meaningful opportunity for self-expression in a culture where people often hesitate to vocalize their emotions. Whether confessing to a secret crush or simply showing appreciation to friends and colleagues, Valentine’s Day day provides a socially accepted chance to openly share heartfelt feelings. The perfect mix of bitter and sweet, just like a good piece of chocolate!
For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!
Original Article in Chinese by Shan Tseng
English Edition by Sophia Appelbaum
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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