Valentine’s Day in Japan : it’s women only who offer men chocolates, nothing else. Presentation:
- Valentine’s Day in Japan, Chocolate Day
- The meanings behind each Valentine’s Day chocolate
- The “Honmei” chocolate or love chocolate “本命チョコ”
- The “Tomo” chocolate or the chocolate of friendship “友チョコ”
- The “Giri” chocolate or the chocolate of obligation “義理チョコ”
- The chocolate daddy, the little girls’ chocolates for their daddy “パパチョコ “
- The white day ” ホワイトデー ” , March 14
- The gyaku chocolate 逆チョコ, the chocolate in return of Valentine’s Day>
- On Valentine’s Day in Japan, French chocolates are luxury products
Valentine’s Day in Japan, chocolate day
Valentine’s Day is also celebrated in Japan but it has a completely different meaning. Indeed, on this day of February 14th, it is the women who offer to the men a present. In this case it is chocolates. But be careful, not just any chocolates, and not only to their better half. Indeed, women can give chocolates to their friends, their colleagues, their bosses, their family members and of course their spouse.
The meanings behind each Valentine’s Day chocolate
As we have seen above, women can and in some cases should give chocolates to people around them. But each chocolate is cleverly chosen and sometimes says a lot about the intentions.
The “Honmei” chocolate or love chocolate “本命チョコ”
This chocolate is for the person for whom the Japanese woman has feelings, such as her husband, boyfriend or future boyfriend for example. In principle it is a homemade chocolate to give a personal touch and show the involvement. Japanese women being shy by nature, this is an effective way to declare their love.
Daddy chocolate, little girls’ chocolates for their daddy “パパチョコ “
This is a chocolate that little girls give to their fathers. They make it at home with the help of their mothers. Very often these chocolates are very cute and therefore very touching for whoever receives them. It is a mark of affection appreciated in Japan
You have to know that Japanese people have a huge pressure at work. Personally I think it’s a shame that these chocolates are offered by pure obligation.
For an original and authentic Valentine’s Day gift, why not try our simple Japanese recipe for white matcha chocolates? With just three ingredients, you can create chocolates just as delicious as those found in Japan.
The white day ” ホワイトデー”, March 14
1 month later, it is the turn of men to offer a present in return for the chocolates received on Valentine’s Day. They offer chocolates, jewelry or lingerie of white color. The gift given on this day is supposed to be 3 times more important than the gift received, called Sanbai gaeshi =三倍返し. This is one of the reasons why some Japanese people politely refuse the chocolates that have been offered for Valentine’s Day. This is also the day that Japanese women who have given a love chocolate to the man they covet wait patiently for. If he responds with a gift on March 14, it means he is also attracted to her.
The gyaku chocolate 逆チョコ, the chocolate in return of Valentine’s Day
Since 2008, it has been observed that some Japanese people did not wait for the white day. Indeed, on Valentine’s Day in Japan, men offer chocolates in return for their gifts to not make them wait 1 month later and show their gratitudes. These chocolates are recognizable because the packaging is deliberately printed in mirror.
On Valentine’s Day in Japan, French chocolates are luxury products
Of course these 2 holidays have a very important commercial aspect. You will see many stands dedicated to Valentine’s Day chocolates, as well as many and sometimes imposing decorations in shopping malls in Japan.
Chocolate consumption is growing in Japan. Moreover, French chocolatiers are very appreciated such as Jean-Paul Hévin, Pierre Hermé or Sébastien Bouillet who have established themselves and sell very expensive chocolates. The packaging is neat, original, like these chocolates (right) of Sébastien Bouillet in the shape of a lipstick. These chocolates have been very successful in Japan