This tradition is slowly changing, but it is still different from how other countries celebrate. Valentine’s Day in Japan has a unique history and customs that many foreigners find interesting. According to the Japan Chocolate & Cocoa Association, this custom started in the 1950s. How did the celebration of Valentine’s Day begin in Japan? Valentine’s Day was first celebrated in Japan in the late 1950s after a confectionery company began promoting heart-shaped chocolates as a Western tradition. Since then, the celebration has evolved, incorporating unique twists that make it distinctively Japanese. White Day in Japan (March 14th) Now, if you were thinking, “that’s a little unfair that the guys get all the gifts!” – don’t worry, because just a month later, on March 14th is when men are supposed to reciprocate all the love they received on Valentine’s Day. The Evolution of Valentine’s Day in Japan. The earliest instance of Valentine’s Day in Japan came in 1935, when chocolate brand Morozoff, run by a Russian national out of Kobe, consciously decided to introduce the custom to the country. Morozoff began selling chocolate packaged in heart-shaped boxes, marketing them as sweethearts, “to Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th, while White Day in Japan is celebrated a month later, on March 14th. White Day was not actually established until the 1980s , when the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association successfully campaigned to implement a ‘reply day’ for men to reciprocate the presents they received As a matter of fact, Valentine's Day in Japan takes place in two steps: Valentine's Day (on February 14, initiated around 1958, by the confectionary brand Morinaga 森永); White Day (on March 14, a month later, initiated during the 1970's). Valentine's Day : gifts from women to men Men/people who received chocolate on Valentine’s Day are expected to return the favor by gifting chocolate to women/Valentine’s Day chocolate givers. White Day was not really a thing in Japan until the 1980s, and the color white is thought to be associated with purity, especially when it comes to innocent teenage love in Japanese culture. History of Valentine's Day in Japan. It isn't clear how Valentine's started in Japan. Different companies argue they were the first to bring the holiday to the country. Most Japanese sources believe Valentine's Day was first introduced to Japan in the 1930s by Morozoff Ltd, a Kobe-based confectionery. Japanese Valentine’s Day Traditions. Wondering how Japanese celebrate Valentine’s Day? It all melts down to one thing. December 24 th is a romantic celebration where couples and singletons go on dates and give gifts – Valentine’s Day is different. Chocolate is predominantly how Japanese people celebrate Valentine’s Day. White Day began in 1978 when a Japanese company introduced “Marshmallow Day” in an effort to promote their marshmallows. They encouraged men to buy marshmallows for women who gave them gifts on Valentine’s Day. Now, on March 14th, men buy gifts for the women who gifted them chocolate on Valentine’s Day. In Japan, it is only the women who give presents (mainly chocolates) to men on Valentine's Day. Learn more about how the Japanese celebrate the day of love. In most places celebrating Valentine’s Day, women can expect chocolates, flowers and a romantic dinner from their partner. However, in Japan, it’s the opposite: women give chocolates to the men in their lives—from their boyfriends to their coworkers—although not all chocolates are equal. The special men in their lives receive honmei choco, “true feeling” chocolates, while Department stores and supermarkets dedicate entire sections to Valentine’s Day gifts in the weeks leading up to February 14th. White Day. In response to Valentine’s Day, Japan has also established “White Day” on March 14th. On this day, men who received chocolates are expected to return the favor by giving gifts to the women who gave In general, Valentine’s Day (or a similar holiday) is celebrated almost all around the world. There are just 8 places that refrain from honoring this holiday. What countries don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day? Uzbekistan – interestingly enough, Valentine’s Day was celebrated in Uzbekistan until 2021, when it was banned with an official There are many countries around the world that celebrate Valentine’s Day or lovers day every February 14th. Although deeply rooted in its culture and traditions, Japan has also proved to be a country that is enormously open to adopting other festivities and incorporating them with its own, such as Halloween or Christmas. Unique Traditions of Valentine’s Day in Japan . As much as the history of Valentine’s Day is interesting, there is some surprising tradition on this day. Let’s take a look at how actually Japanese celebrate Valentine’s Day! Girls Give Chocolate to Boys. In Western culture, it is common for boys to give gifts to girls. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to connect with that special someone in your life, but did you know that the 14th of February is celebrated differently in Japan? Discover how Valentine’s Day works in Japanese culture, and learn about White Day, the traditional alternative celebrated a month later. The history of Valentine’s day Valentine’s Day in Japan dates back to the 1950s, and Department stores and supermarkets dedicate entire sections to Valentine’s Day gifts in the weeks leading up to February 14th. White Day. In response to Valentine’s Day, Japan has also established “White Day” on March 14th. On this day, men who received chocolates are expected to return the favor by giving gifts to the women who gave On March 14, exactly a month after Valentine's Day, Japanese men return the favor on a day known as "White Day". According to stories, White Day was created some time in the 70s after many women expressed exhaustion over the heavy - not to mention, costly - burden of Valentine's Day gifting. On February 14th, the guys take it easy while the women prepare days in advance. Wanna know how to celebrate Valentine’s Day the Japanese way? History of Valentine’s Day in Japan. As mentioned earlier, the current celebration of Valentine’s Day is a relatively new tradition in Japan.
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