UPDATE | February 07, 2020

[Japanese culture] Valentine's Day unique to Japan, not just for lovers

February 14 is a romantic day for people in many countries. This day is known as a lover's day. Most couples date on this day or go for a sumptuous meal. Men tend to give gifts to men from Valentine's Day, and popular gifts often include chocolate and red roses. Some people confess their feelings to the people they like on this day. But in Japan, this day is not just a special day for couples. So let's take a look at Japan's unique Valentine's Day.

● Japanese Valentine's Day gifts

On Valentine's Day, as in other countries, Japan also gives chocolates to other people as gifts. However, in most cases, women will give to men. Many people seem to make chocolate. It seems that some people make packaging materials that are particular about chocolate wrapping as well as chocolate. This is a deeper feeling for your opponent.

● Can I give presents on Valentine's Day even if I'm not my lover?

Even if you are not lovers, you can give presents on this day! You will be surprised! In Japan, friends give chocolates to each other, and their fathers, siblings, friends and colleagues also give chocolates on this day.

How do you think the man who received it knows how the woman who gave her chocolate gave me the chocolate? As a matter of fact, Japanese Valentine has two meanings, “favorite chocolate” and “giri-choco”.

In "chocolate of choice", women carefully choose or handcraft chocolate to convey their feelings to those who favor women. “Giri-choco” expresses the feeling of “thank you” to the people who usually take care of them, and often gives the same chocolate to everyone. The amount of money is also different between "Favorite Chocolate" and "In-law Chocolate", and even when handmade, the material may be different.

There is such a culture in Japan. Men who received chocolate from a female friend on Valentine's Day in Japan, please don't mistake women's feelings.

● White Day

Some would argue, "If you give a lot of people chocolate, Japanese women are very prepared and are they losing?" In fact, there are days when Japanese men give gifts to women. One month later, March 14 is White Day. On this day, men give gifts to women in return for the chocolate they received on Valentine's Day.

In addition to chocolate, sweets with cute designs such as cookies and candies are also available, and sweets for gifts are sold at various shops during Valentine's Day and White Day. In addition, return is divided into "favorite" and "in-law".

It's a good chance to tell your feelings to a woman who has shown you favors on Valentine's Day!