Have you ever wondered what Valentine’s Day in Japan is like? In this article, we’re going to give you the lowdown on Valentine’s Day in Japan and how it’s celebrated. We’ll also introduce ‘White Day’ which accompanies Valentine’s Day. What Is Valentine’s Day In Japan? Discover how they celebrate Valentine's Day in Japan and the different chocolates they give and their meaning. Have you ever heard of White Day? Elevate your Valentine’s Day with a memorable dinner at elegant, Michelin-starred, and award-winning restaurants. Restaurants like Sézanne at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo or The Apollo at Tokyu Plaza Ginza are sure to impress your date, offering some of the finest dining experiences in Japan. 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. Elevate your Valentine’s Day with a memorable dinner at elegant, Michelin-starred, and award-winning restaurants. Restaurants like Sézanne at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo or The Apollo at Tokyu Plaza Ginza are sure to impress your date, offering some of the finest dining experiences in Japan. These days, in the lead up to Valentine’s Day, you can find love-themed chocolates, cafe treats and beverages everywhere. There are even restaurants advertising special Valentine’s menus, including fried chicken covered in chocolate! Valentine’s daifuku (a kind of mochi-based sweet). Source: wakanmuri from Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. On Valentine’s Day, women in Japan traditionally give gifts to men, and White Day is when men reciprocate by giving gifts to women. The gifts exchanged on White Day are typically white-colored, hence the name. It’s a day to strengthen bonds and show others that their kindness is valued. In Japan, Valentine's Day and White Day form a duo of unique traditions, imbued with romance and exchange. These celebrations, although inspired by Western customs, have evolved to reflect the uniqueness of Japanese culture. Discover their history, their specifics, and why they fascinate so many around the world. Jackets are buttoned up, flowers are presented, and candles are lit for dinner. Japan, however, turned the tables on this tender holiday! Before we get to the “what” that Japan does, let’s start with the “how” they adopted this lovey-dovey day. The origin of Valentine’s Day’s journey to the East is widely debated. Valentine’s Day in Japan is primarily marked by women giving chocolates to men, divided into ‘honmei-choco’ for romantic interests and ‘giri-choco’ for others. The celebration has adapted to include reciprocal gift-giving on White Day, a month later. White Day in Japan is a celebration that takes place every year on March 14th, and it’s complementary to Valentine’s Day, which takes place on February 14th. While Valentines Day in Japan involves women giving chocolates to men, White Day is when men have to return the favor. Take a look at the Valentine's Day sections of major Department stores such as Isetan, Marui, or Mitsukoshi, and experience the Valentine's Day in Japanese style. What is more unique in Japan is that there exists a "White Day" which takes place on March 14th, exactly one month after Valentine's Day. White Day is a Japanese custom of men treating women to gifts and dinner on March 14th each year to thank them for Valentines Day. In Japan, men generally don't give gifts on Valentines Day. Also Read: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VALENTINE'S DAY IN JAPAN. Unlike Valentine's, White Day isn't an imported tradition. It originated in Japan and was inspired by the Japanese people's unique culture. White Day was also heavily influenced by the societal norms of Japan during the late 1970s. All decked out in lovely red, white, and pink, these 10 tasty Valentines Day cookie recipes are just perfect for your Valentines sweetie! From Southern red velvet, to festive heart-shaped, to everyone's favorite chocolate and cherry combination, if you want to surprise your Valentine with some homemade treats, this collection of Valentines cookie recipes has got you covered. Just like Christmas, Valentine’s Day is another Western holiday that made its way to Japan. While the history of Valentine’s Day in the US and Europe goes back to a pagan festival that was celebrated almost 2000 years ago, lover’s day is relatively new in Japan. Valentine's Day & White Day. Of course everyone has heard of Valentine's Day, and it has become almost as big a deal here in Japan as anywhere else. Indeed it's a rare chance for the notoriously reserved Japanese people to show a bit of love. But how many of you know about White Day? No, it has nothing to do with racial pride or laundry detergent. White Day is celebrated annually on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day, when people give reciprocal gifts to those who gave them gifts on Valentine's Day. It began in Japan in 1978; its observance has spread to several other East Asian nations like China , Taiwan , South Korea and countries worldwide. Image credit: cowardlion/Shutterstock. Indulge in a leisurely soak at a natural hot spring with your loved one for a truly romantic Valentine’s Day experience in Japan. . Numerous spas offer couples the chance to enjoy the healing properties of hot springs, where water bubbles up from over 1500 metres underground, promoting relaxation and wel In Japan, Valentine’s Day celebrations are a bit different. Men and women get their own special day on which to spoil the special people in their lives. So, in addition to Valentine’s day, there is also White day happening on the 14th of March in Japan. Let’s see what White Day is in Japan and what kind of gifts Japanese women offer to men.
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