Entertainment, Lifestyle

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Japanese Style

Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide as a day of love, romance, and heartfelt gestures. But did you know that the origin of Valentine’s Day lies in two Valentines who were executed for promoting love? But those executions didn’t go in vain. Read on to know how this double whammy became a double celebration.

In Japan, the love doesn’t end on February 14. Instead, there is a unique tradition that extends the celebration to March 14, known as White Day. This means that you can celebrate love not once, but twice! Let’s take a deep dive into how Japan celebrates Valentine’s Day, and how you can embrace this fascinating cultural twist.

  1. Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide as a day of love, romance, and heartfelt gestures. But did you know that the origin of Valentine’s Day lies in two Valentines who were executed for promoting love? But those executions didn’t go in vain. Read on to know how this double whammy became a double celebration.
  2. 1. Honmei Choco (“Favorite Chocolate”)
  3. 2. Giri Choco (“Obligation Chocolate”)
  4. 3. Tomo Choco (“Friend Chocolate”)
  5. 4. Gyaku Choco (“Reverse Chocolate”)
  6. 5. Jibun Choco (“Self Chocolate”)
  7. Popular White Day Gifts

The Origins of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is rooted in ancient history. It is named after a Roman priest, Valentine, who lived in the third century. During the rule of Emperor Claudius II, young men were prohibited from marrying because the emperor believed single men made better soldiers. Valentine defied this order and secretly performed marriages. When the emperor discovered this, he sentenced Valentine to death.

Another legend suggests that Valentine was imprisoned for aiding persecuted Christians. While in jail, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter and sent her a note signed “Your Valentine.” While the true origins remain unclear, Valentine’s name became synonymous with love and romance.

The date of celebration also has a mysterious past. Some claim February 14 marks Valentine’s burial around 270 AD. Others believe the church chose this day to Christianize the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. During this festival, Roman priests performed fertility rituals, and young men and women paired up for courtship, often leading to marriage.

In England and France during the Middle Ages, February 14 was believed to be the start of the bird mating season, making it the perfect day for love. Geoffrey Chaucer even referenced this in his 1382 poem, Parlement of Foules: “For this was on seynt Volantynys day/ Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.”

The Evolution of Valentine’s Traditions

The first recorded Valentine’s greeting was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. King Henry V even hired a writer, John Lydgate, to pen a Valentine’s note to Catherine of Valois.

By the 19th century, Valentine’s cards became widespread, thanks to Esther A. Howland, known as the “Mother of Valentine” in America. Inspired by a European Valentine she received, she started producing ornate cards with lace, ribbons, and intricate designs.

Today, Valentine’s Day is a global celebration filled with chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt expressions of love.

Valentine’s Week: A Countdown to Love

The celebrations begin a week before Valentine’s Day:

  • February 7 – Rose Day: Express your emotions with roses of different colors. Red for love, yellow for friendship, pink for admiration, and white for purity.
  • February 8 – Propose Day: A perfect day to confess your love or propose marriage.
  • February 9 – Chocolate Day: Sweeten the bond with chocolates.
  • February 10 – Teddy Day: Gifting a teddy bear symbolizes warmth and affection.
  • February 11 – Promise Day: Strengthen relationships with meaningful promises.
  • February 12 – Hug Day: Hugs bring comfort and joy.
  • February 13 – Kiss Day: Express your passion with a loving kiss.
  • February 14 – Valentine’s Day: A grand celebration of love with special gestures.

How Japan Celebrates Valentine’s Day

Japan has a unique take on Valentine’s Day. Instead of men giving gifts, it is the women who take the initiative by giving chocolates. There are different types of chocolates, each with its own meaning:

Photo by James Collington on Pexels.com

1. Honmei Choco (“Favorite Chocolate”)

Honmei Choco is given to significant others or someone a woman is romantically interested in. These chocolates are often handmade to show effort and sincerity.

2. Giri Choco (“Obligation Chocolate”)

Giri Choco is given to male colleagues, bosses, and friends as a polite gesture. These are usually store-bought and are not romantic in nature.

3. Tomo Choco (“Friend Chocolate”)

Tomo Choco is exchanged between friends, both male and female, as a sign of appreciation and friendship.

4. Gyaku Choco (“Reverse Chocolate”)

A rare practice where men gift chocolates to women on Valentine’s Day, though it is not common in Japan.

5. Jibun Choco (“Self Chocolate”)

For those who love chocolates, Jibun Choco is an excuse to buy chocolates for themselves!

White Day: The Sweet Return

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is a one-sided affair, but a month later, men reciprocate the gesture on March 14, known as White Day. This tradition began in the 1980s when confectionery companies promoted the idea that men should return the favor by gifting chocolates, sweets, or flowers.

White Day gifts are often expected to be twice or three times the value of what was received on Valentine’s Day. Failing to reciprocate, especially if a man received Honmei Choco, is seen as impolite and could even signify rejecting the relationship.

  • Chocolates and Sweets: White chocolates, marshmallows, and cookies are popular choices.
  • Flowers: White roses symbolize innocence and pure love.
  • Jewelry and Accessories: Many opt for elegant gifts to impress their significant other.

Celebrate Valentine’s the Japanese Way

Want to try something different this year? Here’s how you can celebrate Valentine’s Day the Japanese way:

  1. Gift Chocolates: If you’re a woman, surprise your loved one with homemade or high-quality chocolates.
  2. Observe White Day: If you received chocolates, return the favor on March 14 with a thoughtful gift.
  3. Explore Japanese Dining: Celebrate with sushi, sake, or a cozy ramen date.
  4. Learn a Japanese Love Phrase: Say “Aishiteru (愛してる)” (pronounced pronounced as ah-ee-shee-teh-roo) to express deep love.

Whether you follow traditional Valentine’s customs or embrace the Japanese double celebration, love is always worth celebrating. So, why settle for one day when you can have two?

Happy Valentine’s and White Day!

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

31 thoughts on “Celebrate Valentine’s Day Japanese Style”

      1. This was such an interesting read Ambica. I wasn’t aware of the history behind Valentine’s Day, like how it’s connected to Emperor Claudius or the bird mating season theory. It’s amazing to see how the tradition has evolved and how different cultures celebrate love in their own special ways.

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  3. Learning about the Japanese way of celebrating Vday was so fascinating!
    Its nice that the festival is balanced for both the sexes , both can get chocolates ( Vday and White Day).

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  4. Very interesting post! Learnt both about the legends around the origin of Valentines Day as well as Japanese style of celebrating! It is lovely to see and understand cultural practices of different countries (even if fairly new like the White Day!)

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  7. I really like the idea of Giri Choco, Tomo Choco and Jibun Choco, so why should lovers have all the fun 😛
    And like Japan, I feel, the rest of the world should have the reverse where women gift men on 14th March. 😀

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  9. This was such a fun and interesting read! I had no idea Japan celebrates love in such a unique way, and the concept of White Day makes it even more special. Now I feel like I need to try gifting chocolates the Japanese way next year!

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  11. Such a love-filled blog but also rooted in practicality and reciprocity. Trust the Japanese to come up with something unique. I’m a big fan of any days set aside for relationships. Yet, I enjoy reading about them, and your fairly comprehensive write-up on V-day was a great read. I didn’t know about the week leading up to V-day!

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  12. Japan is an interesting place with unique culture. It always have their own spin on evrything. Yet personally, I find whole Valentine’s week/day celebration is a huge success of consumerism. If you don’t do any such thing for remaining 358 days, these 7-days declaration of love feels so hollow and shallow. Relationships are like a blooming garden, you have to tend to it every single day.

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  13. This was such a fascinating read! I love how Japan has turned Valentine’s Day into a two-step celebration—it makes the whole thing feel more thoughtful and less one-sided. The idea of Jibun Choco is my favorite because why should love be limited to just couples? A little self-love in the form of chocolate sounds perfect. Now I’m wondering if we should start a White Day tradition everywhere—fair’s fair, right?

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  15. Interesting custom. It has been a while since I and my husband exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts though. He doesn’t believe in it. Could become a good marketing gimmick if this becomes popular in India!

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  17. I had heard of the second story of Valentine where he was imprisoned and had signed a letter in his name. Loved the Japanese chocolates you mentioned. Should try them I guess, being a chocolate lover that I am.

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