ADVERTISEMENT
Your Japan
  • TRAVEL
  • CULTURE
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FOOD
  • HOTELS
  • SHOP
No Result
View All Result
Your Japan
  • TRAVEL
  • CULTURE
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FOOD
  • HOTELS
  • SHOP
No Result
View All Result
Your Japan
No Result
View All Result

What Does “Valentine’s Day” Mean In Japan?

Josh Furr by Josh Furr
February 13, 2023
in Japanese Culture
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterPin this articleShare on LINE

Ah, it’s that time of year again where love is in the air—as well as the smell of a certain celebratory sweet. Although not a traditional Japanese event, Valentine’s Day customs have become almost as acknowledged and revered as many of the other holidays in the calendar year. So what’s it all about and what makes it different in Japan?

 

Delicious history

As is the case with holiday fervor, it started as a marketing initiative. According to the story, a Russian named Fyodor Morozoff fled to Kobe, Japan to escape the Bolshevik Revolution happening in his home country. and once in Kobe, he opened a confectionery shop in the early 1930s. He named it Cosmopolitan Confectionary and its dark delectable candy was an instant hit.

Upon hearing from an American friend that chocolates were being given as gifts on Valentine’s Day, Morozoff decided to try his hand as well. In 1935, Morozoff published the first advertisements in an English-speaking newspaper the day before Valentine’s Day and it worked. Morozoff’s chocolates not only survived World War 2, but has since rendered February synonymous with chocolate and gifts.

 

“From woman to man”

Throughout the Showa Era in the 1950s, Valentine’s Day grew in steam with advertisements popping up in Tokyo, but the most divergent shift was when the Shinjuku-based Merry Chocolate Company coined the Valentine’s phrase “From Woman To Man”, a persuasive attempt to get the majority of their female shoppers to purchase chocolate as gifts for their partners.

Moreover, it was a time of liberation among Japanese women who were urged to promote romance and love within their relationships. The slogan sunk in deep and chocolate began to fly off the shelves and into a slew of undoubtedly surprised—albeit grateful—husband’s mouths.

 

Choices of chocolate

Japan holds the monopoly on many exclusive traditions that exist only within its national boundaries, and the same holds true for Valentine’s Day. Within most of the Western world, Valentine’s Day basically exists as a holiday to express love for both respective partners, but in Japan, it’s exclusively the female’s role to provide candy for not just their mate, but most males in their lives. And boy, are there a lot of options:

Giri Choko (義理チョコ)

By far the most arduous, Giri Chocolate translates to “obligation chocolate” in Japanese, intended for all of the plutonic males in a woman’s life, including co-workers, senpai and bosses. Zero love here.

Honmei Choco (本命チョコ)

This is the gift bought by women for true lovers. In Japanese, it translates to “real” chocolate.

Jibun Choco (自分チョコ)

Every girl deserves a treat, but especially around the holidays. This is chocolate bought and enjoyed for pure personal use.

Family Chocolate (ファミチョコ)

A less stressful series of gifts bought for the male family members in a woman’s life: grandfathers, fathers, sons and brothers.

Gyaku Choco (逆チョコ)

A progressive turn, Gyaku means “reverse” in Japanese and it’s a refreshing break at Valentine’s Day for a woman. In this scenario, the man purchases chocolate for his lady-friend, much in line with the other side of the world.

Tomo Choco (友チョコ)

Perhaps the most plutonic and carefree, this chocolate is simply a gift to a lady’s gal-pal as a symbol of thanks for friendship.

 

Love hurts

Due to the sheer amount of chocolate women are expected to purchase and distribute among the people in their lives, there has been a movement to do away with giri choco. What then would this do to tradition? Worst case scenario, chocolate shops would lose a lot of business, while a best-case scenario would allow women to purchase chocolate freely for whomever they deem worthy of those most mouth-watering treats.

To this writer, Valentine’s Day has always seemed like a gimmick aimed at those who need just a little more love in their lives, but perhaps there’s more to this holiday than a simple store-front ad. It’s a designated time to express your feelings for the ones you care about. Chocolate is a delicacy—often pricey. Traditions are traditions, that’s true, but maybe it’s time for women to start enjoying Valentine’s Day instead of dreading it.

Josh Furr
+ posts

Joshua first came to Japan with his family over 10 years ago and it completely ruined his life (in the best of ways). When he’s not trying to pass the JLPT, he’s researching Japanese history, enjoying 80s J-Pop and dreaming of 牛丼. He’s currently writing, writing, writing…mostly about Japan and video games.

  • Josh Furr
    #molongui-disabled-link
    March 26, 2023
    6 Spring Foods From Around Japan 
  • Josh Furr
    #molongui-disabled-link
    japan sento
    February 12, 2023
    6 of Japan's oldest Sento (Still in operation!)
  • Josh Furr
    #molongui-disabled-link
    January 26, 2023
    Naoe Kanetsugu: The Warrior of Love
  • Josh Furr
    #molongui-disabled-link
    ponshukan sake museum niigata
    December 26, 2022
    A Warm Winter at Ponshukan - Ponshukan Sake Museum Review
ShareTweetPinShare

Related Posts

Cherry Blossom Festival Japan Hiroshima
Japan Travel

Cherry Blossom 2023 Forecast in Japan (+Map)

March 11, 2023
ZenPlus Review: A Superb Online Marketplace for Japan Lovers
Japanese Culture

ZenPlus Review: A Superb Online Marketplace for Japan Lovers

March 6, 2023
Naoe Kanetsugu: The Warrior of Love
Japanese Culture

Naoe Kanetsugu: The Warrior of Love

January 26, 2023
ponshukan sake museum niigata
Japanese Culture

A Warm Winter at Ponshukan – Ponshukan Sake Museum Review

December 26, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Booking.com
ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Now

autumn japan 2019

8 Reasons Why I Love Japan

March 7, 2022
Healthy Japanese Food Soba Noodles

Top 10 Healthy Japanese Food You Can Eat Without Moderation

February 20, 2022
yu kiroro

Kiroro – A Perfect Winter Getaway

March 7, 2022
your japan logo

Useful links

  • Submit an article
  • Advertise
  • Shop
  • Book Hotel in Japan
  • Travel Guides
  • Join our Community
🌸 When cherry blossoms bloom in Japan, people o 🌸 When cherry blossoms bloom in Japan, people of every age gather under the trees for Hanami: a time to admire, ponder, and celebrate.

📸 : @f__ayuna
A group of samurai, 1868. A group of samurai, 1868.
Spring in Kyoto 🌸 📸 : @coto.cotton Spring in Kyoto 🌸

📸 : @coto.cotton
🌸🏯 Okayama Castle, also known as "crow castl 🌸🏯 Okayama Castle, also known as "crow castle" due to its black exterior, was built in 1597 in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.

📸 : @mikanino_2016
Did you know? Japan also has its own statue of Lib Did you know? Japan also has its own statue of Liberty! It was originally erected in 1998 as a temporary tribute to Japan’s relationship with France, but the statue was so popular she was made a permanent feature in 2000. What's most interesting about the Odaiba Statue of Liberty is that she is not the only one in Japan, she also has sisters in Shimoda and Osaka.

📸 : @number_shiiix
🌸 Spring is THE best time to visit Japan. Do y 🌸 Spring is THE best time to visit Japan.

Do you agree?

📸 : @lisainjapan
Follow on Instagram

Join our newsletter and get 10% off your first order on the store!

© 2023 Your Japan ∙ Contact us ∙ Affiliate disclosure ∙ Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • TRAVEL
  • CULTURE
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FOOD
  • HOTELS
  • SHOP

© 2023 Your Japan ∙ Contact us ∙ Affiliate disclosure ∙ Privacy Policy