Valentine’s Day in Japan: It’s All About Chocolate

In some countries, Valentine’s Day is a special day when lovers give gifts to each other, or men offer flowers and other presents to their sweetheart. In Japan, it is customary that women offer chocolates to men, who only receive the gifts.

Valentine’s Day is the busiest season for chocolate makers all over Japan, making between 10 and 13 percent of their annual sales in a few days. Buying good and expensive chocolate at the most famous shops is common, but making handmade chocolate or chocolate treats is thought to convey more feelings. That is why in many shops (such as 100-yen shops), you will find all sorts of cute molds and heart-shaped decorations before Valentine’s season. And as it is often the case in Japan, the wrapping is at least as important as the gift itself, so you will also find a great selection of boxes and ribbons.

As a matter of fact, many women prefer to make the sweets themselves in order to save money!

But where does this tradition of offering chocolates come from?

The Origins of Valentine’s Day in Japan: Some Key Dates

You probably will not be surprised to know that Valentine’s Day, more than elsewhere in Japan, is a commercial celebration. Literally so: it was popularized by the chocolate-making…