About 70 years ago, Japanese sweet companies had the idea of increasing sales by selling “Valentine’s Day candy.” But how could they make the holiday catch on in Japan? Let’s find out!
What is Valentine’s Day in Japan like?
From the beginning of February, almost every shop has some sort of Valentine’s Day display. And it can seem like the only colors that exist are pink, red, and chocolate brown. Entire shelves and aisles suddenly become full of Valentine’s Day candy!
Malls and department stores become crowded with shoppers seeking that perfect gift. The shops spend much time and money trying to outdo each other with advertising, sales, over-the-top displays, and custom treats. Regular packaging is replaced with heart-shaped boxes, ribbons, and wrapping services.
Some stores use bouquets of roses. Others display high-priced chocolates in glass cases. Still, others may resort to gimmicks, such as chocolate boxes the size of cars or chocolate bars as large as a serving tray! And there is no end to the many types, shapes, and packaging of treats.
Every business wants some of the millions of yen spent on Valentine’s Day candy each year. Even shops with nothing to do with sweets get in on the action! Stationery stores might have a ribbon sale. Hardware stores may suddenly put a selection of chocolates at the checkout counter. A lunch box counter might sell onigiri-shaped hearts covered in bright pink fish eggs!
What kind of Valentine’s Day candy do people enjoy?
There is no Valentine’s Day candy rule in Japan, but chocolate is the most popular! Foreign chocolate brands like KitKat and Snickers are popular on the cheaper side. Especially KitKat comes in various unusual flavors like green tea (matcha) and sweet potato. Many people make homemade chocolates for a personal touch. Making a large batch is cheap; chocolate-making supplies like molds, sprinkles, and raw chocolate are easy to find.
People also enjoy local and novelty treats. Inexpensive Japanese chocolate like “Shiroi Koibito” from Hokkaido is a good example. Ruby chocolate is also made from red cocoa beans. Its unusual berry taste is sure to be appreciated, and it is available as chocolate, ice cream, or cookies.
And, of course, there are the highly high-end brands. “DeLafée” is a Swiss chocolate that combines truffles with premium cocoa beans. Their “Golden Truffle” replaces colorful sprinkles and powdered sugar with edible gold leaf! This chocolate costs as much as 10,000 yen per piece, so consider carefully before buying the gift set!
Are you looking for delicious chocolates and treats this Valentine’s Day? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat deliverslimited-edition Japanese noodles, snacks, drinks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Christmas treats directly from Japan!
Where can I get some of the best candy for the occasion?
Harajuku Candy is an online shop with an enormous selection of candies. The site sells popular brands like Hershey’s, Reese’s, and M&M’s, but there are also unusual chocolates like cherry blossom, matcha, and chocolate-filled “marshmallow.” The prices are already low, but you can also buy wholesale to save even more!
Candy a Go Go! specializes in imported and original sweets. They sell over 100 different kinds, but you can also create customized Valentine’s Day candy. And you can purchase either online or at one of their many stores. Their colorful shops are worth an in-person visit!
Marmano Chocolate is a specialty chocolate company with a focus on quality. They sell environmentally friendly ingredients from all over the world while supporting local farmers. Their international selection of chocolate products includes raw Amazonian chocolate from Ecuador, Ariba cacao, and cocoa guayusa drink. So visit their online or Akasaka shop if you’re looking for a unique gift!
Why is Valentine’s Day candy in Japan special?
When Japanese candy companies connected Valentine’s Day to the tradition of kokuhaku, the day’s meaning became more serious. Initially, women only gave homemade honmei (“favorite”) chocolate to the men they desired.
But soon, women also began giving giri (“obligation”) chocolate to coworkers and friends. (These are the kinds of chocolates men find on their desks at work.) It also became famous for women to give tomo (“friend”) chocolate to family and female friends.
Nowadays, women spend about 5000 yen for different Valentine’s Day candy types. So it isn’t surprising that women also buy chocolate for themselves, known as jibun (“yourself”) chocolate. Luckily, women receive gifts one month later on White Day. And these gifts must be several times the value of the chocolate they gave!
What do you think of Japanese Valentine’s Day customs? Are there any good ideas or shops for Valentine’s Day candy that should have been mentioned? Leave a comment below!
When Japanese candy companies connected Valentine's Day to the tradition of kokuhaku, the day's meaning became more serious. Initially, women only gave homemade honmei (“favorite”) chocolate to the men they desired.But soon, women also began giving giri (“obligation”) chocolate to coworkers and friends.
History. On Valentine's Day in Japan, giri choco is inexpensive chocolate that women give to male co-workers and friends to show appreciation and respect as opposed to honmei choco, chocolate that is given to romantic partners.
White Day is celebrated annually on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day, when people give reciprocal gifts to those who gave them gifts on Valentine's Day. It began in Japan in 1978; its observance has spread to several other East Asian nations like China, Taiwan, South Korea and countries worldwide.
In Japan, where it's believed to have originated, White Day is meant to be a day for lovers (typically men) to give gifts (typically chocolates or sweets) to their partners (typically women) who previously gave them gifts on Valentine's Day, as a gesture of reciprocation. Here's what to know about White Day.
It depends on your relationship with the girl, if she is just a good friend it simply means you adore her and got chocolates for her maybe to lift her mood or it was just a token of appreciation of your friendship , nothing very significant .
It means a boyishly handsome guy. A man with a sweet face and charming smile. Girls get attracted to them like chocolates. His face is attractive but not rugged and sharp like body builders or matured men.
Valentine's Day in Japan is very much centred on confectionery. The day was originally brought to Japan by Kobe confectioners Morozoff, and marketed to overseas residents. In the Japanese version of the day, the general rule is that men receive gifts of chocolate from the women in their lives.
But in some other countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the day is banned due to the day's conflicting views with the Islamic culture. Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine's Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine's Day) are banned in Iran.
Japanese Valentine's Day chocolate is special for its distinction between "giri-choco" and "honmei-choco." Giri-choco is meant for friends, colleagues, and family, symbolizing social obligation, while honmei-choco is given to express romantic love, often being homemade or of higher quality.
Consider the nature of your relationship with the girl in question. If you share a friendly and open rapport, a chocolate gift might be well-received. However, if your interactions are strictly professional, it's essential to maintain a level of formality.
Emperor Jinmu, Japan's first emperor, is said to have first made candy to bring happiness to people and peace to the country with its sweet taste. Candy became more widespread as part of people's lives in the Edo Period (1603–1867) when they were eaten as sweets by the common people.
Unlike the various gift options in Western countries, Japan associates Valentine's Day with giving chocolates and just the right amount to show your feelings. From January until Valentine's Day, Japanese chocolate makers sell chocolates to help women “kokuhaku” or confess feelings.
As mentioned earlier in this article, men do not typically give gifts on Valentine's Day in Japan. Some may participate in tomo choco (the friendship chocolates, mentioned above), but again, that is up to the individual.
A new survey by One Poll showed that half of men questioned expected their partner to put in max effort for Valentine's Day. Only 36% of women felt the same. In Today's Talker — it seems men care more about Valentine's Day than women do.
Honmei choco ("true feeling chocolate") in Japan is chocolate given by women on Valentine's Day to men whom the giver has romantic feelings for. This is often given to husbands, boyfriends, and prospective boyfriends.
Regular, moderate consumption is linked with reduced risks of heart diseases and stroke, attributed to its ability to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels whilst increasing 'good' HDL cholesterol.
Chocolate gift has a strong symbolic meaning, that of love, passion, care and, happy life. It is a great simple gift that can surprise your partner and make them feel special.
In women, according to numerous studies, cravings for chocolate seem to correspond to hormone changes (menstruation, pregnancy etc). Women also suffer a serotonin decrease in the week before menstruation that leads to a fall in other hormones in their systems this in turn leads to a craving for chocolate.
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